Well, I didn't think I would get any bird pics today, but I did. And it was the hummingbird! Don't get too excited; I take lousy pictures of them because I don't have feeders. Now, for those who don't know my yard, most everything is native or beneficial to butterflies in some way. But I do have a separate section of the yard that Dad ceded to me that I call my actual "butterfly garden". And that's where the hummingbird was.
Well, let me back up, When I first walked out the side door of the garage, the male Cardinal was once again attacking the side mirror on Dad's truck. I chased it back to the tree. Then, I noticed something moving my pentas around. I knew a butterfly wasn't big enough to do that, and at first I thought maybe the lizards were jumping around. But then I saw that flash of green. Dad and my brother spotted the hummingbird last week in front of the house. But this time, it was over in the side yard and was only interested in my magic red pentas. Why are they magic? Well, if you look through the butterfly threads from last year, you'll see a consistent pattern. Despite the fact that I planted an attractive mix of magenta, pink, and red pentas, the butterflies kept consistently going for the red. It was getting a little ridiculous, so I started saying they must be magical. Apparently, the magic has continued because I also have Salvia 'Black and Blue' and 'Mystic Spires' currently blooming and I didn't see the hummingbird on that. Or the Jatropha, come to think of it.
Now, my pictures suck because hummingbirds are pretty skittish. It's that green blur near the top of the red pentas. Oh hey, you can see 'Mystic Spires' to the right!
I'm kind of proud that I can attract them without using feeders. I'm too lazy to maintain a feeder, anyway. Plus, I like to make things fend for themselves. Also, I don't try to attract birds because of the caterpillar situation. Speaking of birds, though, I have this one that I hear quite often but I heard it this morning and thought I'd mention it. I don't know which one it is, but there's one that sounds like the sound you make when you're playing "Star Wars" and shooting a blaster. You know, "Pew! Pew! Pew!" Like video game noise. Yesterday, we had one imitating the phone ringing in the garage. That was super annoying.
In bird-related news, Mom is making a pair of pillowcases for my aunt who is down here visiting with Grandma. The pattern has Goldfinches on it which are very common at my grandmother's feeders. In fact, I've only ever seen them in West Virginia. I thought you guys might like to see the fabric. Plus, my mom needs lots of positive feedback. She has self esteem issues.
Oh, well, he'll be back and I'll try to be less of an elephant.
That is better!
so not dark at all here. I hate losing that hour when the time changes. 
