My Little Gift from Heaven

It was yesterday afternoon when a little gift from heaven appeared on my back porch.  At first I didn't even recognize what it was.  I had come home from running errands when I looked beyond the sliding-glass door and noticed something on the ground.....but what was it?  Was is a curled, dry leaf?  A piece of trash?  Or was it a brown bird?  I took a closer look.....and saw that it was a bird.....it was a hummingbird!  I gathered my camera and went outside to inspect.

It was so still.  Its crop was all puffed up.  Was it alive?  It didn't think it looked so good.  I figured it must have taken a hard knock from flying into the sliding-glass door.  I felt foolishly afraid to touch the little creature.  Was it on the verge of death?  Or would it peck me with its beak and try to ward me off?    As I bent down to pick up the tiny bird, I found that it was as sweet as it could be.....and as light as a feather.....and that it sported a beautiful 'coat of many colors'. 

Can you see the little tongue?

The hummingbird rested quietly in my hand.  What to do now?  I wrapped my hand around the little bird and brought it to the kitchen sink.  Perhaps a drink would be nice.  A  sliver of white tongue protruded from the long beak as the little bird sipped the water from the faucet.  Still, at this point I wasn't sure if the delicate little creature would live or die.  I pushed aside the thought that at any moment it might go limp in my hand.



I brought the little bird back outside.  Maybe now it would be ready to get on its way.  But no.....it was content to sit and let me stroke its little head and hold it.  I admired its delicate beauty, its softness and iridescence, and the strength in its wirey little feet that were able to grasp so securely onto my finger.  What a mini masterpiece!

I think he likes it!

Soaking up the sun!

I wondered what to do next.  Since it was a bit cool and breezy outside, I decided to heat up a rice bag as a heating pad for my little friend to let him get warm and cozy.  As he sat quietly, I was careful to monitor a little action from the wings.....sure didn't want the little guy to go flying around my house!

Nice and cozy!

Throughout this whole process I was taking pictures and posing my little model.  I wanted to remember this special event and capture the images of seeing this little guy so up close and personal.  Back outside again, I accidentally set my camera to 'super vivid', which I count as a happy mistake.  I think the images of my little friend are pretty incredible....even from my little 'point and shoot'.

Such a handsome little guy!

 Too cute!

After a series of beautiful poses, and a sip of sugar water, my little model decided to test his wings.  He made a short flight up, then down again, with a smooth landing to follow, much to my relief.  I took him in my hands, but worried,  "Will he ever be able to really fly again?"  And then, with the fanning of tiny wings, he was off......and my little gift from heaven went home.....back to where he belonged.

Smooth landing.

Thank you, LORD, for your gifts that come in small, bright and beautiful packages!