Hummingbird Shaman

For those who have yet to see this amazing video, the nature channel has the most wonderful show on hummingbirds, giving great insight into the movement and life of the hummingbird. This video can be seen on PBS Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air.

This morning the hummingbirds are with me, even though I have yet to look out the window. An article I have written about hummingbird spirits has posted on the website Intuitive Meaning.

Spring is in the air, at least in this corner of the world, and the hummingbirds are preparing for expansion. Two males show tail feather fanned out, and make sounds you would not expect from such a little bird, all in an attempt to secure a place in the world of the female who sits calmly on her branch.

Today is a wonderful day, one worthy of a walk, and perhaps a hummingbird encounter. What might be said for these little spriits? “Walk with Wings, let every step along the way be filled with passion.”

On a more humorous note: I was gifted a nice purple feeder after the hummingbirds in that location refused to feed from it. Fine, I thought, so I brought it home. Cleaned and filled with fresh nectar the new feeder was soon in place. Once I saw a hummingbird feeding from it, once. It must be the color. I finally decided it was time to try again, so I purchased a bottle of red finger nail polish and proceeded to paint the flowers red. Plenty of time to dry and allow the chemicals to evaporate, and fresh feed, and again no show. I’ve even tried switching places of the preferred feeder and the new one. Perhaps as the springtime population grows I will give this new feeder another chance, or more precisely, maybe the hummingbirds will give it a chance.

Hummingbird Shaman Editor and Author Estee Taschereau offers clear, compassionate assistance to individuals who seek to understand their own path and abilities. Phone sessions are available in the US, as well as sessions via Skype.

I feel very fortunate that the hummingbirds stay home, close to my home, year round. We do not have severe winter conditions, but we do have times when its freezing, or times it snows. Those days may or may not have passed for this year. I focus only on this day, with its sunshine and spring-like conditions.

The hummingbirds have been active at the feeder, and I have seen many other birds that I do not regularly see. I take this as a reminder that the feeders be filled.

Such a great day cannot pass without a little time outside, so I brought the dog to the nearly creek for a walk. My last time at the creek I was greeted by a hummingbird, the first time I had seen one along that particular trail. Today I called out, but there was no familiar chattering sounds, and no hovering over the tree tops.

As I returned home I did here the frantic sounding voice I knew was a hummingbird. I looked all around but could not seen who was calling. Then I stepped back enough to see a hovering presence high in the air. As I spotted him he rose high into the sky, and dived quickly in a downward and forward curve directly toward me. He stopped again close to the area where I initially saw him, then repeated the entire process: Straight up, stop, and dive in an arc.

He repeated this act three times, but this time I noticed something different. There was a loud sound, much louder than any I had ever here a hummingbird make. I can only describe it as the type of sound I could expect from a hawk, a crisp, short tone. I had only recently learned that this sound was not created vocally, but by the fast diving action, somewhat like a “sonic boom”.

This day has been filled with so many great moments, but this simple experience will be the one I will remember.

Hummingbird Shaman Editor and Author Estee Taschereau offers clear, compassionate assistance to individuals who seek to understand their own path and abilities. Phone sessions are available in the US, as well as sessions via Skype. Visit IntuitiveMeaning.com for more articles on totem spirits and shamanism.

Today feels charged. I woke to a sunny day, not something that happens often in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy it while it is here. As I transitioned into work, and writing, I positioned myself in a place that gives me the best of everything: big windows, sunlight streaming in, and full view of hummingbird feeders front and back.

The past few days certainly have had that early spring-like feel. Though its only in the 50’s it feels warm. A breeze blew the night before, with a light tropical feel to it. Could spring be just around the corner?

As I type I catch glimmers of movement out the corner of my eye. A hummingbird rests at the feeder, head darting back and forth before drinking any nectar. Suddenly another approaches, and its clear to see that an intruder had been discovered. Off they fly, the territory once more secured.

At the rate that this nectar is disappearing I would say that the population of hummingbirds in this area has increased. I appreciate these high-populations times, though keeping the feeders full is challenging on some days.

As I fall deeper into my thoughts, eyes on the screen, I pick up movement at the window. From the initial impression I thought a raptor was ready to knock on the door. No, it was the hummingbird for another belly full of nectar. His presence was huge! He turned to me, then quickly flew away. “I’m living”, was the message in his movement, “What better way to understand what life has to offer”.

Hummingbird Shaman Editor and Author Estee Taschereau offers clear, compassionate assistance to individuals who seek to understand their own path and abilities. Phone sessions are available in the US, as well as sessions via Skype. Visit IntuitiveMeaning.com for more articles on totem spirits and shamanism.

It’s true: Alliances mean everything. A few weeks back we’d had freezing weather, and its unusual that our temperatures stay below freezing during daylight hours. Even with these drops in temperature there are at least two hummingbirds that remain. As I typed this story I look out the window to see the alpha male perched near the window at his “hiding place”, watching over his territory.

With this freezing weather it was challenging to keep the content of the feeders in a liquid state. I know with rabbits it is suggested to add a little bit of food-grade alcohol to the water to keep it from freezing, not with the intent to get the little four leggers intoxicated! I refused to try any such technique with the hummingbirds.

Each evening after the last feeding session at dusk I would take the feeders inside. This is easier and quicker than trying to thaw them in the morning when fast-winged hummingbirds are anxious for the life sustaining nectar. The only challenge was getting the feeders outside as early as possible each morning.

This early morning connection seems easy, but during those last few days I have been finishing the design phase for my new book, “Being Here Now”, with the support and help of a most amazing branding specialist and designer. Talk about alliances! For the most part we have been handling our own tasks individually, but our work hours seem to mutually carry deep into the night, which means offset sleeping hours.

Along comes Angie, bringing about an unusual alliance. Angie is normally a quiet dog, and she will stay on her bed as long as I remain in my own. These last few days have been the exception: At daybreak I’d find her trotting down the hall. I choose not to follow. Next thing I know Angie would be barking. As I got up and look down the hallway I would see her facing me instead of the door, with great determination in her eyes and conviction in her muscular body. “Open the door”, she conveys. Of course I cannot help but notice the feeders that await, hung in an obvious location by the door.

We’ve recently celebrated Thanksgiving, a time to share appreciation. We’ve had our holiday month, a time of giving and receiving, or a time of giving back. The alliance shown between dog and hummingbird says it all, that we can support and honor one another with the simple little things we do. As we move forward into our new year, our new decade, and our longing for spring, let’s not forget to care for one-another.

Happy New Year, everyone – welcome to 2010.
Estee Taschereau
Hummingbird Shaman

It’s been a while since I have posted on the hummingbirds. Changes in my living and working space has created some separation. Most often, though, it is within our heart and our head that we create any division.

At least two hummingbirds remain as the seasons change, each one owning their own feeder, yet still fighting over ownership. As I think back, I realize that the hummingbirds have been there. They do make their visits to the feeder to cover their basic needs, but then there are the times they linger.

Most often these are times when an energetic shift is needed. These times come about in scheduled phone sessions, when my client needs support and assistance to step beyond their limits. The alpha male with the bold red chest will perch in the butterfly bush, his back toward the glass doors. He makes his presence known, and I walk past the window while talking to my client on the phone. His head turns to and fro, and though he is small in stature I can feel his wings spread as wide as my house, saying, “Do what you must, I am here for you”.

There are times when the hummingbird lingers, with good will and strong intent. As the shift occurs and the energy is released they disappear.

As winter approaches the feeders are still maintained, even in the coldest months. The hummingbirds remain, seen only as they choose to be.

The day, like many, has been a roller-coaster of activity. Work that flows, and work that just appears to be busy. Phone calls and emails, and the adventure goes on – trying to hold together a dream by oh so carefully weaving together the pieces that will make it happen.

I found myself at one point pacing the house while on a phone call, the energy was so high I could not contain myself. As I pass by the window I see a flurry of birds just outside the door. At least one was a ruby red hummingbird. Though most of us see hummingbirds in the hovering state, I often see them resting on a branch, barely visible. There they stay, watching over their domain.

Another round of footsteps, and I return back to stand by the windows overlooking the garden. There he sits, watching and waiting. His ruby red chest glimmers in the subdued light on this cloudy day, and as he turns his head he nearly disappears into the foliage.

I know him as the alpha, the one who comes to this particular spot during those times when a guardian is needed, call him a guardian angel if you will, to me he is a friend. “I do what I must” is the message I hear, and somehow my busy world plays part in these visits.

Who says size is of any great importance? With agility in flight and strength of presence it is hard to ignore such a treasured sight, yet we rarely see these amazing creatures. You never know when they are there, the Ruby Red watching over us.

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