Always be on the Lookout for the Presence of Wonder

~E.B. White

I saw my first one yesterday. I glanced out the window and a streak went by the flowers I had just bought for the window box. I went to the door and I saw it hovering, checking out the red taillight on my car, then it zipped away. I went out to the garden and I heard the unmistakable hum of its wings as it checked out the feeder I had put up last week in anticipation of its return.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The male’s are first to arrive, to find a territory, to feed and defend. It won’t be long now before a half dozen or more are buzzing over the garden, zipping by my head, squabbling with each other at the Coral Honeysuckle blooms. Even though there are still Juncos at the feeding stations, the signs are irrefutable – the Eastern Bluebirds are on eggs, the Redbud is blooming, and the first hummingbird is back….spring is here.