Buzzed by a hummingbird

I’ve meant for the longest time to prune this little tree. When I’m out for my morning dogwalk I think, “I’ve got to bring those clippers.” But when I’m home I forgot to set them aside.

Every so often I get involved in the lost cause of trying to save some neglected tree in public space. I did this once with some trees near where I worked, and the whole block got torn up.

Last year I mentioned a tree in the neglected campground on my morning dogwalk. (You can see a couple pictures of the poor parched thing at the bottom of that post.) The tree was on the edge of a grassfire, and before the rains returned I watered it a couple times to help it survive until winter. It had a lot of dead branches, many so small they are glorified twigs, but I waited until spring to see where the new growth might come in.

Hence my intent to bring clippers. It’s got some new growth, but still lots of dead stuff.

Anyway, after a couple months of forgetting I finally remembered.  While I was clipping thin branches this morning, I heard a buzz by my ear.  The little tree does have a resident hummingbird, and this little guy didn’t like my encroachment. He was strafing me! (Now I need to remember to bring the camera.)

I clipped off a large branch, and perhaps the vibration bothered it, as it buzzed off toward a larger tree. Then it buzzed me again, before alighting on its favorite perch, on a high dead branch. Snap! I took off another dead branch, and off the hummingbird went again.

I got all the low bare branches within easy reach, and now have to return with a ladder. And a camera. 

Watch this space.

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