Rest Stop at the Arrol-Metz House

One of my favorite things in the garden is getting to watch the hummingbirds. I enjoy watching them travel from flower to flower, trying a little nectar here, and then a little nectar there.  I love it when the sunlight reflects off their throat patch, giving it that ruby glow. I am impressed by their moxie.  They don't seem afraid of creatures much larger than they are.  I love their chirrupy call and the sound their wings make. I've been watching them for years, so I thought I'd seen pretty much everything ...

Until a few mornings ago, I went to my window and saw a hummingbird going from grape leaf to grape leaf. I was really puzzled as I knew there were not any flowers on the vine, and only two clusters of grapes on that vine.  As I got closer I saw he was rubbing himself on the leaf, then ducking his head and throwing back his shoulders, all while his little wings were just whirring away. He did this on several leaves, before it finally dawned on me what was going on.  The sprinklers had just finished running and the grape leaves were sheeted with water.  The hummer was cleaning himself in the water on the leaves, and seemed to be having a grand time.

He also seems to think that the tomato cages have been put out for his convenience to perch on and rest in between checking out gladiola blossoms. Hey, I am always happy to be of service.

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