First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird's Story

by Noriko Carroll, Don Carroll

More than 320 species of hummingbirds inhabit North, Central, and South America. Seventeen species nest in the United States alone, and seven of those inhabit the Las Vegas area. But only one Black-chinned Hummingbird chose to nest on the back porch of Las Vegas residents Noriko and Don Carroll.When Noriko and Don Carroll moved from New York City to suburban Las Vegas, they found a tiny nest on a clothesline on their back porch. As the Carrolls settled into their new home, so did a female hummingbird they named Honey. For weeks, the Carrolls watched in fascination as they witnessed an event few humans are privy to-the birth and growth of two hummingbirds.
First Flight is the beautifully photographed story of Honey and her two chicks, Ray and Zen. In over 50 stunning, full-color close-ups, it captures the grace, the beauty, and the simultaneous strength and fragility of one of nature's tiniest birds.
Professional photographer Don Carroll's images of his tiny housemates are woven throughout with Noriko's charming narrative describing the mother bird and her developing brood.
Not just for bird enthusiasts, First Flight is a magical mix of hummingbird field guide, personal story, and new life taking flight. Readers will be captivated by the inherent drama as it unfolds in miniature, and they'll cheer as babies Ray and Zen make their own first flights out into a bright new world.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Photography, Animals

112 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kristal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay...I'm a nerd. I needed some easy reading to help calm me down at night. Amazon recommended this because apparently I have an addiction to bird books. A 3rd grader could have read this book so 'easy' it was. I still LOVED it. The photos were awesome. Being a Bluebird monitor you do get a little maternal over the hacklings. This book was well written with facts intertwined within and gave me the same "motherly" feeling I get for watching the baby birds go and fledge. I liked the message so much that I gave the book as a gift to my mom for Easter. If you want something 'easy' to unwind with, enjoy photos in your book and enjoy nature....check it out.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treat for hummingbird lovers, as it involves a couple who inherit a hummingbird complete with a nest held to a clothesline by clothespins. Yes. The photography is incredible, the writing simple, and the experience unforgettable. Seeing these black-throated hummingbirds--Honey and her chicks Ray and Zen--in pictures over a few months is a rare treat.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book!

[Tom Garback]

Very cute!

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great!