"They're Here"

This image has been added to all of the PRINTS galleries.

Butterflies were my targeted subject when I captured this image. Like with most of my images of Hummingbirds, I had not intended to capture this female drinking from a Hyssop plant. She had flown in and was taking her time drifting from Hyssop to Hyssop and wandering back and forth between Bee Balm and Hyssop, while I calmly stood and took her pictures. Interestingly, throughout most of last summer the garden plants were more popular with the Hummingbirds, than our hanging feeders.

Directly related to this Hummingbird image, we had to replace our septic system last year. While it was an unfortunate hit to the bank account, there was a wonderful consolation prize that came with it. Our backyard had become a barren, sterile area that was perfect as an open canvas for gardening. We have decided to make our backyard as much of a huge “pollinator” garden as we can. These Hyssop plants were newly planted and are a part of the plan. This year, we are looking forward to expanding what was started last year and creating more opportunities for bees, butterflies, and Hummingbirds to find nourishment. And to also provide more host plants for butterflies to lay their eggs on as well. I will be anticipating the expanded opportunities to capture even more butterfly and Hummingbird images. Now all I have to do is to be patient and let April do its thing, but it’s so hard!

The month of April is so special. March Madness is concluding and baseball begins. Mountains of palletized bags of mulch fill the parking lots of home and garden centers. Lawnmowers have been brushed off and started up for the season. Mother Nature is now fully awake and flowers are blooming everywhere. And that yellow-green pollen that coats everything is floating on the breeze (let the seasonal allergies begin!). And to those who know, it’s also one of the most wonderful times of the year. The Hummingbird migration is underway and the countdown to the first sighting is on.

Hummingbirds usually arrive in our area around mid-April. Everyone is starting to put their feeders out now. And then we will have to wait, staring out the window, like the youngest daughter in the movie “Poltergeist” staring at the static on her TV. “They’re here”, are the words we are all now wishing to utter!