A Hummingbird Summer

In Merrill Coffin’s wildlife painting created in 1992, A Hummingbird Summer , three vibrant hummingbirds dance around blooming beebalm, pausing just long enough to sip sweet nectar. Set in front of a simple white fence, the scene is alive with movement, color, and summertime stillness.

Beebalm, with its spiky red blossoms, is a favorite of hummingbirds—and Merrill captures that relationship with exquisite detail and reverence. Each tiny bird, caught mid-hover, is full of energy and grace. Their iridescent feathers glint against the soft white of the fence and the lush greenery beyond, making the entire composition feel both grounded and fleeting.

There’s something nostalgic about the setting. The old fence, the riot of beebalm, and the buzzing life of the garden all speak to warm days spent outdoors, where nature takes center stage. Merrill’s signature style brings just the right balance of realism and heart, capturing not just what the moment looks like—but what it feels like.

A Hummingbird Summer is more than a study in wildlife; it’s a tribute to the joy found in a backyard bloom, a still summer morning, and the flicker of wings too fast to follow. It’s a gentle reminder to pause, observe, and appreciate the beauty buzzing just outside our doors.