Design

We saw a female ruby-throated hummingbird visiting cypress vine flowers yesterday in the Children's Garden.  She was a late straggler, to be sure.  October 18th is the last date we're seen hummingbirds in the Upstate of South Carolina, a couple of years ago. And there were monarchs flitting by, as well.

A late fall view from my study Goodness, I saw two ruby-throated hummingbirds yesterday, and two again this afternoon, much to my surprise. I topped off the feeders with more sugar water to help them on their way. They were visiting the Mexican bush sage ( Salvia leucantha ) and the Mexican hyssop ( Agastache mexicana ) when I saw them, but we still have flowers of Salvia guaranitica , Salvia coccinea , and Buddleia . Bill Hilton, of Hilton Pond , reported their record last sighting of a ruby-throated hummingbird as Oct. 18 (at least as of last year). Last year, we saw our last on Oct. 12 (thanks to the discipline of blog-posting, I have a record of this). There were a few monarchs still coming through. And, there was lovely fall light to enjoy.