There was only one hummingbird left in the nest when I checked on them this morning. It was perched so dapper, if not a bit apprehensive, on the edge of the nest, so I thought I would get a picture because I might not get another chance, and damn it if I wasn’t on the nose.

As soon as I got my camera out, I scared it and it flew out of the nest. It was very clear that it wasn’t ready to brave the world on its own. It bounced off various objects and had trouble gaining altitude and ultimately crashed into the back of my van and fell between my bumper and a 2 x 4 with its little wing draped over the board.

It looked terribly uncomfortable, so I tried to move the 2 x 4 and scared it again and it flew up to the market lighting strung across the yard. I checked on it after an hour and it was still there, but it’s not there anymore, so I’m not sure what its fate was. This is why it’s best to leave nature alone.