Natural Instinct
Even though I’m still practicing my social media sabbatical as I focus on fiction, I felt compelled to provide an update on the hummingbird family under our breezeway. In my first hummingbird post, I shared the incredible nest-building process.
In this post, with photos and videos, I share one baby hummingbird’s journey as he or she (Archie? Annie?) takes flight into the Sonoran desert:
June 4. First signs of life. Look at that open beak! Click to enlarge.
June 6. My curiosity got the best of me. I needed to know if we had two babies (a typical clutch) or one. The reflection in the automotive inspection mirror I placed gently above the nest revealed one baby. Look at that face! Click to enlarge.
June 7. The only way I could capture mama tending to baby was through the kitchen window (She's a bit protective). Click to enlarge.
June 12. Another through-the-window shot of mama and baby. That nest is getting pretty tight for two. Click to enlarge.
June 14. You can see those little wings, now! Click to enlarge.
June 16. Someone’s getting antsy and is popping in and out of the nest. Click to enlarge.
June 17. Archie spent most of the day perched on the edge of his nest. I was SURE he was going to fledge, though he stuck around another night. Click to enlarge.
June 18. Hummie Cam captured Archie’s inaugural flight at 5 a.m.
June 18. Later in the day, Archie rested in a larger “nest” – a butterfly nectar cup next to a sparrow in a paloverde tree. Mama found him & fed him here. Click to enlarge.
June 23. I believe this little guy knows my voice, as I’ve spoken to him since he was just an egg. He allows me to walk RIGHT under him & never moves. Not a fear at all! Click to enlarge
June 23. Look at the TINY little toes. I am smitten. Click to enlarge.
June 24. Archie (Annie?) is so fearless, I can drive the quad or the car right under him/her without even a wing flap. Click to enlarge.
Being the ever-vigilant surrogate hummingbird mama that I was, you will understand, in the video below, my complete freak out when baby Archie/Annie tests those wings on June 12 (right after mama fed him). Please forgive my (two) camera flubs at the end when my arm slid off the arm of the chair.
And I had to share the following video of Anna feeding her baby on June 17. At the end, when the camera fumbles, you’ll hear me say, “Hi baby.” I have turned around and am talking to mama, who flew to my hiding place (cross-legged on the concrete, behind a chair), right next to my ear. If you listen (and turn up the volume), you will hear her “buzz” me. I don’t think she was defensive – just surprised to see me there.
For Readers, Writers: As the videos illustrate, this little hummer had no prior experience with flight. Yet, incredibly, he had the instinct to know how to use those wings. Amazing – yet something we see in nature all the time. This reality, of course, brings me to the notion of reader and writer instincts.
Readers – When you’re reading, you instinctively know when a novel, or chapter or scene works – or when it doesn’t (whether or not you can identify the specifics). You just know, don’t you? Is it instinct?
Writers – Do you feel you’re equipped with some writerly instinct to know when something is working or isn’t working in your fiction? Do you think authors are “born with” storytelling instinct the same way hummingbirds are born knowing how to flap those wings 40 to 50 beats per second? Or can storytelling and writing be learned? Or is it, perhaps, a combination of the two?
July 7th, 2012 at 5:11 am
It’s so great to see the videos and more photos of the hummers!! Absolutely adorable (although the sharp beak for feeding looks like it could inflict pain!). And it was really great to hear your voice! I would say (for me) storytelling is natural but how to then write stories best is definitely a learning in process.
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:06 am
I thought the same thing about the feedings: kind of violent to watch!
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July 7th, 2012 at 5:11 am
Incredible. Utterly incredible!
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July 7th, 2012 at 6:41 am
Thank you for coming off hiatus and sharing these amazing photos and videos. I would be surprised to find a person alive who did not share a fascination with hummingbirds.
I am a story teller and I know I’m good at it. Writing comes with great difficulty for me but I am learning. I think of the two learning to write would be easier though I often hit myself upside the hear swearing it isn’t.
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:10 am
Given everyone’s comments, I wonder if I should have asked: do you think good writers MUST be good storytellers first?
And I agree: who DOESN’T like a hummingbird?
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July 7th, 2012 at 7:32 am
I think we develop the storytelling instinct as children. We hear people around us telling stories, we start to read on our own and we pick up the story rhythms of our culture. It does seem that some are more naturally inclined to storytelling, but maybe they have better models to imitate? Or maybe they’re better at paying attention to what makes a story work. Once we understand the story, I think the writing part is much easier to learn.
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:12 am
What a great point, Shary, about learning our storytelling skills from the adults around us. “The story rhythms of our culture” — I like that! And I agree that if you understand, intrinsically, ‘what’ makes a good story, it’s much easier to put the mechanics of writing it into action.
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July 7th, 2012 at 7:46 am
It’s probably a combination of the two things: natural instinct, and learning through absorbing plot , character, dialogue etc via reading and movies.
I do think some are born with more storytelling instinct than others though. Or everyone who wanted to be a great writer would be one very early on. And really young great writers seem more of a rarity, almost a fluke.
Loving these hummingbird photos, Melissa. 🙂
I hope your time away is proving productive for you! (((hugs)))
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:15 am
Ah, yes, there is definitely the ‘osmosis’ learning method. I agree. The time away IS very productive, but editing is such a slow process for me. Hope you’re picking back up with the WIP as well.
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July 7th, 2012 at 7:57 am
Melissa, you have the patience of a saint. Sharing these videos and photos is a gift. The storyteller, in you, is evident by the creativity of these snapshots of your lucky tenant. Thanks for a lovely start to a cool Saturday!
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:16 am
Not really the patience of a saint, I’m afraid … more, the ability to procrastinate and become consumed/obsessed with what’s going on outside my front door, rather than behind my computer monitor!
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July 7th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Lovely shots, Melissa. A real treat to see!
Yes, I believe true writers are born with a storytelling instinct that we sometimes ignore — just as we do our other instincts. The courage to go with your gut, when writing or otherwise, can be risky, scary, but most often quite worth it.
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:17 am
You make such a great point about following our gut instinct with our writing (and other endeavors). Sometimes it’s so scary, but it often results in the more creative efforts, doesn’t it?
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July 7th, 2012 at 10:45 am
I’m glad you broke your hiatus for this. The little hummingbird is precious. And it’s so neat seeing the progress. Now back to your fiction!
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July 7th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Oh my squee, what an amazing collection of photos! I have never in my life seen a baby hummingbird — too cool, Melissa.
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July 7th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Melissa, I’m so happy you interrupted your social media hiatus to publish this glorious post! Reading this particular blog makes my heart sing. Outstanding documentation of a little hummingbirds first couple of weeks in the world. It’s so heartwarming to see view the adult/baby interaction. Superb photographs and videos! I just loved seeing those precious tiny wings flutter. Exceptional post!
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:19 am
I’m so glad my hummingbird mama-baby post inspired you so much. Now you can see why I’ve been so distracted. Knowing all this wonderful nature-in-the-making was going on outside my door was a bit of a draw — a pull AWAY from the fiction on some days.
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July 7th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Melissa, this is incredible–your photos are utterly breathtaking–how do you do it?? And oh that wee baby bird!! He/she is beyond precious–and then there is amazing Momma, swooping in and knowing what to do. I shared these wondrous photos with my husband and it made my night.
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:22 am
How do I do it? Hmm… at the exclusion of getting OTHER things done, I guess :-). We had a big thunderstorm a few days after I posted this, and I haven’t seen mama OR baby since then (she laid ANOTHER egg in a brand new nest, but abandoned it). So sad…have no clue what happened to her. BUT – a NEW mother is in the old nest. She laid two eggs. So I’m in for a double treat this time around! Expect updates.
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July 9th, 2012 at 7:50 am
I am so glad for the hummingbird update, Melissa. Thanks for taking time out of your social media sabbatical to keep us informed. Archie is precious, and of course he knows your voice! You’re a female Marty Stouffer! 😉
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Oh to BE a female Marty Stouffer. What a job!
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July 10th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Oh my goodness! I love little Archie!
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July 10th, 2012 at 9:19 am
Oh my goodness! How completely captivating. Made me go goosebumpy, Melissa. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:24 am
Goosebumpy is all I can ask for, Abi :-). Hope your nature walks and writing are going well.
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July 10th, 2012 at 9:53 am
Congratulations on a successful humming bird baby launch! I love this post. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pictures and video. Archie/Annie is beautiful. I wonder if he/she is going to stay around your house for his/her life? Do hummingbirds migrate?
As far as writer instincts, I think we do have them. The question for me is if I’ll trust them. Letting go of my inner editor can be tough!
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Most hummingbirds migrate, however, in Arizona we have year-long residents (they SHOULD go to Mexico/S. America during winter, but have grown used to human hummingbird feeders and stay, even in snowy weather). What I read is that if Archie really ended up being an “Annie,” that it’s highly likely SHE will come back and nest in this same area. Supposedly, if you have enough nests, you can get three to four generations of the same family of females living in the same area. If Archie really IS Archie, however, then he likely was shooed away by mama about a week later – to fend for himself in some other territory. (I haven’t seen him at ALL this week).
Oh – yes – trusting writer instincts… that an entirely different post, isn’t it?
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July 10th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Lovely post as usual, MCF! I love seeing little Archie/Annie’s journey and think it’s wonderful that s/he knows you and trusts you. As for the question, I do have a weird intuition when I feel something isn’t working, which can be helpful. And sometimes I circle back around to previously discarded ideas/thoughts. But the important thing is knowing I’ve got “wings.” 🙂
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:29 am
I have that same ‘weird intuition’ and I’ve FINALLY learned to trust it! Love the poetic response about “circling back around” and “having wings.” Clever!
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July 10th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
I’m SO impressed with your social media sabbotical and I’ve been wondering how it’s been going. I mean, I know it’s going well in that you’re keeping up with the goal, but how does it FEEL? Of course, I want you to write a post about it, which maybe would defeat the purpose . . . at least for now.
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Why thank you, ma’am. It’s going well (my edits ALWAYS take longer than I think they should, however). But I feel so much more calm these days and more focused/grounded creatively. I think it took me a good 1.5 weeks to get that ‘frenetic social media energy’ out of my system, though. That said, I have missed the interaction terribly. Still have a ways to go on the editing front before I can immerse myself in social media again/make significant appearances, though. Perhaps I WILL write a post about all of this in the future!
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July 10th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
The picture of Archie in the butterfly nectar cup is 100% adorable! The close-ups are incredible! And I loved the videos.
Thank you for capturing these special moments for the rest of us. You must be so thrilled to be able to experience all this up close and personal!
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Melissa Reply:
July 13th, 2012 at 8:33 am
So glad you enjoyed my videos and photos of the hummers. You can expect more, because a NEW mama moved in to Anna’s old nest! (I’m calling her Beatrice). AND she has TWO eggs in that little nest. Can’t wait to see how this next brood progresses.
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July 13th, 2012 at 8:57 am
Two new eggs. How exciting!! And we’ve already progressed from A to B. I love the idea of the eternal cycles of nature: enough hummers coming to nest under your porch to make it all the way to Z when naming them.
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July 13th, 2012 at 9:53 am
Melissa, these pictures are wonderful. I imagine they’ve inspired your storytelling and writing in a number of ways, some of which you may not realize. Events like this have a way of doing that. And btw, what camera are you using? The shots are incredible. I doubt I could take those with my little point and shoot.
As for your questions about reading and storytelling: lately I’ve been starting books and putting them down after a few chapters. Five chapters is usually the little litmus test. Many of these books are well-written but it’s the characters who have not been able to keep me interested in their stories. I feel badly when I quit a book but you know, life’s short…
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Melissa Reply:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:38 am
Have to agree that life is too short to read crappy books :-). The camera I use is a point-and-shoot: a Canon Power Shot SX20 IS, 12.1 mega pixel. They have a new version that has a larger zoom, and I’m dying to get it! (Sorry it took me SO long to respond. Re-emerging from sabbatical for a little while!)
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July 15th, 2012 at 8:26 am
Oh my goodness.. mama and baby bird (but especially baby) are so completely smoochie cute! I went back and read your other post, too—about the process of building the nest and picking matching paint chip colors. Wow! And seriously, how awesome that the lil’ guy knows your voice. That’s an aspiration of mine, in my I’m-Snow-White-and-can-whistle-to-the-birds-who-understand-me-and-whistle-back-then-perch-on-my-arms fantasy. 😛
Add me to the list of those who are glad you took time to post this update during your sabbatical. I look forward to more bird adventures.
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Melissa Reply:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:40 am
Barb – you made me laugh out loud with your comments about being Snow White and whistling to the birds. Ha ha. Since my hummingbird post (sorry it’s taken me SO long to respond – emerging for a bit after my writing sabbatical), we had ANOTHER baby fledge — this one, named Bruno (his mama was Beatrice). Different species altogether, though I am still not sure if she was as Black-chinned (my guess) vs. an Anna’s.
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July 25th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Wonderful! I love hummers. I can’t believe you were able to get so close and take the great pics.
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Melissa Reply:
September 17th, 2012 at 10:42 am
I, too, was surprised how close I could get to this baby — completely fearless, maybe, because I talked to him from the time he was a wee egg : -).
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July 28th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
I love the idea of the sabbatical and the focus, and I also love that you “broke” it for something as unique and interesting as this!
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August 3rd, 2012 at 1:06 am
I absolutely adore your photos of these precious little hummers. You are so lucky to get to have them nesting and thriving so close to you! Thank you so much for sharing. Wonderful photos!
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July 30th, 2015 at 9:20 am
I couldn’t find any other sites which talked about the inaugural flight of an hummingbird. It didn’t look like you quite caught that; have you or any of your readers have any info on where such a video might exist and whether that video provided proof that it was truly an inaugural flight. From your video it certainly looks like a baby hummingbird might have an evolutionary advantage of being able to hover above the nest before actually taking flight. Hmm maybe birds in extremely windy environments (with a gradient) who can hover also (albatross).
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Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
July 30th, 2015 at 11:05 am
Hi John. You’re right — didn’t quite capture the initial fly away, though the next year, we did install a camera right over the nest and followed the progress of two babies (http://melissacrytzerfry.com/2013/05/help-name-the-hummie-twins/). It is known that baby hummers actually anchor their feet to the nest and learn how to fly this way (they aren’t actually hovering). In the one video on this next post, you can see how this is true. I actually saw Munchkin leaving the nest as I watched through the video cam app (though I wasn’t filming) then went outside and photographed him under the breezeway. So, no … STILL didn’t get the actual ‘first flight’ shot!
If I run across any additional inaugural videos, I’ll send along!
PS This year, our hummer mama nested in a palo verde tree, and I went out to check on babies only to find one gone (which I spotted in the tree). I kept an eye on it throughout the day, then the next day, baby 2 was out of the nest (located both in the tree). And I was VERY surprised the next morning to see BOTH back in the nest. I thought once they fledged, they were done with the nest! (see http://bit.ly/1TpfxoC & http://bit.ly/1LxweZx).
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