The Stranger
by Brenda
January 18, 2026
(Missouri)
We live in Central Missouri and have many Ruby Hummers that we enjoy feeding every year.
One year we decided to visit the west coast in September.
By now most of the birds had left for their summer home.
My daughter, who lives near us said she would watch the remaining feeder.
We arrived back home the second week in October.
The feeder was still up.
The next morning, I went out to take the feeder down to clean and put it away for next year.
Something went buzzing close to my head and I knew exactly what it was or thought I did.
What was that? I asked myself.
I watched the feeder and soon a small bird appeared.
Not a Ruby like we have here, but a beautiful little Rufous.
The weather was getting cold here and I found myself wishing the little guy would travel on.
I was wrapping the feeder in bubble wrap so it wouldn't freeze.
December came and it was even colder.
I wasn't sure what to do.
I knew the bird was from a higher climate and must have been lost but I didn't want to take his food away.
One night the temperature dropped even lower and I was concerned for the bird.
I went out back to check the feeder and the little guy was there.
He made a circle around me and flew.
I never saw him again but I have pictures of him at the feeder that I can enjoy.
Sometimes a stranger comes in a small package.
