Hug of a Garden Blogger
It was pouring rain... I was driving yesterday to meet some garden bloggers at the Dragonfly Farms nursery. It was the last day of the Seattle Garden Bloggers Fling - 2011, and it was my only chance to see people whom I met virtually but whom I felt I had known for a long time. It was pouring rain... Then, the traffic almost came to a full stop. Roadwork ahead. One lane. Slow... Very slow... I could see the red tail lights all the way ahead. I won't make it I thought. I got off the highway and prepared to drive back home. Fortunately, there were a lot of cars I needed to wait for, and I stood there for a couple of minutes. When the way cleared, instead of turning left and driving home, I went straight and merged again into the slow traffic. I couldn't miss the chance to see my fellow bloggers. When else will they come to Seattle? It could be my only chance to put together faces and blogs' names! Well, I made it safely to the nursery and believe me, I was so glad I did! Hugs, hugs, hugs! Dear Gail, Frances, Barbara, Victoria, Michelle, Helen, Kylee, Pam, Dee, Melanthia, Loree, Ann, Alison, Layanee, Diana... did I miss anyone?...
I met the majority of these wonderful bloggers on Blotanical. That is why I want again to thank Stuart for creating and maintaining this unique site. Some of us, after several years of being active blotanists, slowed down but I still believe that Blotanical is a great place to meet gardening soulmates. I tell you, it's a very special thing - a real hug of a virtual gardening friend...
I was so childishly happy to be there... Almost the same as I feel watching hummingbirds in my garden.
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Red Bergamot (Monarda, Bee Balm) is supposed to attract bees, isn't it?
Not in my garden this summer! The bees and bumblebees all attack escallonia and foxgloves. Bergamot belongs exclusively to a hummingbird.
A princess arrives for breakfast and later for lunch every day.
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I usually stay there for a couple of minutes, then go to the house to pick up the camera, come back, and it's still shuttling from one flower to another. I hear the sound of its tiny wings. She dissappears as fast as she appears.
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One time, there were two of them, but after a short fight one flew away.
Pretty turquose glimmer on its back, but look at these claws!
I like the next picture. The bird's face is seen through the vail of its wings:
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Come again!
***Copyright 2011 TatyanaS
Wonderful, wonderful
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got a chance to meet the blogging group! Traffic can make you crazy!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful photos of the hummingbird(s). I like the one with its wing in front of its face.
That is too cool. I love hummingbirds!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures, they are a delight. Envious of the Bergamot as it does'nt like the heavy soil in my garden.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazingly beautiful captures of the hummingbird! I also like the one where you see the bird's face through its wings.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful to meet you too. I'm so glad you didn't turn around to go back home when you hit traffic.
Hello there!
ReplyDeleteO.MY.GOD.!!!!! I love the bird pics.
that is the kind of pictures i want to learn to take, of birds.. can I ask you to tell me which lens, camera and settings you use for them and do you use tripod?
& Thank you for sharing such pretty moments from your life.
Loved them all.
Cheers
-Tara
It just so happened that I have become a member of Blotanical myself two days ago! I would love to meet other bloggers in person as you did, maybe in the future I will go to one of those meetings, too. Tatyana, your hummingbird photos are so stunning! They really brought joy to my heart!
ReplyDeleteChristina
I too feel giddy when a hummingbird drops in. Your photos are beautiful and it was so nice of the hummingbird to stay for awhile. Great too you got to meet so many bloggers. I hope the Fling comes back east next year. Like you, I would not have missed the chance either. So many great people.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Tatyana, these are stunning photos! I'm amazed at your ability to capture so many fabulous shots. And good girl for sticking with the traffic jam to make it to where the rest of the garden bloggers were hanging out. I bet you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteWow T ~ those are some incredible photos! Thank you for sharing! Glad you go to go and meet the other bloggers, I'm enjoying all the blog posts about the weekend :) BTW..your post about your trip to German and all of the geraniums really inspired me. I had not had luck with them in the past but found a better location for them and have been enjoying my first geraniums in some years. I hope to try and winter them over as well! Cheers, Jenni
ReplyDeleteTatyana: Those are amazing captures! I don't get a whole lot of Hummingbirds here, but when they visit it's a high point of the day! Simply beautiful photos--I wonder if you could sell them?
ReplyDeleteWhat absolutely fantastic photos! I could watch the hummers all day. I was watching tonight as one darted from flower to flower all over the garden - they are amazing creatures.
ReplyDeleteThat picture of the face through his wing is so amazing! Glad you got to drive on and meet everyone.
ReplyDeleteYour hummingbird photos are wonderful, Tatyana. I, too, have met a wonderful community of virtual friends (some of whom have become in-person friends) through Blotanical. -Jean
ReplyDeleteWhat incredible photos!! I've never captured a photo of a hummer, even though I have several in my garden every day. In addition to needing a better camera, I need your crazy good skillz!! :o)
ReplyDeleteMagnificent photographs of the humming bird. That sounds exciting, I had not known about gardening bloggers meeting mainly because I just started blogging, but maybe someday I can go to one of those Bloggers Fling. Enjoy your blogs, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWonderful hummer photos. I'll have to look for them on my bee balm. They're loving my penstemons.
ReplyDeleteWOW, Tatyana!!!
ReplyDeleteUtterly amazing photographs - would you care to tell us what lens and post-processing programs you were using? You are clearly at pro level, for luck does not give one so many good pics :)
Ah yes, bloggers gatherings: if only I had only to cope with traffic jams to join them... :)
I bet you are happy that you got to meet these fantastic blogging gardeners! What incredible hummer photos!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed all of you got together. Are all you girls driving distance from your meet?
ReplyDeleteHummer shots are a knockout.
We only have 3 or 4 that fancy our yard and it is amazing to watch them. I was so sad in the spring waiting and waiting for them. And now I'm in heaven.
Absolutely stunning hummingbird photos Tatyana - how I wish we had hummers over here!
ReplyDeleteGlad you did meet up with the other bloggers - I've been reading fb posts about it and it sounds like such fun.
I've got a few local bloggers coming over to my house next week - not quite a fling, but it'll be fun!
beautiful nature and life in it ..
ReplyDeletebeautiful garden and great photos
thanks for the follow-up
Thank you SO much for your comments! I'll go to your blogs and answer your questions.
ReplyDeleteTatyana, so sorry I did not get to meet you at Fling. Next year? Hope to spend some time with you. Love the blog. Especially the gorgeous hummingbird!
ReplyDeleteHi Tatyana, I didn't make it to the fling as I am pretty new to blogging...next year if there is the opportunity. Sounds so fun!
ReplyDeleteI MUST tell you the photos of the hummingbird are the most amazing I've ever seen. I took a trip to Costa Rica last winter and got what I thought were some great photos of hummingbirds but yours put them to shame. Amazing together with the monarda and daisies. Thanks for sharing such beauty.
So glad you made it to Dragonfly! It was wonderful to meet you, wish you could have been around for more of the weekend we had lots of fun!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful to meet you in person! Could it have been more perfect then that marvelous nursery! I do wish you had been there for the whole weekend~But, I am SO glad I got to give you a big hug. xxoogail PS The hummers in your garden are fantastic!
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