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Nancy Parker Brummett

Nancy Parker Brummett

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One Is Enough

August 28, 2017 by Nancy 18 Comments

Readers who follow my blog posts know that I wrote one in late June titled “Where Have All the Hummers Gone?” Except for one reader who joked that she thought I meant the behemoth, gas-guzzling vehicles, most wrote with sympathetic sentiments about my dearth of hummingbirds and sent helpful suggestions about how to attract some.

hummingbird perchedIn this my last word on the hummingbird (well, for this season anyway), I’m happy to report that I have one! For three months I faithfully watched that forlorn feeder, changing the nectar often. I even tried different varieties of feeders, but no visitors arrived. Finally I saw the familiar, precious silhouette of a hummer early one morning in mid-July. I’m delighted to say that he (and I’m just assuming it’s a he) now visits in the first light of dawn each day. And I have learned to be ever so grateful.

Those of you who enjoy a plethora of hummers dipping, diving, and buzzing around your feeders may wonder how I could seem so content with just one, but it’s all a matter of perspective. Because he always arrives during my morning quiet time, it’s as if the Lord sends him as a special blessing on my day. One is enough to deliver this blessing. One is enough to bring me joy. One is enough.hummingbird in flight

And there are other lessons to be heard from hummingbirds. I had lunch with a friend a few weeks ago, a friend who lives in a canyon south of town by the mountains and has to fill her feeders several times a day. She commented that the rufous always comes around to chase all the other birds away from the feeder, but then never drinks himself! “Isn’t that just like people?” she mused. “We think we want what somebody else has, but we really don’t need it!”

Another friend texted to tell me her feeder on the west side was buzzing with nine hummers at once. I was pleasantly surprised by my reaction when I realized I wasn’t the least bit jealous! I could have been, but I wasn’t. Instead I was truly happy for her and relieved to know that at least hummingbirds were alive and well somewhere. Anyway, I have one. And one is enough.

hummingbird drinkingMaybe part of my contentment comes because we had the opportunity to go up to the mountains twice this summer and I got to enjoy the hummingbirds there. Or maybe it’s just the old adage that “you don’t miss what you have until it’s gone” at play. I really missed having a lot of hummingbirds, so now I’m content with my one little buddy.

So drink deeply, tiny friend. My offering of nectar is all for you, and I’ll see you in the morning.

Filed Under: Back Porch Break Tagged With: enough, hummingbird, mountains, nectar, one

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jim B (your loving huzzband) says

    August 29, 2017 at 10:26 am

    God does help us separate our wants from our needs. Thanks for the reminder

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      August 29, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Thanks, dear. You fall into both categories for me!

      Reply
  2. Joan Medved says

    August 29, 2017 at 10:41 am

    We too have only one little guy that comes around several times a day, if he’s not scared off by the pesky wasps. Living in Pueblo we do not get many especially this year, so it’s a blessing to just have one who’s been a regular. Humming birds seem to give one a calm, peaceful feeling and they always put a smile on your face.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      August 29, 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Congrats, Joan! I know your joy!

      Reply
  3. Charlie Fusco says

    August 29, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    So happy you have a little companion to enhance your morning quiet times. Seems that’s when we receive the sweetest inspirations… when God’s creations great and small heighten our senses to see His ever-present love.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      August 29, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Amen, Charlie. Those little guys just have “blessing” written all over them!

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth Van Liere says

    August 29, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    The humming birds have been few and far between at my feeder, too. When I catch a glimpse of one it lifts my spirits so maybe as you say, “One is enough.”

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      August 29, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      Thanks, Betty. Let’s celebrate these “solo” flights! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Eileen Somers says

    August 29, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    Do you think the cats on the deck chair make those guys nervous? At least one knows he can move faster than Molly so enjoy.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 1, 2017 at 1:28 pm

      I have wondered, Eileen, but it never affected all the ones I had at the other house. I think it’s primarily the location. But thanks for the suggestion!

      Reply
  6. Sue says

    August 29, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    Perhaps seeing a humming bird is like seeing a butterfly–one is enough. Then we know they are still out and about.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 1, 2017 at 1:28 pm

      True, Sue. And that’s the important thing after all!

      Reply
  7. Beth Lueders says

    August 30, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    Love the just one perspective, Nancy. I was planning to ask you the other night about a return of your humming bird(s). I was grumbling about all those noisy blackbirds back in June and then when the mama and papa and babies left my apple tree and yard, it was kind of lonely. Every now and then I hear them in the ‘hood and I smile. God has His way of teaching us through Nature.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 1, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      Yes, He does. An artist displaying His masterpieces! 🙂

      Reply
  8. alice ferguson says

    August 30, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    Quintessential Nancy!
    sweetness, light and love
    for the littlest
    the least
    the less than

    mirroring
    HE is enough
    and we are more that satisfied

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      September 1, 2017 at 1:30 pm

      As always you stated this truth so poetically, Alice! Thank you.

      Reply
  9. Gay Hope Mayles says

    September 1, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    I just live around the corner from you and I too only have one hummingbird visiting. But he makes me smile when I hear that high-pitched sound as he comes for a visit. I always enjoy your posts……this one is especially sweet!

    Reply
  10. Marcia Davis says

    September 2, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Nancy, I’m so happy you finally have a hummingbird. I have at least four ruby-throated hummers at a time at my three feeders in East Tennessee. But they prefer my blue Salvia flowers to the hummingbird feeders. They say for ruby-throats to multiply the number you see at any one time by 4 and that will give you a truer picture of how many are actually around your yard
    and using your feeders. Licensed hummingbird banders learned this by capturing and recapturing hummers in the same yard. Also, during migration, the hummer you see tomorrow is not always the same one you will see tomorrow. My friend Linda puts up about 15 feeders on her wooded property with a creek and has 30 or 40 hummers at a time. Like you, I am happy with what I have. Love, Marcia

    Reply

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