How is this even possible? How can one tiny body hold together in the utter contradiction between wings flapping up to 70 times per second yet beak still enough to thread a toothpick-size hole? No wonder her heart is likely beating more than 1200 times a minute! (Yes, “her.” This is a female ruby-throated.)

She is gone now. And her spouse and friends. The feeders are in and cleaned, waiting for the first warmth of spring to draw the them back to my front yard. I will join them dancing with the spirit.