Sunday, August 17, 2008

Anticipating Good Stuff

There is talk of a hurricane. Tropical Storm Fay is gearing up in Cuba today and visitors to the Florida Keys have been evacuated. I remember Floyd in 1999 – a disaster in Maryland, so I’m not hoping for a hurricane, by any means. The last hurricane I experienced was in Delaware, 2003 - a somewhat rainless hurricane with high winds that left leaves on trees dehydrated and black.

According to the storm’s track, heading north to the southeastern coastal states, our rain-starved region might have a tropical depression soak us late this week. Isn’t this great news? High winds will topple our weakened, stressed trees so I hope the winds are minimal.

And, my camera is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. I’ll test it under the clouds and maybe take some shots of hummingbirds in the rain… Without a camera this week I’ve seen bats dawn and dusk and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers on a Crepe Myrtle a few feet from my front porch. Without a doubt, they were BGGs – a lifer. I do pay attention to what everyone shares on their birdy blogs.

Anticipating clouds this week, I thought I’d share the last sunny photos from my late Kodak EasyShare. Honestly, I don’t know if any camera will make me as happy.


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My first Lavender, ever. I’ll plant them in bulk next spring.


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On Saturday evening, dinner was done. In the kitchen, getting ready to clean and re-fill the hummingbird feeders. Michael lobbed a Hershey Kiss down his throat and said, “Go have fun talking to your birds.” Tee-hee. Knowing the hummingbirds were wired out there, I invited him to sit on the deck with me for just five or ten minutes. He agreed, but wondered where they were.

“They know me, but they don’t know you. Stop drumming your fingers on the rail and sit still. Put your hands on your lap and don’t move.”

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In less than a minute, the hummers went wild. Fifteen or twenty of them fought over the three feeders that surrounded us. We felt their wing draft raise the hair on our heads and arms.

He stifled laughter when I, in my quiet baby voice, addressed an adult male that landed a few feet away – “Hello Mr. Hummy, you look so handsome this evening…” ;-)

He asked questions about the hummingbirds but his last remark was, “They better not poop on me.”

My reply: “Oh, their poop is just one tiny, sugary, raindrop of joy.”

That’s when the party ended and he realized I am undoubtedly, certifiably nuts. LOL!

31 comments:

Carol Michel said...

Mary, that last comment about the hummingbird poo is a classic! I love it. And guess what, even though I haven't been tending my hummingbird feeder like I should, I still am getting several hummers coming around in the evening for the flowers. They are wonderful to watch, but I never seem to have my camera at the ready...

Carol, May Dreams Gardens

KGMom said...

Giggle--Mary, I don't think you will be able to convert Michael into being a patient birdwatcher! I do have to laugh at his concern about bird poop.

possumlady said...

Hah! You are too much. And those photos have finally made my mind up. Possumlady is getting your Kodak Easyshare!

Mary said...

Christine,

Mine is a Kodak Easyshare Z612. Great camera if you don't overuse it like I did. The newer Kodak,
Z712 doesn't have good reviews. Do you research before buying.

Mary

Kathi said...

Mary without a camera is not a pretty picture. Hope your new one arrives soon and behaves itself for you.

I have had lots of hummingbirds at my feeders over the years, and I don't think I ever remember being pooped on, so tell Michael he is safe. (I love that "stop drumming your fingers and sit still" line.) You DH sounds a lot like a kid, LOL!

Mary, what is that yellow flower, the one with the honeybee? It looks an awful lot like a wild yellow flower I am trying to identify. Even if it isn't the same thing, maybe I can narrow it down if I know the name of yours.

Wishing you soaking rains and gentle winds,

~Kathi

NCmountainwoman said...

For heaven's sake, Mary, please do NOT take your husband to the pond with the Heron. If he's worried about hummer poop, he would never forgive you if a heron dropped its load on him.

Anonymous said...

I do hope the new Kodak will work well for you, Mary. You know how to coax such amazing photos out of the little point-and-shoot. As for humming birds' little raindrops of joy, I did wonder if bird poop were a problem in your bird-filled garden.

Mary said...

Kathi, it’s Coreopsis - perennial. New for me this year. Three small plants now but expect them to grow to 35” – nice hedge of flowers that bloom from summer through fall here and attracts bees. Also withstands drought and poor soil conditions, so I give it a thumbs up!

Anne, not a Kodak (wink)

Carol, that's because you usually have a hoe in each hand. LOL!

Kerri Farley said...

Oh I love the hummer poop comment! Fabulous! And these pictures are awesome!! But I'm sure you're going to enjoy your new camera too!

JeanMac said...

Poor Michael! Your post gave me a good laugh. And I love your gazing ball.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

You and that Kodak were amazing together. I'm sure no matter which camera you chose it will be great because you have the patience and the eye for fabulous photography.

I've seen hummingbirds eliminate and you're right, it is a tiny little stream of sugar water. Did anybody just feel a raindrop?

Debbie said...

Mary, I am on pins and needles waiting to see what you decided on for a camera! Gosh, I think I need to get a life.

I am so looking forward to more of your wonderful photos.

Love all the hummer photos and the cute Michael tale.

beckie said...

That's always the way-great pic opportunity and no camera. At least that's what happens to me. I carry mine 95% of the time, but you let me leave it inside or at hme and... I hope you do get some of that rain but NO storms. We are kind of dry here, although not like you. I loved the picture of the gazing ball. Looks like a work of art. Have fun getting to know your new friend! Oh, and say hello to Mr. Hummer from me.

Jayne said...

"a tiny sugary raindrop of joy!"

Oh, I LOVE that Mary!!!!! Only you could come up with a term like that. Priceless, just priceless. Can't wait to see what your new camera does. Have a great day!

Rose said...

My kids think I'm a little loony, too, Mary:) Ah, but grandchildren...they think Grandma's flowers and stories are pretty cool.
Your comment about the hummingbird poo is priceless--this should go into one of those garden quote websites!

Treehugger said...

It IS great news for the majority of North Carolina (if not so much for those of us in the SE part of the state), due to the fact that so many counties are STILL in severe drought status! (I know, it's amazing to me too...our place is "water-logged" from all the recent rainfall!

Greetings from a fellow North Carolian (transplant from sunny Florida...and transplanted THERE from the Great Pacific Northwest)...

I came to visit your site via another site, that I can't recall the name of right now...

You certainly do have some incredibly lovely photos! thanx for sharing!

Blessings to you and yours...

Angie said...

What you ARE is just DELIGHTFUL!!! *grins* Men really are from Mars, you know!! I talk to those little babies too, and if that makes us 'insane', I'll take it, thank you very much! ROFL

I have the Z812...so I can hardly wait for your 712 to come, you get all acquainted with it, then you can coach ME!!! LOL I have a serious love/hate relationship with this thing, let me tell you! :/

BTW, I'm so happy for you re Michael Phelps(?)!!! GO USA!

Susie said...

Loved seeing your pictures Mary. We never get that many hummingbirds at one time, but we get lots of their "sugary poop" under the feeder.
You must miss your camera so much!

Anonymous said...

Mary, I came across this post about some imaginative photography of birds and I thought you might enjoy seeing this fellow's work.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2008/08/art-on-wing-bradford-fullers-fly-in.html

Anonymous said...

Please, please, please let Fay dump a load of rain over my house! I've been watching the NOAA page for days now in anticipation of finally getting some real rain this summer.

Coreopsis is awesome in this dry heat! In addition to various store-bought cultivars, I let the native tickseed grow in my yard/garden. Just starting to bloom, and most of 'em are a good 4 feet tall. Nice!

And I can tell it's the end of summer because we're all dodging hummingbirds again!

Anonymous said...

You are tooo funny! I am SO excited to see what your new camera will be!! Half the fun of my (our) z612 is trying to convince people that I don't have a DSLR after they see my photos- when I tell them I have a KODAK they laugh and ask what camera I REALLY have! :-) Like Angie, I recently bought a z812 because, like you, I am slowly wearing out my beloved z612... and as I said in a previous comment, it's a tough act to follow! The z612 is a jewel! But we all know that it's the photographer who makes the picture and you will be wowing us again with your fabulous eye!! Can't wait!! hugs, gretchen

Susan Gets Native said...

Jeez, Mary. You almost HAD him! He was interacting with YOUR BIRDS! Then you had to get all Bird-Loony on him.

Jeez.
: )

Susan Gets Native said...

By the way, I have been blessed by a hummingbird pooping on me, and yes, it's a tiny, sugary raindrop of joy.

Q said...

Dear Mary,
I am so glad Michael was able to enjoy a few Hummingbird minutes....
You had a Hummingbird party. Wow!
All your pictures are so crisp...mating Dragonflies are wonderful.
Looking forward to your pics with your new camera. You will bond I am sure of it.
Sherry

BJ said...

Mary - I love your sense of humor. "A tiny, sugary raindrop of joy". How in the heck can you come up with these things? Too funny! I'm not sure Michael will be coming back to see those hummers!

Your pictures are fabulous! No matter what camera you get, it will perform because you are behind the lens. You take wonderful pictures! Loved every one of them.

I have family in the Keys....not sure if they will evacuate. They usually don't unless its a category 3. Isn't that crazy? They choose to ride it our. Hoping that all you get is rain....and not too much!

I can see you are doing well otherwise.....your witt is certainly intact! And I love it!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

You've done so well with this camera, I can't wait to see how you'll do with your new one!

SaraG said...

Love your site and your pictures are amazing. I have always had Kodak digital cameras. Bought Kodak cameras for all five of our kids and even one for our oldest granddaughter. I have the Z612 and the Z712...Both amazing cameras. My hubby bought me a Nikon D60 DSLR for my birthday. I love it, but also still love my kodak's. I am going to take my Z612 with me to LV this week and give it to my oldest son. I think he will enjoy the zoom on it more.
Take care and I look forward to seeing more of your posts!!

RuthieJ said...

Your comments about Michael are so funny......sounds just like an SOB (spouse of birder) at my house! ;-)
I hope Fay gives you a guys a good drenching later this week.

Cheryl said...

Hi Mary.....beautiful photographs as always.....I love lavender and have it planted all around the garden....I never tire of it and if I am stressed I just run my hands through the leaves and soak up the fragrance.

The hummers are so beautiful....I would love to sit on your deck and be totally mad with you......

Hope your new camera serves you well.......

Wendy said...

Well Mary, I guess then I'm nuts too. I told my hubby something similar about hummingbird poop. It's nothing really......
Loved your pics. Especially the hummer.

Mary C said...

Mary, every single one of your pix are so crisp. Your Z612 definitely served you well. I sure hope you can get it repaired, and if so, hopefully it will perform as beautifully as these pictures show. Wow! I loved your story about Michael. Sure sounds like a man!