Lately, I've been thinking a lot about serendipity. In science, it's as much more about how much you notice than how competent you are technically. And often advances are made by looking at situations in a different way. I've been feeling like I'm at a dead end as research efforts are being stymied and other unexpected difficulties making some previously planned activities unlikely. There's always the angst that accompanies applications, because nothing is more discouraging than staring at a blank white page. But something happened tonight that has brightened my mood significantly!
I was walking back from Chinese class with my boyfriend when we stumbled upon a hummingbird! It was perched still on the pavement right in front of the doors of Annenberg, and at first, we were not even sure if it was alive.
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It turned out to be extremely lethargic, but otherwise appearing uninjured. Nonetheless, we wanted to ask some more knowledgable friends for advice, so we brought it back to Avery. I had the chance to hold a hummingbird in my hands! We filled a cup with sugar water for it and already the bird was livening up. It perched onto the plastic cup, and took a few sips. The hummingbird's tongue was translucent, and about the thickness of an eyelash--it was truly beautiful to see it dart its tongue quickly in and out of the cup of water.
This bird has a few speckles of iridescent brilliant red on its throat, and we guess that it is either an Allen's Hummingbird or a Rufous Hummingbird. Anyways, the bird seemed quite distressed to be in such a bright settings with many people ogling it, so we placed it back outside in a more secluded location, with a small dish of sugar water by it. I last checked on it half an hour ago, but it already is hopping around and chirping quite indignantly when I accidentally disturbed it from its perch by adding more water to its cup.
Oh I almost forgot to mention this. The bird POOPED on me! Yeah, no photo of that, obviously. :P
Anyways, life has the strangest ways of reminding you that luck favors the prepared mind--I can't control my circumstances, but I can make sure that I'm ready to make the best of what does come my way.
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