A Hummingbird Chose Our Backyard

There are moments in life that feel like a quiet tap on the shoulder from nature, as if it’s saying, “Come here. Look at this.”

That’s exactly what happened in our backyard.

You’ve heard me talk about the many times during our travels that both Mr. Whaldo and I get distracted and even seek out birding adventures. I’ve never lived anywhere without a bird feeder. Even in my third-floor apartment in Addison, Texas, without a balcony, I managed to place one on the window ledge, and it attracted beautiful Blue Jays.

In our travels, we’ve seen some of the most beautiful birds, or dinosaurs, as we call them. These feathered, scaled-footed creatures have been around since the age of dinosaurs, and I find that fascinating.

We make a point of visiting national parks and royal gardens all over the world just to see which species we might find. We’ve met many other birders along the way, and it’s always fun to exchange information about what we’re seeing or hearing in the moment. It’s funny how something as ordinary as birds can connect perfect strangers through shared smiles and quiet wonder.

A Life Built Around Birding

I was going through my photos recently, and it hit me just how many pictures I have of birds. There are other things too, animals, flowers, plenty of bugs and spiders, but mostly birds. So many birds, from all over the world.

It brought back memories of the hikes we’ve taken in so many different places, sometimes with the goal of finding birds, and sometimes not. Yet somehow, we always end up stopping, listening, and searching for the songmaker.

It also reminded me how often my dear husband and I can be deep in conversation, and if I hear a bird call I don’t recognize, or even one I do, I will immediately stop mid-sentence, completely transfixed. It always makes Mr. Whaldo smile.

I can’t tell you how many walks, or even quiet moments, have been changed by the need to stop and watch a diving bird, a soaring hawk, or one simply resting. We’ve taken tours to see some of the rarest birds, like the Southern Royal Albatross in New Zealand. We hiked through the heat in Cagliari, Italy, hoping to spot Great Flamingos, and we did. We spent a full day hiking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica just to catch a glimpse of the Great Quetzal, and we succeeded.

How We Track the Birds We Find

One of the things we have on our phones is a bird app called Merlin, created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It’s a free app that helps identify birds. It used to rely mostly on photos, but now, even if I can’t get a clear shot, I can use the “Listen” feature. It identifies birds by their calls, your location, and the time of year. I started using it in 2020, and we save each bird to our Life List. To date, I’ve logged 414 different species. None from zoos or aviaries. They only count if we see or hear them in the wild. That’s our rule.

My Life List on the Merlin App.

Creating a Backyard Bird Habitat

At home, I keep hummingbird feeders and seed feeders filled to help our feathered friends. One of the coolest gifts I’ve ever received was from my eldest daughter, a feeder shaped like a birdhouse with a camera inside. It gives me a live feed on my phone and records every visitor. I’ve captured more than a few moments of colorful finches stopping by for a meal.

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to create little havens in the backyards of the homes we’ve lived in. We plant native flowers and set out feeders, and the birds come. So do the bees and butterflies.

I’ve always loved it when birds choose to nest in those spaces and raise their young. We make sure they have distance from our furry family members so the fledglings can safely test their wings. There is something deeply rewarding about watching nature unfold right outside your door.

A First I Never Expected

But in all my years of feeding and watching, I had never found a hummingbird nest. Never witnessed the eggs. Never seen the beginning.

Until now.

Mr. Whaldo found the nest in mid-March and called me out to see it. The tiny structure was a marvel, small but sturdy, perfectly tucked away. Mom wasn’t home, so we were able to glimpse the two delicate eggs inside. We didn’t touch a thing. We simply stood there, quietly admiring the brilliance of it.

Since then, I’ve passed by that tree a few times and seen momma hummer sitting faithfully in her nest. We give her space, walking a little farther away each time so we don’t spook her. She freezes when we’re near, tolerating us, and we’ve made a point to leave her in peace.

Hummingbird Nest we found in one of our trees / Photo by Whaldo Digital Content

The Moment Everything Changed

Today, I went out hoping to catch a glimpse of her from a distance. She wasn’t there. I took a small step forward, and suddenly, a tiny beak pushed up from inside that delicate little fortress.

I gasped.

The babies had hatched.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I carefully inched closer, lifting my camera just enough to see inside. Both eggs had hatched. The babies were already covered in soft down, tiny feathers beginning to form. They looked healthy, strong, and very much alive. This little mama was doing everything right.

The first thing I did was go inside and share it with Mr. Whaldo. His smile matched mine.

I’m not sure why it feels so special to have this happen in our yard. We didn’t do anything extraordinary. We planted what belongs here. We made space. The rest showed up on its own.

And maybe that’s the point.

When nature is given even the smallest invitation, it responds. It builds, it nurtures, and it continues on, quietly and beautifully, whether we are watching or not.

But to witness it, to be close enough to see something so small and so fragile take its first steps into the world, that feels like a gift.

One I don’t take lightly.

- J.S. Whaldo