Hummingbirds in the Rain
Walking through a garden in the rain can prove to be an exciting adventure. Most wildlife do not let rain stop their daily activities. On a recent walk in my garden, I viewed a hummingbird busily servicing flowers on a cardinal climber vine. As I crouched to watch, it hovered right before my eye as if to scrutinize me! Bees also keep busy in the rain, getting nectar from flowers underneath leaves. Birds seem to get hungry and visit feeders in the rain.
After the Rain
A magical time can be just after a rain. As the sun comes out, plants are clean, alive and glistening with rain drops. This is a great time to bring the camera into the garden. Herbs' aromas are fresh and heady; flowers' colors are renewed and vibrant. Butterflies venture out and drink their nectar.
Bumblebees in Squash Blossoms Have you ever seen a bumblebee in a squash blossom? It climbs down to the bottom of the flower, leans on its side and spins slowly in a circle in order to gather all the pollen. Sometimes you have to get down on your hands and knees to see great sights. Different viewpoints yield different results. A magnifying glass will open up another layer of tiny life on leaves and flowers. Aphids are normally considered "bad", but watching a mother followed by several babies can be exciting and educational. A magnified view might also reveal additional pests that would otherwise go unchecked.
What can be taken away from successful gardening is not only the edible harvest, but the majestic beauty of other life forms. Though appreciation of all life, we can better understand our own place and role on earth.
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