This is a picture of a type of hummingbird we have here in California. I've not had much luck with hummingbird feeders but they love my flowers and are often seen in the back feasting on the fuchsias. An article I found said they can be found mostly during the warm seasons of spring and summer. Well, someone forgot to tell my little friend!
I can't remember if I have shown you picture of the hedge that goes up to my front door. I just love it! It's a Camellia Sasanqua called Apple Blossom and it starts to bloom in the winter near Christmas. Your garden variety camellias need shade but the sasanquas can take the sun so it was the perfect choice for some winter color. When nothing much else is blooming it puts out a riot of pink and white flowers that can be seen from down the street and a dusting of petals up to the front door. It has attracted a little hummingbird who has taken up residence amongst the branches and has been living there since summer.
In fact, when I went out this morning to get the Sunday paper it really startled me. It sleeps amongst the branches near the front and when I walk by it is jumps up and rushes off making the loudest little funny motor boat engine sound. Scared the be-jabbers out of me. I have tried to look to see if I can see a nest but so far haven't been able to see where she sleeps.I've decided not to trim the hedge after the camellia finishes blooming like I usually do. I'm not sure when hummingbirds lay eggs and I would hate to harm any babies. I'll have to let the gardener know as well. So scraggly camellias it is! Worth it in my book.
So what are your plans for the new year? Do you make resolutions? Are you going to create a "bucket list" of goals or try to change a habit? Whatever it is I hope you are successful. One thing for sure I'm going to do is keep an eye out for my little friend.
Toodles!
7 comments:
I might have to try a camelia that can take sun! So pretty. (I hope that word verification word "waste" doesn't indicate it would be a waste of time here in Livermore!)
Happy New Year Miss Jean. I have so enjoyed your blog in 2011 and look forward to following you in 2012.
Wonderful that you have such precious nature right outside your front door! There is something to be said for scraggly shrubs when there is a hummingbird involved.
I don't make resolutions (typically) but I hope to have a productive and healthy year.
Wishing you the same!
Oh, you lucky girl! We have snow outside -- no beautiful flowers. I hope you had a wonderful Holiday. I knew I should have been sewing yesterday LOL!
My first time here through A Gardner's Cottage. I love your pictures. I have never seen a hummingbird that color. Here in Louisiana they are mostly red and
green.
Hi Jean,
A very Happy New Year to you! I have two camellia plants in my front yard and I love them..I did not know about the Camellia Sasanqua. I think I'll be off to the nursery to find one of these baby this weekend. I love humming birds! how fun to have one so close that you can watch.
I didn't make any resolutions either or choose a word, I have been reading a lot of people choosing a word for the year.
I purchased some civil war fabric to make a quilt so I'll be getting busy with that soon. We are still working in our kitchen and front room having molding installed and new lights.
So Busy, Busy I guess is what I'll be all year too..I hope to see you soon.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth
Happy New Year to you and yours, Miss Jean! I hope 2012 is filled with lots of gardening and quilting!
I've passed your quilting posts on to a friend sho's a major quilter and she loves them!
Love your camellias and little hummer! What a joy to have fresh blooming flowers in the middle of winter. All we have here is brown and wet. Not complaining mind you ~ this is the mildest winter I can ever remember with almost no snow. Big switch from last year when it seemed the snow would never end.
Anyways, so nice to meet you and thank you for following. Following right back :)
Cindy
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