Hummingbirds

Today was a great day for hummingbird photography! They are preparing to fly south for the winter and are very possessive of their feeders! I saw three hummingbirds today, but two of them had staked a claim. One in the front and one in the back.

I walked out on the patio today when I let the dog out and noticed that this hummingbird didn't budge from the branch. Of course I immediately went inside to get the camera! I wanted to see how close I could get before it flew away. I got probably within three feet! It was drizzling rain, but I didn't care!I stood in the rain taking pictures!

This juvenile male staked claim to the feeder by the front porch. Since it was raining I sat on the front porch in my rocker to photograph this one. He had much prettier coloring anyway and the Japanese maple made a beautiful backdrop. Notice his beak?

It's twisted! It doesn't seem to hinder his eating. Once today while he was eating, another hummingbird flew right into him and knocked him to the ground! That was a sight to witness from just a few feet away! I never tire of watching these guys. It makes me sad to think that my time with them is almost over for the year. Each morning I watch for them wondering if the day before was the last. I count it a little blessing when I have just one more day to enjoy their antics.

My husband walked by the sliding glass doors Friday and said, "There is a big bug out there that you might want to see." He knows me well, doesn't he? I immediately walked over and saw this dragonfly lying on its back. I wasn't sure if it was dead or alive, but I assumed it must have hit the glass doors. I slid the door open and stepped back to take the picture. About the time I got the first shot my daughter's, indoor only, cat spotted the bug and the open door and started to bolt. Startled, I screamed! Between my screaming and the cat lunging, we scared the dragonfly. Thankfully it was able to right itself and zip away and thankfully I caught the cat before she escaped!

Last Days of Summer

The nip of autumn is in the air and a visit to a local apple orchard has already been made.

The flowers are few and far between with the limited amounts of summer rain.

I'm still seeing a few bees...

and damsel flies...

and everyday I watch for the hummingbirds at the feeders knowing any day now could be their last visit for the year.

The butterflies have been scarce this summer. Only recently have I spotted a few. Usually I see black swallowtail caterpillars on the parsley and fennel but not this year. I guess there can be no caterpillars if there aren't any butterflies. I think this is the first year that I haven't had them.

I was thrilled to see the Buckeye butterfly a few days ago and chased it around the yard with my camera for quite some time.

I am enjoying the cooler last few days of summer and looking forward to the lovely autumn season...

even if it means that I won't be seeing these little guys for a long time.

I hope you are enjoying the last few days of summer too!

Hummingbird Preening

As I was reading outside on my patio swing I just happened to catch this hummingbird preening. As much as I've watched them over the years, I don't think I have even seen one fan its tail feathers quite like this.

I apologize again for my absence. It has been a busy and sad spring/summer. We have just kind of been in survival mode for the last few months. I haven't wanted to blog about such personal things, maybe one of these days I will, but not until I can make sense of it and we are on the other side of it.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience with my very sporadic posts.

Mid-July at Robin's Nesting Place

I was so thankful yesterday for a break in the heat and humidity and I spent some time in the garden doing some much needed weeding. I also spent some time just sitting in the swing, relaxing and enjoying the breeze. Of course I also had my camera handy and took a few pictures while I was outside.

I have quite a bit of Queen Anne's Lace this year since I haven't been mulching. I'm not particularly fond of it since it tends to spread everywhere, yet I am hesitant to remove anything that attracts the pollinators to the garden. I have one with a little pink rosette right in the center of it. I think I'll use them for cut flowers and try to prevent them from going to seed this year.

The bee balm is doing its job of attracting all kinds of pollinators.



I was thrilled to see another hummingbird moth this year. I spent more time than I should have following it around the yard trying to get pictures of it.

They are so fast and so small that it is nearly impossible for me to get really good pictures of them. I had my little Sony DSC-H50 outside with me. It is a great point and shoot camera and I thought it did a pretty good job, considering the subject.

Its favorite flowers were the liatris and the bee balm. Usually they like lantana too but I didn't plant any this year.

The hibiscus is in bloom. I love the pink blush on this enormous white flower.

The chickadee waiting its turn for the bird feeder.

The goldfinch in no hurry at all. Both very brave to venture so close to the patio while I'm sitting on the swing.

This little piggy has been entertaining the cats for days now, driving them crazy as he runs back and forth across the patio to get to the sunflower seeds.

He stuffs his little cheeks so full of seeds until they are literally sticking out of his mouth. I've enjoyed watching him, but I sure hope he doesn't decide to start a family here.

When I saw this partially opened sunflower I couldn't help but think about this verse, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:2-4" and the "Speak no evil" phrase.

As you enjoy your summer, please be kind to your skin and yourself. My brother just got word that his melanoma cancer is back and it is now in his lymph nodes. Both he and my mother have had melanoma. Please pray for him as he fights this third cancer diagnosis in a year.

Horton's French Flea Market

This weekend is the third annual French Flea Market at Horton's in Tipton, Indiana. I missed it the two previous years and made it a point not to miss it again this year.

Horton's is a unique place for a French Flea Market because as they state on their blog,"Like something out of the past, our store is a regular emporium of delights! We have hardware, a paint dept., and a garden center which includes flowers and veggies in season."

"Our ever changing merchandise is also spattered with lots of flea-market finds and one-of-a-kind treasures you can't find anywhere else."

The French Flea Market is obviously doing well because my friend and I got there around 2:00 and we heard from several vendors that they had sold a lot of their things already and were going to have a busy night trying to get their spaces filled back up and ready for the big day tomorrow.

As a nature and garden lover, I am enjoying the home decorating styles right now, especially the interest in botanical and bird prints.

I also like that old things are being recycled and used rather than being discarded in landfills. I'm not sure why, but there is something very comforting to me about being surrounded by old things from the past. I am even liking the chippy paint on old doors, windows and ladders!

I met Nicki, from The Vintage Farmhouse. I discovered her blog several days ago from Horton's blog post regarding the French Flea Market vendors. I was looking forward to meeting her. Thank you, Nicki, for not crossing your eyes and sticking your tongue out at me when I took your picture! ;-)

After seeing these lovely bouquets, the 'Limelight' hydrangea is definitely going on my wishlist. What a magnificent flower to add to bouquets! I love that color of green!

It was interesting seeing the creative uses for vintage doors at the French Flea Market! Horton's and these vendors have that mastered!

There was so much to see that it was overwhelming trying to take it all in.I can't imagine what it was like this morning before so much of it was sold. It would definitely have been sensory overload for me!

This particular booth was my favorite! It was decorated so cute with a paint theme. I really wish I could have seen it before most of their things were gone. She also has a blog that I just discovered called D. Reyne's Everyday Elegance. She is incredibly creative and her "Tinker House" is adorable! I can't wait to have some time to see more of it!

If you live nearby you should definitely make the trip to Horton's of Tipton for the French Flea Market!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!