(However, I did manage to get some exercise, by dashing into the kitchen to get snacks and Gatorade, the down side is that it wasn't enough exercise to burn off all the calories I was taking in and I managed to gain a couple of inches in the wrong places!)
Fortunately these last few days have been fairly pleasant in the mid 70's, so I've finally gotten off my couch and have ventured out into the yard to check out the late summer wildflower blooms, and see which birds were still here before migrating back to their winter homes to the south of me.
There are several that I know have pretty much left already, the Barn Swallows have not swooped down on me in the barn for at least a week, and even when I am mowing they aren't sailing past me trying to catch all the tasty bugs the mower kicks up. I'll miss them, but they had a record number of nests on my barn, so I'm hoping to see even more next Spring.
I've only seen and heard a couple of Robins lately, so I'm assuming they've also headed for a nicer climate. Although with all the rain we've had lately they are missing out on some good worm
eating. :-)
I had thought by now the Hummingbirds would have begun their trek south, but to my delight I saw one feeding on some wildflowers next to the barn. It was a female, and after a few minutes she flew off and I didn't see her again. Makes me quite happy that I didn't cut down the wildflowers(weeds some would say).
In fact, I did something this summer that I haven't done in a long time, I stopped feeding the birds...including the Hummingbirds. I was extremely hesitant because I was worried they would not be able to "exist" without my handouts, but financial cutbacks made it a necessity.
To my relief, my previous years of being mindful of how I treated my wild landscape has paid off, and the birds and insects have been plentiful and seemingly content. Which of course makes me very happy. :-)
I had a thought as I was enjoying the dozens of newly blooming Fall foliage, of how I have impacted my little piece of earth over the years, and I must confess I felt a twinge of pride when I saw how much meaningful life it sustains. The birds, bees, butterflies, dragonflies seem to be in their own little paradise, which makes it mine too.
My one regret is that I am having issues with finding a new camera that works for me to get decent pictures to post(my trusty old Kodak is a goner). If I could afford the processing I would gladly go back to my 35mm Canon. These newer DSLs have too many unwanted functions for me, and they seem to think they can focus on whatever they decide on, not what I want...grumble grumble.
Nonetheless, here is the little female Hummingbird that will soon be off to warmer places..
