The Hummingbird Home Office: A WFH Experience Like No Other

It’s National Wildlife Week — a time for us to celebrate and appreciate the incredible biodiversity of our planet. What better way to do that than to share a personal experience with one of nature's most delightful creatures: the hummingbird.

Recently, while looking out my window, I noticed a tiny hummingbird darting back and forth near a branch outside. Curious, I decided to take a closer look and to my amazement, I discovered that she was building a nest right there, just a few feet away from me in a bush just outside of my breakfast nook!

Over the next few days, I watched in awe as the hummingbird tirelessly gathered moss, leaves, and spider silk to construct her tiny masterpiece. The nest is a marvel of engineering, perfectly designed to keep her eggs safe and secure. As I continued to observe, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to witness such an intimate moment in the life of this amazing creature. It reminded me of the importance of taking the time to slow down and appreciate the natural world around us. I grabbed my camera and set up a miniature at-home bird-watching station so that I could share this little miracle with all of you.

Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating and unique birds in the animal kingdom. They are known for their incredible speed and agility, as well as their vibrant colors and beautiful songs. Watching them in action, and this close, is truly a breathtaking experience.

I’m going to continue to keep an eye on my little hummingbird friend and her growing family, grateful for the privilege of witnessing their tiny miracle.

As we go about our daily lives, it can be easy to forget just how much nature surrounds us. However, taking the time to slow down and observe the world around us can help us connect with nature and appreciate its beauty and importance.

When the pandemic came in 2020, many of us were forced to slow down and spend more time at home. While this has been a difficult time for many, it has also provided an opportunity to reconnect with nature in a way that may not have been possible before: taking a walk in your local park, spending time in a community or backyard garden, or simply observing the birds and other wildlife that share our neighborhoods can be a powerful reminder of the beauty and complexity of Mother Nature. By taking the time to slow down and observe, we can also learn more about the species that live around us and the vital roles they play in our ecosystems.

As we celebrate National Wildlife Week, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of protecting and preserving our planet's incredible biodiversity. I was reminded of this importance by this little bird. If it weren’t for the delicate balance of flowers blooming at just the right time to provide nectar, the ground thawing at the right time to provide insects for food, or the spiders reemerging at this time to provide silk for nesting material, I would never be afforded the opportunity to witness this sacred practice — and even worse, the hummingbird may not have the ability to partake in the delicate dance.

By making simple changes in our daily lives, such as properly disposing of micro-waste or supporting conservation organizations, we can all play a role in safeguarding our natural world for future generations.

Let’s take the time to slow down and appreciate the wonders of the world around us, and by doing so, we can all work together to create a brighter, more sustainable future for all living creatures.