We measure the summer days by the number of hummingbirds dive-bombing around the feeders we hang in the back yard and the amount of syrup they consume. We have counted as many as 15 during the "cocktail hour," at twilight. We've recently had a few days of intermittent thunderstorms, and now one lonely hummer hovers around the feeders.
No fair! It's too early for them to leave (we're not sure where they go each year). Our nighttime temperatures have remained warm, and there's not a hint of fall in the air yet. But something signaled the beautiful creatures to leave. The poor hummer who was left behind is remaining mum. We recall the old joke that hummingbirds hum because they've forgotten the words.
Whatever caused this early exodus, it's saddening. The university students are back in full force, adding to the traffic in stores and on our streets, and injecting vitality into the community. The public schools start this week, too, but the hummers weren't scheduled to exit. Not yet.
It's been a long, hot summer. But I'm not ready for fall. Maybe the abrupt departure of the hummers is a signal to "get with the program."
No fair! It's too early for them to leave (we're not sure where they go each year). Our nighttime temperatures have remained warm, and there's not a hint of fall in the air yet. But something signaled the beautiful creatures to leave. The poor hummer who was left behind is remaining mum. We recall the old joke that hummingbirds hum because they've forgotten the words.
Whatever caused this early exodus, it's saddening. The university students are back in full force, adding to the traffic in stores and on our streets, and injecting vitality into the community. The public schools start this week, too, but the hummers weren't scheduled to exit. Not yet.
It's been a long, hot summer. But I'm not ready for fall. Maybe the abrupt departure of the hummers is a signal to "get with the program."
3 comments:
Oh Janet, I can't remember where you live. But here in Utah, fall brings crisp air, trees turning beautiful colors of brilliant yellow, burnt orange and burnished gold, the BYU football stadium fills with screaming fans and my four nephews on the field, long walks with my husband, I could go on and on. I absolutely love fall! Come see fall through my eyes, you'll never see it the same way again.
Candace, I love the fall here in northern Utah, too - - it just seems that after our long, hot summer, the hummers had no reason to leave yet! Logan and Sardine canyons are spectacular, and as we're less than a mile from USU's football stadium, we can hear the booms of the cannons when USU scores, but usually we're sitting there in the crowd. I love fall, too, but just wasn't mentally ready for it! The hummers know something we don't!
Janet
I love that thought...I'd never heard it before. I like the idea of them humming because they can't remember the words...catches the imagination. Wonderful blog.
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