Yesterday morning about 7:30, I spied a single hummingbird trying to find nectar in some of my remaining day lilies. Since I did not yet have a hummingbird feeder up, I paid a visit to my local garden store yesterday afternoon and purchased a new shepherd's crook (7') and a basic red plastic container for nectar. I make my own H.B. food, 4 parts filtered water to 1 part sugar, boiled and cooled, which I did immediately upon arriving home, and put up the feeder yesterday afternoon.
My first "happy" for today happened at 9:32 a.m. while I was looking out the window, watching the variety of birds that visit my regular feeders. Lo, and behold! There at the new feeder was a beautiful little hummingbird. He/she lingered to take multiple sips of my homemade nectar, then flew off into the trees. I'm hoping s/he spreads the news that the new feeder station is open for business.
For some time, I have had a yearning for some Tropicanna Canna Lilies, and had been searching various Internet plant catalogs. I thought the price asked was a bit steep, but had almost resolved myself to order a few bare-root plants to be shipped in the fall. However, Fate stayed my hand, and I did not "click to order." A good thing! Because...
...I had another "happy" yesterday afternoon whilst browsing the plant section of above mentioned store. There, on sale ( I love sales) were Tropicanna Canna Lilies. Since I had already picked out a perfect spot for them, I bought four of them.
Gardening Daughter visited a little later in the afternoon and said she had spied some of the same, but nicer plants (she thought) at another garden shop, and drove me to said facility. She was right! They were much larger plants, in lovely condition, although at a higher price than what I had paid for the others. I bought two, anyway.
A serendipity at this other shop was a pallet full of odds and ends of mulch, top soil and sand. Some of the bags had tears, and daughter thought they might be on sale for half price, so she inquired. Amazing! The whole pallet, as is, no additions, no subtractions, could be had for a paltry $8.50. We came home with 3 bags of top soil, 1 bag of sand, 12 bags of cypress mulch and one bag of pine bark mulch. All will be put to good use in my yard.
Daughter has just showed up at my door to help me plant the items purchased yesterday, so that's another happy! I'm always happy for the assistance.
More, later; I'm off to work in the yard!
18 comments:
Pat our hummingbirds seem to like the hanging flowers I hang on either end of the feeder more than the hummingbird feeder we put up. We just love them.
I love cannas, and can't wait to see pics of these when they come up.
As we get older, we take our happy in as small a piece as it may come. Glad you had a couple in one day!
all you need to be happy is the right frame of mind....
Good daughter, Pat... You 'trained' her well... Glad you got your Canna lilies.
AND--I still have only seen 1-2 hummingbirds in my yard--and none at my feeders. I'm sad about that. Glad you got a feeder for them now what many of the flowers are gone.
Hugs,
Betsy
Well, what wonderful goings-on in your flower garden! Happy to hear of your hummingbird visitor and the great deal on mulch. Good thing your daughter inquired about it.....it pays to do that sometimes. Take care!
Hummingbirds are lovely...and I'm happy they landed at your place.
Smiles from Jackie (still in North Carolina on vacation...)
Wow, you certainly had a lot of happy's for one day.
Happy, happy. It's so easy, isn't it. And, you'll be happier when allis planted and spread! Amazing what a small bird and a plant will do. The Tropicanna looks lovely.
Wow a good day of "happy" but the bargain pallet had to be a great big happy.
Hi Pat, Our hummingbirds always come to our red cannas and my red lantanas. I plant them in the same spot every year. They are so fun to watch!
I must have everyone's hummers. I am making 2 quarts of nectar per day and edging towards the 3 quart days. Sounds like a bee hive on my porch.
I am so envious of your $8.50 pallet of goodies. You got such a deal.
How exotic your garden must be, Pat. We had a regular visitor to our garden in Cuernavaca...a humming bird, tiny wee little thing, but he/she was as grey brown as a mouse.
How wonderful for you... and for us, as we'll see lovely photos of your garden. You've convinced me to get and set up a hummingbird feeder. I enjoyed the one up at Frank's cottage so much. Hopefully the wasps won't be attracted to it and the hummers will.
I like people whose happiness comes from simple things.
It takes diligent effort for me to get regular hummingbirds, starting with putting out the feeder in early May when they first arrive. I won't have piles until migration starts in late summer. It's amazing you had one stick around a little so quickly after putting out your feeder!
Thanks for sharing those experiments, Pat. I am sure the word will get around fast among the hummer circles about your new feeder.
Over here hummers are replaced by Sunbirds. I get two regulars to my yard.
I love the idea of county "happy"s. I should try that.
I just love hummingbirds! They can be quite chatty....and are aggressive when it comes to getting to the nectar. Mama has about 20 hummingbirds coming to her feeders. She can't keep them filled! They are beautiful birds.
Once, Mama found a hummingbird's nest. Can you imagine how small it was...sigh. She kept it inside an old-fashioned matchbox. Unfortunately, she kept the matchbox on top of the mantle over the fireplace. Daddy picked it up, shook it, heard no matches, and tossed it into the fire. Mama hasn't found another nest since...and if she does, she will be more careful and protective of it.
Smiles from Jackie
some days I'm just happy I woke up...
Hello Pat!
A couple of times Today's Flowers have experienced that the guest friend has forgotten to make an entry on their guest day. That is why we have decided to ask for an e-mail adress from each one. Can you please send me your e-mail, and I will remind you when it is your turn. My e-mail adress: cissom@hotmail.com. And please tell me which name you have on your blog!
Have a nice week!
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