Ohhhhhhh today began so perfectly! Coffee on the patio ... sunny and warm ... no breeze to speak of and all of a sudden a busy whirring sound .... huh? .....

I looked up just in time to see the humming bird that was right beside that tall frond of my Pink Ribbon Grass!! Long gone by the time this pic was taken. He hovered for only a few seconds ... it seemed he was trying to figure out if it was something worthwhile to investigate. Then...off he flew! We don't see too many here , but usually a few times a summer I do spot one. I plant some special types of flowers that they say attract them... maybe it works. Of course, that would not be the ribbon grass.

Checked the bird book and he was definitely a Rufous. I just love little hummers!





Anybody know what this is?






Well, it is what happens after this....

Look how pale they are near the end of the full blooming stage... and then.... the wind blows off all the pretty petals and the centre is the only thing remaining.

These are what I plant to attract butterflies and also the occasional hummingbird that flies to our part of the world. Penstemones... or ..I am trying to remember the other name..I think it is "goat's beard"..will look it up later.......

okay... it is beardtongue.. I was close...sort of.... lol
In my book on perennials it says "each flower appears to be sticking out its tongue . This is a stamen and may be hairy or bearded..hence the name." Said to attract hummingbirds.

Some of the Iris are still blooming...
















... and these two said they wanted to stand beside a silly old cactus....they are almost finished... ears are pinned on..and of course... somebody is still missing legs!