I wrote this for fellow blogger, poet, story teller Val Brussell who is a big fan of the Hummingbird. New Phantom High Speed Cameras (200 to 500 frame rate) have captured some never before seen behaviours of this tiny, amazing bird.
Here is a youtube video about the technology and with some footage of the Hummingbird (the poem makes more sense if you watch the video)
Slow motion hummingbirds
This is a bad day for hummingbirds
the hummingbird murmured to me
sounding like a purring puddy tat
filled up on sardines and cream.
That phantom high speed camera
has shown things that we’d like discrete
unblurring our swirling invisibility sheen
revealing fantastical feats.
That super fast lens caught me right in the act
sneaking in a swift head peck
well what do you expect, it’s nectar
a delight to dehydrated beaks.
But it’s not all bad, he chortled
you humans are looking the fool
you thought that you knew us inside and out
but your errors mean you are the tools.
I’ll be off now he chattered with a smile in his heart
bustling backwards with an elegant swirl
must apologise to my mate for pecking his head
then he was gone in the windiest whirl.
Gabe Feathers McGee 
Supercool!
It’s all that humming of the wings.
Cool poem! and that film brought tears to my eyes.
Wow, you are a sensitive soul (that is of course why you are a poet Brad).
thank you thank you, that is wonderful! wow, like an explosion of insight
Ah to be a hummingbird for a day, thanks tipota 🙂
I looked at the video, so interesting, Beautiful birds! We have some in Montreal, occasionally, which is a surprise to every one.
We don’t have any in Australia Ben!
you have so many amazing animals in Australia, you can let us have the humming birds , oiseau-mouche in French (oiseau=bird, mouche=fly)
that’s fair enough, we do have some of the best parrots; thanks for the translation Ben.
Amazing video and a fitting subject for your lovely poetry. Just keep that puddy tat well fed. One hummingbird would be only one mouthful! So tiny.
Stafford, I was going to change the line about the puddy tat and now I think I might have to if it’s going to create images of birdy snacks for cats 🙂
That video is incredible. It is amazing they were able to capture the movement of the wings so we can actually see them.
I like the ‘swirling invisibility sheen’ line. Hummingbirds are very otherworldly and it would be no surprise to me if they were peeved by their deepest secrets being caught on film. Another goodie, Gabrielle!
They are like little fairies, magical. Thanks Selma.
I’m going to print this out and tack it to my wall beside my writing place. I adore you for writing this for me and it is playful, funny and wise like those lovely little creatures themselves. HUGS 🙂 Thank you Gabrielle!
You’re welcome Val – it’s good to get away from the dark side occasionally 🙂 I love that you are going to print it out and put it near your writing place.
Oh this is a lovely poem! Your words are infused with fun and your use of playful banter is just perfect for this most wondrous of birds. They are so incredible!! 🙂
Thanks Tracey, it was fun writing it 😉
Thanks for this. I enjoyed the video and the poem is great especially the last bit. I will remember “I’ll be off now” when I see hummingbirds.
Thanks opoetoo, I enjoyed making this one (just a bit of fun).
Very forthright bird, that one!
haha – thanks Aletha (they’ve sure got it over us those birds).
i have only seen a hummingbird in pictures. and through your poem, i have learned more about them. lovely poem and you have given voice to that little creature. delighful!
We don’t have hummingbirds here in Australia,unfortunately. Thanks for commenting hames1977 🙂