Greensboro Birds

You can't see them, but there are a couple of feet on this bird

Spending time on the Adirondack bench this a.m., right after Hanna’s rain ended, watching ruby-throated hummingbirds at the feeder while nursing a two-day weather headache. (Is it just me or do lots of people get queasy migraines when the barometric pressure drops?) Tito’s flopped next to me having a head-pat, being a good little man for a minute. When the ruby-throat pictured above drops in, I recall a story from a couple evenings ago. The kids from up the hill were on the bench watching hummingbirds. One of them says, “Hey, that bird has feet!” I look at him and say of course it has feet, otherwise it would never be able to stop flying. “My teacher says hummingbirds don’t have feet,” he clarifies. “Well, looks like your teacher was wrong,” I say.

This no-feet-having myth about hummingbirds is more common than you’d think. But here’s the thing: If I were a teacher (and I was, many years ago) and someone told me that hummingbirds didn’t have feet, I would think that was a pretty extraordinary claim. So extraordinary, in fact, that I’d look for info to either back up or disprove such a statement. I mean, a teacher should have greater curiosity—and skepticism—than your average person, don’t you think? But instead, this woman is spreading a bizarre myth to 30-some kids every year. For the love of Pete, we’re doomed.

Happy and Tito love wrestling in tall, wet grass

Whatever. For now, I’m on my bench in my lush, wet garden. Tito gives up the good-little-man act and jumps down to wrestle with Happy in the grass. I just mowed on Monday, and I let it get pretty long between cuts, but with the cool, dewy nights and today’s tropical storm, it’s already time for another go at it. Mowing is one of my great joys, much to Josh’s great joy. It’s like giving the earth a haircut.

A pair of common buckeyes land in a sort of mirror image

Just before I get up for one last turn about the garden, a pair of common buckeyes land in a kind of mirror image on the willow. Lucky shot! Although this is the beginning of fall migration, I find myself a little more enthralled by the hundreds of butterflies in the garden right now. They’re putting on a big show.

Have I ever posted a no-tongue Happy pic? Doubtful

Tito gets distracted by a grasshopper and leaves Happy to go snuffling after it. Happy flops down in the best grass of the whole yard and takes a few minutes for herself. The sun is just starting to come out, and it seems like a good time to whip up some eggs and refried beans. This afternoon is made for planting shrubs. Once my Hanna headache lifts, you’ll find me in the garden—again.