Harbinger

On By ResaIn Birds, Graffiti Alley, Nick Sweetman

Looks like a Hummingbird on an olive branch,

“To some, sighting a hummingbird signals that challenging times are over and healing can begin.”  

“To others, these tiny fliers are an inspiring sign of hope and good luck.” 

“Hummingbirds also can have a spiritual significance and mean the spirit of a loved one is near.”

The olive branch is a symbol of peace.

I feel there is a great message in this simple wall painting,

… that I found midst a great debris.

Pics taken by Resa – April 19, 2024

Toronto, Canada

The Artist: Nick Sweetman (lower right – 1st pic)

Probably assisted Nick

Hummingbird info source: Birds & Blooms magazine

135 thoughts on “Harbinger”

  1. A Hummingbird singing…as I’ve just read… ‘Has a series of buzzes, then a clearer, then more tuneful whistle’. Why I did that, I’m not sure! May be I wanted to now. Anyway does it help? Regards, TOF

    1. Hello TOF,
      Thank you, yes it helps to know song is in the air, always.
      Also, I did not know that is how they sing their song. I love learning new things! (as opposed to the same old things I learn over and over, from the same mistakes I make over and over. But now I know them better!)
      Be well!

  2. Magnificemt my darling. So beautiful AND telling you now…. It also appeared at the very bottom of the sceen in my reader and I thought…that’s Resa and instantly scrolled down. Look at where you found it and that’s the stroy of how I did. Like a phoenix rsing. xxxxxxxxxxx

        1. Yay, and you should feel cheery!

          Dave’s is a serious literature blog. A mention is golden.
          Of course I have raised you as an example several times. LOVE your Romance novels!

          1. Well you are wonderful Resa, really to do that. I was abso loving that blog of his cos it was all the serious big beasts of Scottish lit, Conan Doyle–who I loved as a teenager, Scott, our national bard Burns, and Stevenson, who I adored as a child, and then I nearly dropped!! I remidned myself then of all the wonderful writers Scotland has given the world for a small country.

            1. It’s a wonderful thing to appreciate one’s heritage.
              I loved reading Conan Doyle when I was a kid, too! I still enjoy watching the old Holmes movies with Basil Rathbone and I just watched a 70’s version with Sir Christopher Plummer last week.
              I love Burns’ poetry, and when I was young, memorized many. Time passed and I don’t remember a’ the words, but I do remember a’ to “A Red Red Rose”.
              Luve to you, dear Shey!
              xxxxxxx

              1. My lord… I thought Basil Rathbone was the best Holmes ..you kidding me here. ?? Oh, and Plummer is brill whatever. Lately I have to think that Downey Junior nails Holmes in other ways The character is that brill, there’s lot of ways. As for my love is like a red red rose?? Well for its time ?? quietly epic. Now to return to Conan Doyle himself ..well, being here in Dundee, I understand his father spent time in an asylum in Montrose just up the coast and given the harshness of life at that time I don’t blame him.

                2. YES!!!
                  Downey …mmmm… I’ll give it another shot, but I’m not a fan, unless he gets killed in the movie.
                  It’s hard to think of life before all our conveniences. I don’t blame him either.
                  However, I still love some old fashioned inconveniences, like going to the library, and walking where I have to go.

                  1. Basil Rathbone, for me will aye be the best onscreen Holmes. I actually don’t like Downey particularly. He gave a slightly more eccentric than anything performance but I felt Holmes could be interpreted that way. He sure wasn’t your average ‘hero. Ands that is why I quite liked his performance. I guess it was a Holmes for today’s viewers.

                    1. I’ll give it another try!
                      Downey delivers one of his annoying persona performances in an older Tommy Lee Jones movie, U.S. Marshalls. He plays a jerk and Tommy Lee shoots him dead at the end. Most satisfying!!!!!
                      xxxx

    1. Welcome Dave!
      For many of us, colour is lacking this time of year.
      Just need to enjoy a few more drab weeks(easy enough with the arts), then colour will begin to burst.
      Have a great week!

    1. I’m into beauty and a positive message more than ever. That is not to say I’ve got my head in the sand. I will stay au current.

      According to some others, pigeons are nature’s assholes?
      Imo, often that description fits humans best.
      LOL!
      xx

  13. Nice mural, nice message, maybe we can translate this image to hope flying over, hoping it will land some day, over Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, and bring sense in the USA, Russia and China; as for Canada, lets train our beavers, polar bears, harfang des neiges and blue jays, as well as other friendly animals to defend us against you know who, the one that name shall not be pronounced…:)

    1. I agree!
      So much hate in the world, hate that is worse than useless – destructive.
      Skunks would also be helpful in defence.
      Ahh yes… I know who!
      the 🟠💩
      xo

  14. The Hummingbird painting I feel like you, is representing peace, as it flies above the debris below, and in the district it was painted…

    I instinctively feel, when we look for the harbinger of peace we will find it. That which we focus upon, we attract..
    So I welcome the Hummingbird, and its message..

    Here’s to Peace and Harmony..

    Much love dear Resa, have a lovely new week xx ❤

    1. Cheers to peace and harmony back at you, Sue!
      The hummingbird flew at me when I was looking for what to post.
      I so wanted to make a positive post.
      Much love back to you Sue!
      xo🌺💖❦

  17. Hello Resa, another fantastic image with a poignant message behind it. The Hummingbird is nature’s “aerobatics masters” but unfortunately aren’t the greatest long distance flyers which is a shame as the message sorely needs to be delivered to several (un-named but you know which) countries and political leaders. They’d probably ignore it but that just means we need to repeat it till they hear and act positively to it. The artwork itself is again outstanding, the detailing in the feathers and eye is brilliant. Thanks for sharing once more.

    1. You are welcome Tyeth!

      You have made a profound comment on the need for the hummingbird message, and I agree; after Friday more than ever.

      Yes, the artwork here is incredible.

      I can’t believe so many days have gone by before I answered this comment. Your new post must be up already.

      See you there!

  19. Mothaf….. I cannot believe this issue still is not fixed. Effen WP.

    So, where was I? Wonderful, fabulous and timely discovery, Sorceress!

    So much beauty it takes your eye away from the mess.

    Keep on finding these wonderful scenes that we need so desperately now.

    xoxoxoxo

    1. Lol… you were in a WP comments BS hole..

      But before that you were enjoying some street art!
      It’s almost walking weather… I feel so desperate to walk… a LONG walk, outside, not a short walk, or a mall walk, but a real walk in the fresh air in the alleys of Toronto.

      Maybe manyana!
      It’s +4c right now, but the hills of snow are turning the walkways into dangerous slime, icy patches with water on top and other possible bone breaker opportunities.

      I need to find more inspiring art!
      xoxoxo⚡️💥xoxoxo

      1. Do not get me started with that shite.

        I was indeed, enjoying. Walking weather, eh? We had +4 today, so I could have, had I the energy.

        The sidewalks were pretty darn good where I work. I’m going to go for it manana!

        By the way, the one day I actually saw cool art, we were in a taxi FLYING. Pffft. Useless.

        xoxoxo 🧚🏼‍♀️🌟xoxoxo

          1. I couldn’t in this case. However, when next I go to St. Thomas, I will walk from ship to “down town” 😉
            xoxoxo 🧚‍♂️🪄xoxoxo

                1. (walk envy) I’m going tomorrow. Hopefully the dangerous icy slush will be less. Honestly,I just looked at the 2 week forecast. There is NO sun!
                  Oh, except for 1 day, and for that 1 day the temp will plunge to -16
                  WTF?
                  xoxoxoxoxo

                  1. Oh, I hope it’s walkable for you! Ugh. No sun is downright depressing. Today was meh sunwise.
                    Yeah, We will supposedly see some sun tomorrow afternoon, then Friday, somewhat and then Sunday – but it will be -12 during the day -21 at night. I’m quite done with this.
                    xoxoxoxoxo

                    1. Uch.. slush and water over ice. Too, dangerous. Did a mini walk. I’m done with it too.
                      Mii walk tomorrow. Provincial voting day tomorrow…rain & snow they say. Last time I looked, that meant sleet!
                      xoxoxoxo

                    2. Blech. I did manage to go out 🙂
                      Beautiful blue skies and sunshine. Woo hoo!
                      Tomorrow, it appears I might be walking in the snow. No matter as it won’t be too cold.
                      Voting is important!
                      xoxoxoxo
                      Here’s a little of my walk, https://www.instagram.com/p/DGjAMzkvzmh/?img_index=1
                      And yesterday, a special mural that has since be vomited on (I’ve taken it before but somehow missed the plaque.)

                    3. Nice!
                      Envious.
                      Can hardly wait! I checked the 2 week forecast. GREY!!! Almost no sun. Going down to -16c and other annoying munis degree coldness for several days soon.
                      UCH!
                      Have you seen the 🟠💩’s AI video of the 🟠💩’s Resort Gaza?
                      O……M……G!

                    4. Thank you! So sorry you’re not getting any. It was our one day! My too much in the forecast.
                      Have not seet the 🟠🤡💩 of that. FFS,,,

  21. I have a friend who surrounds herself with hummingbird images – they remind her of her mother who appeared as a hummingbird after her death. We see them every now and then moving at light speed!

    1. Thanks Jan!
      Interesting about your friend’s mom post death appearance.
      The hummers are quite fascinating little creatures.
      They must be signs of positivity!

  23. Love the art and the message. I believe the orange one is going down faster each day and the republicans are running for cover. I think this is the perfect work to prove that.❤️

    1. Yayayayay! xoxoxoxo
      I saw a local Republican town hall video. I thought the constituents were going to eat their rep alive!
      I love this art. I saved it for a figuratively rainy day! xxxxx

      1. People are enraged and won’t even let the republicans talk. They are truly furious and the morons-far right, are becoming afraid of the people. I love that. I don’t think the orange thing will be around much longer. He’s disgusting and he is being attacked on all fronts. He hates being laughed at and Robert DeNero is taking him down, so are a lot of other stars. He hates it and is furious, which makes all of us laugh harder and his wife came into this country illegally and was given papers that were illegal and she should be deported immediately. Aside from her terrible reputation. She and the orange things were called grifters and I think that’s a good way of looking at them.

    1. Yes Diana … especially peace.
      War is so tiresome at a distance. It must be HORRID to live through. Yet, there have been plenty of mostly men who want to fight.
      I’m sick of it and them!

      John Lennon’s message of peace had really grown around the world. Governments hated him.
      ❦❦🌹❦❦

  26. You found treasure, Resa. When I see a hummingbird I feel a lift to my spirits. I can see why they are a symbol of healing. Their ability to hover in place and move swiftly from flower to flower signifies agility and resilience, qualities associated with recovery and vitality. A beautiful post and a perfect way to start the week. Many thanks!!! Sending hugs!

    1. Agree about hummingbirds, Rebecca!
      I am thrilled you found this a perfect way to start the week.
      I did so want to send out a positive vibe! Hugs!

    1. That’s Toronto 24/7 “Under Construction”
      John, I love the way one can find beauty in the craziest of places.
      You are welcome!
      🚧🛠

  29. It’s a breathtaking (yes, breathtaking!) mural and hey, if there is a sign of hope in there somewhere, I think we should all say a big thank you. Because we sure do need a sign of hope with all the craziness going on in the world.

  30. Hi Resa!! What a gorgeous hummingbird and your interpretations of its beautiful message. Love everything about this painting, and it makes me feel hopeful. I love how art can bring such a positive message to those who come across it… thanks so much for sharing! XOXO ‭❤ ❦ ♡

    1. Thank you Ruth! I wanted to put out a positive message. Today’s time require massive inputs of positivity!
      I will do my best via the art(s)!
      XO💖XO

  33. I adore this mural, Resa! I think symbols go deeper than ordinary meaning — like the “hope” of a hummingbird. Many years ago, when I worked in Albuquerque, one morning I came upon a poor dead hummingbird on the sidewalk outside my office building. It made me feel like the world might end.
    Keep giving us your wonderful, positive posts. Hugs on the wing.

    1. I’m thrilled my posts seem positive. I was out for love and peace this morning, and I’m thrilled bloggers are responding to that!
      HUGS!

  35. Hi Resa, what an inspirational artwork to find in such a sad and neglected place. I love that hummingbirds represent such positive messages. In Southern Africa, our hummingbird equivalent is called a sunbird. Isn’t that cool?

  37. I absolutely love this painting, Resa, and here’s the reason:

    “Hummingbirds also can have a spiritual significance and mean the spirit of a loved one is near.”

    Yes, my mom! Every time I see a hummingbird, I think of her, sometimes sensing her presence. I had an experience once time that was written into a short fiction piece.

    Of course with the olive branch, I feel peace. Beautiful symbolism in these tiny, amazing creatures.

    Have a wonderful Friday! Sending hugs, love, peace, and hope! 💞🔆🕊️💗

    1. HUGS!
      I’m thrilled you got to see this painting.
      I’m also happy it made you think of your mom. How wonderful that something as glorious as a hummingbird is your mom’s presence.

      Is that short fiction piece on your blog somewhere? I’d like to read it.

      I can hardly wait to get back into the alleys. Unfortunately there has been so much snow, now ICE… that it makes for a dangerous bone breaking walk.
      Have a fab Friday, too!!!!
      🕊💙🌹💙🕊
      WOW is MOM – upside down.

      1. I loved this post for the sentimental reasons, Resa, and yes, be careful outside! And I’m sure you can’t wait to take more pics in those alleys, and share the gems with us! We can’t wait! LOL Honestly, I don’t remember if I shared the story, so I’ll email it to you. I fictionalized it, and it’s a 100 word Drabble. Please keep in mind that I may edit it. I’m compiling about 20 for a book of Drabble. 🙂 Love and hugs, and Happy Weekend! xoxoxoxo

        1. I saw the mail, and gave a quick read. I’ll read it again tomorrow! I had not read it before.

          Huh! A Drabble book. That sounds like fun.
          I only recently learned that word, and the word ficlet.
          Okay, have a FAB Sunday!
          xoxoxoxo

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