Picture Of The Week 12-29-08

Where: Lynchburg, VA • Boonsboro Area

Notes: Once and a while life comes full circle. This year the holidays returned me to my hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia for a brief visit. As it turns out, this bird that normally inhabits the mountains of the northwestern United States, was only a couple of miles from my Mom's house. I had been reading about this rare Hummingbird on the internet. But, I didn't really expect that my schedule would allow for the opportunity to sneak out and see this tiny bird. We arrived a little early before the family festivities began, so despite the cloudy cold day, we decided to dash over and hope for a quick look at the smallest of North American Hummingbirds. When we arrived the homeowner, Mr. Morris, was already watching the feeder outback and we were soon joined by his wife. The Calliope Hummingbird showed up shortly after that. As we introduced ourselves, we discovered a common history of some thirty years ago. As a youth I was taken out to fields next to the Morris' house to observe the courtship flight displays of American Woodcock by mutual friends in the Lynchburg Bird Club. Now, thirty years later, I was at their property again to witness one of God's beautiful creations.