Rescue Her

 photo atu3200_zps341c3a53.jpg
Every so often a hummingbird ends up in the garage and can't find its way out.  It keeps trying to fly upwards, and bangs its little head against the ceiling, over and over again.  In their normal environment, they are brilliant little warriors.  Out of their normal environment, you find out they are idiots.  You know, bird-brains. 
Up against the drywall ceiling:
 photo atu3201_zps986a467b.jpg
I got my old Koi net out, the one that is now too ridiculously small for any of my Koi, and gently guided the little bird towards the wide open doors she could not seem to find.  She was so tired she ended up perching inside the net, and I walked her out.  I dearly wanted to take a photo of her up close, but her safety took priority, so sorry, no photo.  She perched in the net looking at me.  She was panting.   We looked silently at each other while she caught her breath and reoriented herself to her normal world, and then she flew off.   
She went thatta way:
 photo atu3202_zps159a3479.jpg
There's plenty of hummer food around the garden to aid her.
 photo atu3192_zps7c211881.jpg
Speaking of rescues, over the week end I visited a little old boarded-up bungalow near the county courthouse in search of a rose.  
 photo atu3130_zps19b4f98b.jpg
Quite a nice rose, actually, with a sweet fragrance.
 photo phoebe3127_zps797fa778.jpg
The general conclusion is that it is the climbing version of a rose called 'Snowbird' (introduced 1935).  Though 'Snowbird' is said to have 2-3" (5-7 cm) blooms, and these were more like 4" (10 cm). 
 photo atu3155_zps4d1d28a6.jpg
I took some cuttings and will try to get them to root.  Well worth rescue.  Speaking of old climbing roses, my 'Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria' (introduced 1897) has finally produced what can be called a good spring flush.  
 photo atu3208_zpsb6ef76e5.jpg
I got this rose back about 2007 from Vintage Roses;  it's taken a long time to establish.  Sadly, Vintage Roses will close down in June;  no rescue for a small rose nursery in a poor economy.  At least its carefully collected--and rescued--roses will live on in gardens all over the country. 
 photo atu3207_zps08cc4e1b.jpg We all hope to be rescued when we need it, and we rescue as best we are able those in need.  There's a beauty in that.  Many times has the garden rescued me--from anxiety, despair, loneliness. 
 photo atu3183_zpsa78a1907.jpg
Who rescued whom? 
 

Comments

  1. That little hummingbird, so glad she could fly away again. Your roses look so beautiful, Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria is a real beauty.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wish we had hummingbirds in the UK they are amazing. We do now have large flocks of green parakeets which brighten the place up and make it slightly more noisy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If parakeets, why not hummers? I think the hummers need warm or warm(ish) weather. We have feral green parrots here that screech like crazy. See www.californiaparrotproject.org

      Delete
  3. You rose rustler! I was sad about Vintage's news too but amazed at how long they hung on. BTW, I bet that bungalow has intact cabinetry and built-in's. It has that look of never having been renovated, with original wood front porch steps -- wow!
    Yes, the rescue is definitely mutual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ye, I was looking at the bungalow, not just the rose, wondering what the story was. The neighborhood was not half bad, considering.

      Delete
  4. "Who rescued whom? "

    Now, that's a good question. I've been rescued by my garden as well.

    We've lost three little birds recently from crashing into windows. I think I need to glue a stop sign or a wreath or a flag to the windows. Glad you were able to rescue your hummer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That has happened here a couple of times. I feel terrible for the little creatures. Most of my windows are so dirty they see the glass in time. I saw what might have been the same hummer this morning, slightly scruffy looking on the top of the head, but flying well and sipping nectar. All's well...

      Delete
  5. Repurposing the koi net was inspired! I'm glad you could save the maddening little creature.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. One of those very rare instances when you save something you can't really use anymore and it actually comes in handy for something else!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Always interested in your thoughts.

Any comments containing a link to a commercial site with the intent to promote that site will be deleted. Thank you for your understanding on this matter.