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.

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

The common formula is 4 parts water to one part sugar. Boil the water, then add the sugar and stir until dissolved. I add a little turbinado sugar as well, it is less refined and may contain additional nutrition. Never add food coloring, it coats the hummingbird tongue and will be fatal. Do not add honey, as it will turn rancid.

Keep the feeder in a shaded space, the sunlight will cause the sugar water to go rancid much faster. Watch the feeders, if the food gets cloudy toss it out. Hang additional feeders out of sight of other feeders, hummingbirds are very territorial and will chase others from their food source.

Cleaning your feeder: Some will suggest bleach, but our bleach is not pure, and has many chemicals added such as whiteners. I use hot water and soak the feeders before each refill, use a dedicated brush to scrub and clean the feeding holes (not used for any other purpose, no soap). The “cleaners” I will use are vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, in fact if you keep spray bottles in your kitchen with both those substances (separately), you can use them to clean your kitchen. They combine into a powerful disinfectant. Rinse all feeders thoroughly before refilling.

I keep my feeders within view of my living spaces, and my friends care not when I am outside with them during a feeding session.