Estes Park - As the hummingbirds made their way south a few weeks ago, I watched a momma and two babies feed from my garden. I could tell one of the babies was out of sorts. It struggled to fly, constantly landing to rest, sometimes, on its back.

As I observed its mom attempt to encourage it to fly and feed, something in my gut told me it wouldn’t make it. According to the American Bird Conservancy, 31 percent of adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and 42 percent of females survive any given year. 

The average hummingbird lives five years, and babies only have a 59% chance of survival, and the chance of survival can drastically reduce the more babies a mom has to care for. Unfortunately, anything can claim a baby hummingbird, including sudden severe weather. 

Mom stopped coming around. I felt more helpless than I had in a long time. I watched the baby slowly take its last few breaths. My heart sank. This is a challenge for any empath, you can’t help but feel someone else’s pain or emotions as if they were yours.

I waited to compose myself before digging a tiny grave and making a gravestone. I thanked it for making the world more beautiful, and all I could do was sit next to its resting place, under a tree, self-reflecting.

Two days later, I found joy at the YMCA of the Rockies. It was Saturday, August 31, 2024. The annual John Denver tribute concert was underway, with Random and True as the opening band, which you can read about in the May 4, 2023, edition of The Mountain-Ear or by clicking here: https://www.themtnear.com/articles/an-accidental-meeting-of-musical-proportions/.

The YMCA of the Rockies is the largest camp and conference center, boasting endless activities from archery and yoga to hiking and crafts, serving well over 200,000 guests every year. 

For families with four-legged members, the off-leash Murphy’s Mountain Dog Park is perfect for canines. There’s always something exciting happening at the YMCA. If you’re seeking an adventurous holiday, a romantic getaway, or bonding time with the family, the YMCA of the Rockies can cater to your needs.

After the concert, I drove home, thinking about my baby hummingbird. I sat under the tree, reflecting on the week. Then, a squirrel pooped on my head.

The YMCA of the Rockies is located at 2515 Tunnel Road, Estes Park. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ymcarockies/ or call them at 970-887-2152.