综英4-8-Hummingbir似d_Winter.pptVIP

Unit 8 Hummingbird Winter Hummingbird Winter Hummingbird Winter As winter turned to spring, I wanted to strengthen our bond. I was hoping that once I let him go, hed make my garden his territory, and I could continue our relationship. So I gave him a treat. I filled a feeder with a particularly sweet solution of 2-to- 1 water and sugar and held it in my hand. After just one taste, Squeak loved it. He began watching for me and waiting by the door handle. When I walked in, he poked around me looking for the nectar. By late April, we had become good friends. At times Squeak would hover around my head, just looking at me for no apparent reason. He even let me stroke his breast in the evening before I turned out the lights. Spring rolled around far too quickly. I had known all along that I would eventually have to release Squeak. Still, it is hard to let go of something youve treasured --even when you know its the right thing to do. Hummingbird Winter In early May the other hummingbirds returned, and when Squeak spotted them outside, he became excited, chattering and flying rapidly to and fro. One day I saw him and another male hovering beak to beak with the window between them. I knew what had to be done. May 14 would be the release date. That morning went as usual for Squeak: a shower, preening, begging for treats. At about 10:30, I finally got up the nerve to make my move. I opened the door outside for the first time since Squeaks arrival and stood with his treat in my hand. He came over for a sip, then flew back inside. He did it again and again. Each time I moved farther outside, and after a half-hour of coaxing I was a couple of feet beyond the sun room. Finally he came all the way out. He took a drink, then inspected the fuchsia plant hanging on the porch. Suddenly he lifted up, flew over the roof of the house -