Is it a big bug?

by Joanne Bilecki
(Red Deer, Alberta, Canada)

Last year,I threw my back out, and had to spend some time in therapy. Part of that was to lie on my back with a pillow under my knees- I chose to do it outside. I had put up two hummingbird feeders in the spring. I use a mixture of bottled water and sugar, one sugar to 4 water. I don't use red food colour, but pour the mixture into red coloured hummingbird feeders.

On this particular afternoon, I laid out on the back deck, on a blanket, with my little dog curled up beside me. I also had the back door open. My dog is about 9 lbs. and does not like bugs. I was resting, when I heard a "bzzzzzzzz" beside my head. I turned my head, only to be face to face with a little hummingbird! He then went to investigate the dog. The dog, thinking it was a big bug, ran into the house with his tail between his legs. It was bloody hilarious, and I'll never forget it.

Since then, I'll be working in the flower beds, and the hummingbirds will come to check me out. They get quite close to my face. I think they are just little green angels, coming to help me with the garden.