Last week, I painted a small hummingbird family for the “Operation Gaia” fundraiser held by Changeling Artist Collective for the National Audubon Society.

It’s quite strange to think of hummingbirds as strong and resilient creatures. But, as the smallest of birds, they persist through storms, habitat destruction and pollution time and time again. They are a reminder that no matter how small or helpless we feel, we can weather the storm and even protect the vulnerable.