Hummingbirds

Nature Comes to Me

| Flower Roberts

I came very close to falling last night. We have steps everywhere outside. I needed to water some pots. I started down some steps at the spigot, I stumbled in slow motion. My bionic knee pogo-sticked me into the air. It was a miracle.
I have promised myself to stay on level ground until my surgery later this month.
I slithered out the front door to my chair. I sat quietly as hummingbirds zoomed across in front of me.
They love the Firecracker Vine. Males and females buzzed by my head. I enjoy the sound of their wings and the quick chirps they make.

Firecracker Vine / Ipomea lobata/ Spanish flag vine

Then not one, but two, Pileated Woodpeckers landed in a tree close-by. These two giants seemed to be conversing face-to-face on the trunk.

Two Pileated Woodpeckers

I am so grateful for these lovely visitors right outside my door. They are all the company I need.

FLOW with friends

Hiding from a Hummer

| Flower Roberts

Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking myself clever.

I post chairs around the garden to get the wildlife used to the chairs.

Then I quietly slip in the chairs to spy and take photographs without being noticed.

Last week I hunkered down in an Adirondak chair near the alstroemeria.

The female hummingbird zoomed in and spent time perusing the entire patch.

She moved so quickly that I aimed and snapped without focusing.

Before she flew away, she hovered right smack dab in front of my startled face.

She was letting me know that she saw me all along.

Flow

Hangin’ out with a Hummer

| Flower Roberts

It has taken many quiet hours to get these little jewels habituated to my presence.

I have placed chairs in different spots in the yard,

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where I quietly sit most days, just long enough to be noticed and then ignored.

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A Pineapple Sage bloom came off on her beak.

I sat among the herbs in the bunny yard today to get these shots.

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Turk’s Cap

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She even hovered in front of my face and the camera, too close for the zoom lens.

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Passion Flower hybrid

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She took breaks between plants.

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Today’s flower favorites were are Pineapple sage, Turk’s cap, Passion Flower hybrid ‘Blue Crown’ and Mexican bush sage.

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Mexican Bush Sage

Mr. Cardinal came to pose, too.

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FLOWER is a quiet friend.