We only have five hummingbird feeders at the moment, but Ranger Bob said, "You need one more hanging in the porch, or there is no balance."
I wondered if the birds really cared about symmetry - they do have their notions. The first feeder to hang from the porch dropped its sticky cargo when I failed to shut it completely after filling. It is a simple tube filled upside-down, screwed shut, and suspended from the hook again. That feeder was still in the sink when Sassy's favorite visitor stopped by to arrange car issues and other matters.
Sassy, Ranger Bob, and I were enjoying a coffee break on the porch yesterday. Sassy trotted off to meet a terrier from down the cul-de-sac. They had a meet-and-greet, then I called Sassy to come back. She returned and asked for more coconut crackers from BelVita - but primarily from Bob. If Bob offers them, they are the best. If I do, well, sniff-sniff-sniff, not the same.
Mrs. Ichabod comes out to share the view or ask about when we will walk the uncrowded cul-de-sac. That is now a daily tradition in the afternoon shade. As humid and hot as this area is, the late afternoons are pleasant.
During the various discussions, our favorite hummingbird showed up. He faced us, tail down, head up, and jinked to get the full picture. This time he was higher up and looked for his porch feeder, even though three feeders were on poles in the garden and another hanging on the porch, on the far right. "OK, I will fill yours soon."
Birds have found humans to be easily trained. Hummingbirds are the bravest birds, the most unusual in size and habit, and fun to feed. I can stand almost under the porch feeder and watch the bird buzz its wings to go from port to port. When I look into a tree to find a songbird, it flies away. No wonder people dote on hummingbirds and let the rest fend for themselves.
As St. Paul observed, sowing sparingly means reaping sparingly, but sowing bountifully will lead to bountiful harvests. We always have something blooming, so the beneficial insects and hummingbirds have something to eat.
 |
| Chaste Tree blooms are so rich in color that everyone asks, "What is that?" |
Bob referenced my "weed garden," looking for a response, but he also asks about the latest blooms. The allegedly dead Chaste Tree - dried up but revived last year - burst into bloom a short time ago, and he said, "What is that on the border?" Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds were working over the deep blue flowers. "Another weed in bloom, Sarge." I told him the history of the shrub, raised to keep Medieval monks properly medicated, still used today for hormone cycles. He said, "Please print that so I can tell my relatives."
He was also struck by the majestic growth of Joe Pye Weed, especially when the one planted in the shade bloomed late (with Chaste Tree) and attracted butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
 |
| Joe Pye can be criticized for being ungainly, spindly, slow to bloom, and long in going to seed - but it is the first plant to sell out at supplies each time. |
