I’ve been reading extensively about Native American folklore lately. As part of my Master’s research at Berkeley, I studied the relationships between people, wildlife, and the environment to understand how everything is interconnected. In Native American folklore, hummingbirds symbolize joy, happiness, and good luck. They are also seen as messengers from the other side, bringing positive messages.

During my month-long stay at Blue Oak Nature Reserve in California, a hummingbird flew extremely close to my face, and I didn’t flinch. It all happened so quickly that I didn’t have time to grab my camera, and I didn’t want to scare it away, so I chose to remain still. The curious bird hovered right in front of me as if it were investigating me before suddenly flying off. I never would have imagined having such an experience! I’m glad I took the time to appreciate it. Simple moments like this can lead to deep reflections, reminding us that we, as humans, are a part of nature; we don’t own it.

Hummingbird

Kind stranger,
Cheerful bird,
Let’s say you were a harbinger, a messenger,
So what message did you bring?

Bold thinker,
Humming sound,
If I caught your fondness, I wonder cos I’m not a flower,
But honored by your spirited recognition!