Anna’s Hummingbirds in Topanga Canyon Garden, photo by Kathy Vilim
Yesterday I was enjoying the peace of my garden space, watching as hummingbirds fought over the feeder, buzzing past my ears, so loud and so quick. I got out my camera and took pictures of my hummingbird friends. They are the best part of my Topanga garden and have given me so many happy moments. But now, I am getting the house ready for travelling. I am starting my trip around the State of California, and I am excited at the prospect of seeing new places with different plants and trees, waking up to different bird sounds in the morning, and different smells in the air.
On my journey, there will be infinite possibilities for new stories to write and tales to tell. But it is bittersweet: for all I will be gaining, I will be missing my garden. I won’t be watering my plants or digging in the earth. I feel like taking my digger along with me.. I remind myself: it’s only temporary. After my travels, I will be gardening again. But it’s been so long since I have been without a garden for any length of time..
I hope that my Anna’s Hummingbirds will get along without me. But, of course, they will.. They belong here. These particular birds, the regulars, may have gotten spoiled by my feeder, but they will adjust. They will frequent the native blossoms, like Nicotiana with its yellow tubular flowers, more often, and that will be good for the plants.
As long as I am outdoors, out in Nature, I will have a garden. It will be Nature’s garden, crafted by her hand and not mine. I will visit wild and untouched lands, camping in the forests and under the stars. I will visit botanical gardens in different cities that will give me gardens to walk through and teach me what natives are found locally. And, I plan to visit organic farms and farmers markets, partaking of the local fare. And maybe even getting my hands dirty helping out.
But the first stop will be Autumn leaves. I’m going up to 7,000 feet in the Sierras to walk through forests of poplars & aspens in the height of their glory. I look forward to sharing them with you as my California Travels get underway.
Have you seen any migrating hummingbirds recently? Keep a feeder ready just in case~
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About Kathy Vilim
Enjoy your trip Kathy, and yes, the hummers will be just fine there without you
Returning home will be sweet – when you catch up with everything that happened during your absence, and share tales of faraway gardens that will weave themselves into your own garden somehow..
Ellen Sousa recently posted..Vegetable Gardening the Natural Way
I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time in your native garden, and it is indeed a delightful and special place, to sit, to watch the birds, to read, or to just be. This garden will always remember you, as you travel and visit new ones. Now your adventures begin~well, the ones outside of Topanga
,and I look forward to what you’ll find. Then you can write about it and tell us…
Thank you, Ellen. I look forward to weaving faraway gardens into my own~
Kathy Vilim recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
Thanks, Tambra, I look forward to sharing tales of what I find out there. The Golden State of California has so many beautiful spots, I should be able to find peace in Nature’s wild gardens and make new hummingbird friends too.
Kathy Vilim recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
I understand your melancholy and joy about leaving and beginning…not just a home, but birthing a new YOU! Look forward to following your adventures. You are a courageous trooper!
Judith, The Iconic Renaissance Woman
Dear Kathy, what a wonderful adventure! I look forward to seeing the state of California through your eyes. Nature’s garden is the perfect one! I have seen many hummingbirds in my garden this summer. Such a delight. Good travels sweetie!
Susan e Hemann recently posted..Quiet Reflection Sunday
Thanks so much, Susan. Look forward to some gorgeous Autumn scenery at elevations in the Sierras, first stop on the trip
kathy recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
Kathy how exciting…I love CA and hope to visit more of it when I retire next Aug. I look forward to your posts and hope to find wonderful places to visit.
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..Gardens Eye Journal-October 2012
have a super trip Kathy! I was away for 4 days and was panicked missing my dogs and my bugs. Not sure I would survive 5 days, let alone a longer trip.
my hummingbirds have no fancy feeders and they do just fine with the red flowers I provide for them. I’m sure your little beauty there will be ok too. Nice photo, btw. Haven’t seen one of the “Anna’s” before.
Just think about the opportunity to see how your garden has grown without you there to guide it. Mother Nature will be in charge and I’m sure there will be exciting articles telling us what went wrong, what went right, etc.
also looking forward to the autumn leaves article. this northeastern native so misses the dropping of the leaves (but not the raking!), so it will be nice to live vicariously through your adventure.
Loret recently posted..New Life List Dragonfly