“The hummingbird is a messenger of joy. Its presence reminds us to find happiness in the smallest things and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.”
There’s a particular sound that tells me summer is beginning in the garden.
Not the wind in the trees or the chatter of sparrows at the feeder…
but the sudden hum of tiny wings darting past my shoulder while I water the flower beds.
The hummingbirds are back.
Each spring, their return feels almost magical here in Creston, BC — nestled in the beautiful Kootenays where long winters slowly give way to blossoms, birdsong, and warm afternoons spent outdoors. Over the past few years, I’ve become especially fascinated with these tiny feathered visitors and the joy they bring to our backyard garden.
This year, I’m more excited than ever to see how many varieties and returning visitors will find their way back to our little backyard haven.
Creating a Backyard Haven for Hummingbirds in the Kootenays
Over the past two years, I’ve focused much more intentionally on planting shrubs, trees, and perennial flowers that would thrive here in the Kootenays while also attracting hummingbirds and pollinators.
Our property is a large corner lot — actually closer to a lot and a half — which has allowed us to slowly expand the garden beds and experiment with different flowers and flowering shrubs.
I planted phlox, bee balm, lilies, lilac trees, butterfly bush, and crocosmia to name just a few. But one plant in particular completely transformed the number of hummingbird visitors we experienced in our yard.
Crocosmia “Lucifer.”
With its fiery scarlet-red tubular flowers and tall arching stems, it quickly became the standout attraction in the garden. The hummingbirds absolutely adore it.
That first summer after planting it, we noticed significantly more hummingbird activity around the yard. Since then, I’ve lifted and replanted many of the small baby corms from the original plants into clusters throughout the flower beds.
Last summer, the results were remarkable.
Not only did we experience many more hummingbirds visiting the yard, but we also noticed several different varieties. For the first time, I truly believe we witnessed nesting nearby.
Mid-July seemed to become a season of hummingbird lessons.
Mother hummingbirds would bring their young from flower to flower, almost as if they were teaching them where to find the sweetest nectar and safest resting places. Watching these tiny birds hover patiently beside their young was both humbling and unforgettable.
It felt less like birdwatching and more like witnessing a quiet lesson being passed from one generation to the next.
Tiny Birds, Fierce Spirits
Though hummingbirds are the world’s smallest birds, they possess astonishing energy and determination.
We often spot them perched high in the branches of our maple trees before they suddenly zoom downward to catch a tiny insect mid-air or race toward the feeder to defend their territory from another hummer.
Their speed and agility are incredible to witness up close.
One moment they hover motionless beside a blossom, wings humming almost invisibly…
and the next they vanish like tiny streaks of light across the yard.
It’s hard not to feel awe watching such a delicate creature move with so much confidence and power.
Hummingbird Symbolism & Meaning
Throughout history, hummingbirds have carried deep symbolism across many cultures and traditions.
Many Native American tribes viewed the hummingbird as a sacred messenger connected to joy, peace, love, and good fortune. In Aztec mythology, hummingbirds symbolized the sun, courage, rebirth, and the spirits of fallen warriors.
In spiritual traditions, the hummingbird’s figure-eight wing movement is often associated with infinity, resilience, and limitless possibility.
And perhaps that’s part of why they captivate so many of us.
Despite their tiny size, hummingbirds complete astonishing migrations each year, traveling thousands of miles between seasons. Their determination reminds us that even the smallest creatures can possess extraordinary strength.
To me, they are also gentle reminders to slow down and savor the sweetness of everyday life.
To pause.
To notice beauty.
To remain fully present in the moment.
“Hummingbird darts lightly through the world, spreading its message of joy and beauty, and teaching us to appreciate the wonder and magic of everyday existence.”
The Hummingbirds That Visit the Kootenays
Over time, I’ve become increasingly fascinated by the different hummingbird varieties that pass through the Kootenays each season. Some arrive briefly during migration, while others seem to return to familiar gardens year after year.
Though tiny in size, each one carries its own unique colouring, personality, and energy.
As I spend more time sketching and observing these remarkable little birds, I’ve started learning to recognize a few of the hummingbirds most commonly seen throughout our region here in southeastern British Columbia.
Rufous Hummingbird
The fiery little daredevils of the garden.
These are often the hummingbirds I notice first each spring — quick, fearless, and brilliantly coloured with flashes of coppery orange and ruby-red. Despite their tiny size, they are surprisingly territorial and never seem intimidated by anything.
Calliope Hummingbird
Tiny jewels among the mountain flowers.
The Calliope is Canada’s smallest bird, delicate and light with soft green feathers and flashes of vibrant magenta along the throat of the males. There’s something especially gentle and graceful about them.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Subtle and easy to miss at first glance.
Their colouring appears more understated until sunlight suddenly catches the throat feathers, revealing brilliant flashes of purple. They remind me that some beauty only appears when the light hits just right.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Larger, bold, and impossible not to admire.
The males shimmer with vivid pink and fuchsia tones that almost seem unreal in the sunlight. Though once considered uncommon here, they are appearing more often throughout parts of British Columbia.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
One of my personal favourites to sketch and observe.
Their soft colouring, elegant hovering movements, the broad fanning of their tail feathers and gentle expressions make them especially captivating to watch in the garden. Many of my recent hummingbird studies and paintings have been inspired by their quiet beauty.
Fun & Fascinating Hummingbird Facts
A Group of Hummingbirds is Called a “Charm”
Which somehow feels perfectly fitting.
Their Wings Move at Astonishing Speeds
Some hummingbirds beat their wings more than 50 times per second during regular flight — and over 200 times per second during dramatic courtship dives.
They Accomplish Incredible Migrations
Despite their tiny size, some species travel thousands of miles between Mexico, the United States, and Canada each year.
They May Be Tiny, But They’re Tough
Most hummingbirds live around 3–5 years, though the oldest recorded hummingbird reached an incredible 12 years of age.
A Season of Sketches & Garden Inspiration
This summer, I hope to spend even more time observing these remarkable little birds in the garden — sketchbook in hand and camera nearby.
Their movement, colour, energy, and symbolism continue to inspire both my nature-inspired art and my appreciation for the quieter rhythms of the seasons.
Every year they remind me to slow down and pay attention.
To notice the flowers opening.
To appreciate the small joys around us.
To look up whenever I hear the familiar hum overhead.
They may be the smallest birds in the garden, but somehow they carry enormous joy with them wherever they go.
And in the next Garden Journal post…
I’ll be sharing a fun look at:
“Birds That Bring Good Luck”
(Yes… hummingbirds will definitely make the list.)
"I create nature-inspired artwork and seasonal stories that celebrate birds, blooms, and the quiet beauty of everyday life."
Enjoyed this visit to The Garden Journal?
Join my email list for seasonal stories, nature-inspired art, sketchbook studies, studio updates, and occasional creative surprises delivered straight from my garden studio in Creston, BC.
0 comments