Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Don’t let the less-than-perfect image quality distract you. Instead, focus on what is happening in the photo.
For a brief moment, this Anna’s hummingbird sat perfectly still, and the surrounding foliage nearly swallowed it up. The tiny bird seems to disappear into the background. If you’ve seen Anna’s hummingbirds before, you know they are anything but dull. Their iridescent green feathers can shine brilliantly, and the males are known for the striking metallic red coloring on their heads.
The camouflage captured here is not really a defense strategy of the species. It was simply a matter of timing, perspective, and the angle of my lens. In reality, these birds rely more on their speed and agility than concealment. Their incredible ability to hover, dart, and maneuver makes them difficult targets.
Yet in this single moment, the hummingbird blends almost completely into its surroundings.
Literally a second later, the scene changed. With sunlight overhead and blue sky behind it, the same bird hovered while feeding on nectar, and those reflective green feathers suddenly became impossible to miss. What had blended in now stood out beautifully.
That contrast raises an interesting question for us: Are we meant to blend in or stand out?
A familiar children’s song encourages us to “let our light shine.” The song is rooted in Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Both the message of This Little Light of Mine and the words of Jesus point us in the same direction. We were not created to hide what God is doing in our lives. Rather, we are called to live in a way that reflects His goodness to others.
The hummingbird in this photo may have blended into its surroundings for a moment, but it was never meant to stay hidden. Neither are we. Let your light shine.