Avian Obsessions
To The Best Of Our Knowledge
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The Hummingbird Paradox: Nature, Art, and Spirituality
This chapter examines the cultural and scientific significance of hummingbirds, particularly in the context of evolution and artistry during the late 19th century. It highlights the contrasting perspectives of creationism and evolution, as well as the profound impact these birds had on literature, art, and spirituality, notably in the post-Civil War era. Through figures like Martin Johnson Heade and poets like Emily Dickinson, the chapter illustrates how hummingbirds became symbols of beauty, fleetingness, and a new understanding of divinity.
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