LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, September 17, 2010

Fridays are Golden

I saw it fall. Straight down from the sky. It didn't hit any part of the house until it landed on the deck. Our hummingbirds have been unbelievably agressive this year. Every now and then they actually crash into one another and temporarily lose their lift and begin a free fall. Most often they are able to regain their flight and go at it again.

This time, one of them didn't have enough space to recover from the crash and it fell down on to the deck. It sat there stunned and seemed to wonder where it was and how it got there.

Lucy was lying near the door and immediately got up to look at the bird.


Lucy stared at the little hummingbird and it stared right back at Lucy.


As the bird moved on the deck, Lucy moved to different positions.



She wagged her tail every time the bird moved a little.
Within a short while the little bird recovered and flew to the feeder. Lucy, satisfied that her watchful eye had made for the recovery, went back to bed.

Tomorrow is Yom Kippur during which our Jewish friends will observe a day of atonement. This holy time is set aside to reflect on the past year, to change one's behavior and amend one's ways. The day requires that the people seek forgiveness for the wrongs they may have done to others. What a wonderful thing to do. Perhaps all of us should follow this example. So this weekend think about the past year. Try to reach out and mend fences. And vow to be more understanding and tolerant of your fellow human beings in the year ahead.




Oh! Look! Is that what I think it is?

Let the fall migration begin!!!
Have a safe and wonderful weekend, everyone!

11 comments:

SouthernSass said...

I never knew hummingbirds did that. Lucy seemed really interested in that bird and I am glad it recovered.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Our hummingbirds have been very aggressive this year, too. Four come to the bird feeder at one time and fight. I'm sure glad that little bird recovered. Lucy sure is a sweet dog. She didn't even touch the bird. What a sweet animal.

Anonymous said...

Interesting, the hummingbirds here have been very aggressive as well. We have seating for 14, but lately on one of the feeders, a very territorial male will not let any other hummer land. He sits nearby and chases all the other hummers away. The hummingbird sugar water barely gets tasted by anyone. Fierce and crazy little things.

I'm really glad this little one survived. Lucy did a good job of keeping her on it until it was well enough to go.

I don't know what kind of bird that last pic is. What do you think?

I like your idea about all of us observing a day of Atonement. Sounds like the right thing to do.

NCmountainwoman said...

Robin - It's a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We see them only during migration.

troutbirder said...

Your goldens are so sweet. My big oaf would have either grabbed or pawed the little hummer to see what it was.

Karin said...

What a sweet story - loved it! Lots a human can learn from the animal kingdom!

Cicero Sings said...

Golden Retrievers are such lovely, friendly dogs ... my sister-in-law had one that carefully carry eggs around in her mouth to keep them safe ... or kittens ... or any little thing.

George said...

Lucy makes a great nurse!

Jayne said...

Glad the little hummer was OK under her watchful eye! :c)

Twisted Fencepost said...

What sweet shots!!
I just love those dogs of yours.
I wonder what that hummer was thinking.
And what Lucy was thinking when she wagged her tail.

Barb said...

I love the way Goldens have a quizzical expression when they are wondering about something - I bet Lucy had just that expression on her face watching the Hummer.