06/12/2025
With a garage door as large as this one, we often found ourselves abruptly responding to a bird that had lost its way within the studio. On this particular day, a sweet and scared hummingbird got all turned around after entering the space.
Per usual protocol, we quickly shut off the fluorescents, closed the door and swiftly opened it again in the hopes that the little guy would flit towards the light. It tried and tried but it was clearly stuck in a tricky spot above the door. And we could tell it was getting tired.
With all work halted, we spent nearly 45 minutes trying and failing to guide the humming bird out of the studio. Every few minutes it would buzz frantically in that corner and then land on a pipe to rest from the effort. It was equal parts stunning and anxiety inducing to feel so helpless with this little bird. Eventually, as if by some lovey miracle, it found its way down and out to freedom.
Last month, Grace sent me this photo that she took from that day, now a couple years past. I’ve been zooming in and out of it since, trying to imprint the mystery and magic of that day, that season, that time of great, great beauty and great, great effort.
It’s been a timely meditation and one I’ve been grateful for as I reflect on the past few years. Thank you Grace for capturing such a still moment here. We both know the studio is was anything but still most days.
