My heart...

I was shocked to look out this morning to see her at my feeder again - the same little female ruby-throated hummingbird that I saw two days ago.  Her left eye looks to be a loss, but she appears in good health other than that.  She is having long drinks of nectar and then seems to disappear for periods - maybe picking off small insects for protein.  It is a bit surreal to be outside on 6 October and hear the chatter of a hummer.  I wonder how long she'll stay?  I mixed up a fresh batch of nectar today, prepared to feed her as long as she graces me with her presence.  And my heart will beat just a bit faster when I see her.

If you wonder about her ability to survive the low temps at night, remember that hummingbirds go into a state of torpor when they sleep where they slow down all of their bodily functions to conserve energy.  There was a hummingbird that spent a winter in Pennsylvania a number of years ago.  The home owners rigged up a system to keep the nectar from freezing which allowed the hummer to survive even with temps near zero F.  

There was also a small group of warblers flitting around at the edge of the woods today which was a nice surprise.  Among them was a blackburnian warbler which is a yard first for me.  No photos, unfortunately.  

Talked with my parents this morning, then the gym.  And tomorrow marks the start of another week...

xo
Debbi