Hummingbirds: My Winter Guests

by Arnette Heidcamp and Tiffany Clarke Harrison

Arnette Heidcamp has had more experiences with hummingbirds in her house than any other bird lover. After sharing the story of Squeak and Rosie, she now tells us about ten more feathered visitors in Hummingbirds: My Winter Guests. Arnette's winter guests were birds who because of illness or injury were unable to fly south for the winter, or birds that had migrated to the wrong place and needed a winter refuge. Among them were Charlie, a rubythroat...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517708841
• ISBN13: 9780517708842
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

Arnette Heidcamp a true hummingbird whisperer

Have you ever known a person to whom animals flock to when injured or in need of help, almost like God guided them to that certain someone? Well, Arnette Heidcamp is that person to whom Hummingbirds seek out. If you're familiar with her other writings, you know that birds in trouble are drawn to her. In "Hummingbirds: My Winter Guests", Arnette Heidcamp tells the story of more of her rescued hummingbird visitors. Among them are Little Peeper, who has a shoulder injury; Charlie, who was attacked by a cat; K-T, who flew into a window at breakneck speed; Little One, who's nest was destroyed; Crystal and Red who were both off migratory track Rufous hummingbirds. Come Spring when they are fully recovered all of Arnette Heidcamp's little angels are returned to the wild. This time one of them, Crystal, stays in Arnette's backyard for awhile much to her surprise. As with other of Arnette Heidcamp's books this book has amazingly beautiful photography that she took herself, of the winter guests. An excellent book for anyone who loves birds or memoirs about nature.

Delightful and charming ...

This is a delightful book that shares the intimate lives of hummingbirds on-the-mend. I fell in love with all the author's wintering guests: Charlie, Little One, Peeper, Red, Crystal, and K-T. I was sincerely sad when the book ended; I wished there were a hundred more pages. Aside from the book being full of love and wonder, it's also an informative book that explores hummingbird behavior. Some of the information that Ms. Heidcamp shares was helpful for me, since I have spent much of my time watching hummingbirds in my own tree-studded backyard. It is obvious that the author genuinely loves these beautiful little gems, as she diligently nurtures these birds back to health so that they may be released back into nature. I honestly felt her sadness in "letting go." My only disappointment is that Ms. Heidcamp did not mention what happened to Peeper, the "Little Angel," with a shoulder injury. I would like to know how things worked out for him. I would also love to learn more about some of the questions readers and bird lovers have asked the author over the years and her answers to those questions.

A delightful book that shares a rare intimacy with hummers.

Hummingbirds : My Winter Guests is a wonderful little book. It is rare to have the opportunity to view hummingbirds so closely over a long period of time. The author conveys the personality of each of her little guests, and educates you about them without reading like a textbook. I fell in love with each of her guests, and was sad as each of them left. My only criticism is that she never finished the story of Peeper. She said that all of her guests eventually left and described each one's leaving, Peeper's healing and leave-taking were not addressed. Since he became my favorite, I still want to know more of what happened to him. I have 2 more of her books to read - I'm saving them for when I need a day of magic, which these books certainly present.