I’m not a fan of holly trees (other than their colorful berries) but this one served as a nice support for our hummingbirds over the past 6 years, and as a great spot for them to nest, regardless of their prickly leaves. Although the tree is in my neighbor’s backyard, I can reach it with my longest lens and get a nice portrait, as long as the bird cooperates.
But to my surprise, when I went to refresh my feeder the other day – the tree was gone – as if it had disappeared into thin air – and the bird, who dive-bombs me every time I fill the feeder was nowhere in sight.
As I found out later, my neighbor had the holly removed while we were out of town, without knowing its value from the hummer’s standpoint, and apparently not aware of it’s impact on my photography.
But the good news is, the hummer returned, I’m attempting to grow a new holly (in a pot that’s closer to my house), and I’m now getting to know the neighbor better – and he’s welcomed me to photograph his flowers.
The hummingbird is gorgeous! The colors in this photo just pop. I’m used to seeing hummingbirds fluttering their wings in action.
Thank you, Sandy! That tree was truly the perfect setting for her, but hopefully we’ll soon have another to take its place.
I’m glad you’re getting to know your neighbor better. They can be very helpful when needed. 🤟🏽
Ha ha, yes! We’ve been blessed with some of THE BEST neighbors ever, and they’ve been extremely helpful to us over the years. Of course, we’ve reciprocated and consider them family, like you! 🤗
Hummingbirds are one of my favorite birds. They’re so pretty. We always had hummingbirds at our home in Mandan. ND. My mom grew many flowers and berry trees in our yard. The hummingbirds loved them.
My grandmother, Anna Mund had tons of flowers and berry bushes in her yard too. She lived in a very small one bedroom house in Kulm, ND. The house was so small that there was an outhouse in the backyard. I don’t even think my grandmother had running water. She had a toilet in her bedroom closet with a pail underneath the toilet. I think there was a pump in the kitchen by the sink. There was a basement in the backyard if we lifted up the two wooden doors we’d play on in the backyard. There were raspberry bushes and flowers covering the whole backyard. Then a long pathway to the outhouse. My grandma passed away when she was 79. She was very strict in her ways, very kind, made great dumplings that as kids we called “toilet paper” and great strudels (custard pie). She had a beautiful tree filled with
small pink flowers. My mother loved that tree so much that she took a branch home and planted it in our backyard. It too was beautiful just like my grandmother. I have great family memories as a child. 🥰
That’s certainly the way to attract hummingbirds, rather than with a feeder, and therefore, my sadness at seeing the holly taken out. But thank you for sharing some of your family history; you truly have some wonderful memories. And I hope you’ve continued the tradition of filling your yard with plants and flowers, sans the outhouse! It’s amazing how many comforts we enjoy today while our ancestors survived and thrived on very little while still enjoying the joys of nature. Ingenuity reins!
Excellent composition.
Thank you, William!