Five Photos, Five Stories: Day 3

Hallelujah! I shot a hummingbird! My prize of the day: a clear shot of a female black-chinned hummingbird.

White butterflies wobble like tissue caught in a breeze; dragonflies zip past with iridescent wings; and swallowtails flutter like elegant breeze dancers. Amidst these dainty flyers, I seek the buzz of hummingbird wings.

My first hummingbird encounter on Elmira Pond took place two summers ago when one mistook my hot pink t-shirt for a large flower. I had binoculars scoped on the pond as I sat beneath the apple tree. A persistent buzzing at my right ear made me think it was a bee and casually I would swat at the sound. Finally, I put down the binoculars to be face-to-face with a hummingbird!

Often I catch them buzzing about and when the apple tree was in full blossom this past May, several hung out as if it were a favorite pub. They sipped apple blossom nectar and I identified three different kinds: black-chinned, red-throated and calliope.

For so long, I've wanted a photograph. I've learned what they like -- hairy vetch blossoms, radish blooms, colorful perennials. I also bought a feeder which they've drained three times in two months. I catch glimpses and snap blurry shots as they flee my camera lens.

Today I was determined. After watering, I sat beneath the spruce tree by my gardens and waited with camera, cat and coffee. Todd walked out onto the porch and I tried to shoo him away. After weeding and planting more beets (because one can never have too many beets), I sat again in the shade of the spruce, drinking cold water. Todd got his camera and joined me.

Then he got bored. I watched wispy white clouds pass overhead. I listened to the steady strum of summer traffic on Hwy. 95. I spotted a chipping sparrow in a tall pine. Bootsy sat companionably beneath my chair. I saw a black and white dragonfly. And then I heard the buzz of wings.

Snap, snap, snap! She posed, drank and left. At last, I have her in pixels. My hummingbird patience paid off.

This is Day 3 of a photo and story challenge from Norah Colvin. Today I nominate author and poet, Susan Zutautas, to take up the challenge if she is so obliged to participate.

The rules of the Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge are:
1) Post a photo each day for five consecutive days.
2) Attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or a short paragraph. It’s entirely up to the individual.
3) Nominate another blogger to carry on the challenge. Your nominee is free to accept or decline the invitation. This is fun, not a command performance!