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Home STUDIO Available giclee prints and photography A GERKIN IN THE GARDEN and more goodies in the store

Sandra Miller December 8, 2009 8 Comments

A GERKIN IN THE GARDEN and more goodies in the store

Do you all remember my “Snow Bird” from last year?  Well my Anna’s Hummingbird is still hanging around but this time with his wife and brood of 2 chicks from this year.  As the temps have been falling I need to really keep on top of making sure his feeder is not freezing solid and he has adequate shelter close to the feeder.

Another frigid morning (18 degrees) for my Annas Hummingbird

This little fella sits on a vinyl coated wire all day about 2 feet from the feeder or on the Japanese Maple a few feet from my front door.  He never ventures far from the house which I’m sure radiates a bit of heat and cuts the wind.

Hummingbirds have a unique way of keeping warm or conserving their energy – at night, or any time they cannot get enough food to fuel themselves – they go into torpor – a state in which their metabolic rate is only one-fifteenth that of normal sleep….very much like hibernation.

I can walk right up to him in the early morning without him moving a muscle.  I call these beautiful Anna’s humming birds my “tree pickles” or “gerkins” because they are shaped and colored just like one!

My frozen hummingbird feeder

Last night I forgot to bring the feeder in….The red popsicle needed thawing.  When I brought it  back out, 2 hummies buzzed me and landed on the feeder while I was still hanging it up.  I hope I can get Steve to get a photo of them doing that tomorrow!!!  I told my friend today I want to get them each a little match box complete with blankie and hot water bottle for Xmas to sleep in!!

As I write at 6:30 PM the temp is 24 and heading down to a  near record low for Portland this time of year. Brrrrrrr you would never know I was born and raised in Minnesota!  My friends are all laughing at me I’m sure…but keep in mind I only own unlined raincoats  not a single sweater.   I had to really dig to find those photography gloves I bought for Chengdu 2 years ago.   Geeze have I turned into a wimp

Picture 94

So what does one do on a cold week to keep warm???? Created fused glass and finish up some batiks!!

This yummy card and print was inspired by a dog we bred years ago…actually he is Megs litter brother Ike!!   Thank you Bonnie for letting me use his stately likeness to do this rich colored batik

KING OF THE JUNGLE chow art card card
KING OF THE JUNGLE chow art card by electra_cute
CLICK ABOVE TO FIND THE CARDS AT ZAZZLE
Picture 95
CLICK PHOTO ABOVE TO FIND GICLEE ART PRINTS
FRAMED OR UNFRAMED AT IMAGEKIND
CLICK PHOTO TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS “ADOPTED” HANDBAG!
AND ONE OF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO NAB THIS ONE OFF
THE WEBSITE BEFORE I GOT THIS BLOG POST DONE!!  MORE
PANDA AND CHOW HANDBAGS IN MY ONE OF A KIND BATIKS
ARE ON THE WAY THIS WEEK… AS WELL AS A GORGEOUS CHOW
BATIK BLOUSE!!
More items will be posted on the GRAFFITI JEWELRY website this week.
REMINDER THAT YOU CAN FIND ALL OF MY SITES WHERE I HAVE ITEMS
FOR PURCHASE ABOVE AT THE “SHOP GRAFFITI…click” link at the top of the blog

Filed Under: Available giclee prints and photography, Cover Feature, ZAZZLE PRODUCTS

Comments

  1. Connie ,Tai high says

    December 10, 2009 at 6:21 am

    A GERKIN IN THE GARDEN and more goodies in the store”

    I hope I am posting in the right place, what a delight Sandra! I saw the “A GERKIN IN THE GARDEN” and more goodies in the store”

    My sister and I used to laugh about my Mom calling a garment Gerkin so I clicked to see what awesome garment you had created this time.
    Wow, I was blessed with the wonderful hummingbird story and vivid photos, just beautiful.
    It warmed my heart and soul. I have always had a strong love of animals and sense of duty to feed birds. God will surely bless you for your love and care for these little creatures, and the big ones you
    do what a way to start a day!! I am listening to LIVE 88.3 , contemporary Christian music so it is a doulbe blessing to hear and see how great is our GOd. Have a most blessed day you beautiful soul!

    Reply
  2. Connie ,Tai high says

    December 10, 2009 at 6:32 am

    I forgot, I wanted to say,, we do not laugh at these quaint saying of our Mom anymore.

    and life 88.3 link http://www.nwrnetwork.com/radiostations/WDLF/player/index.php

    ALSO GUESS WHAT THIER CALL LETTERS ARE WDLF !!!! WHAT a co incidence.

    Reply
  3. Jan Lockhart says

    December 10, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    I take my hummingbird feeders down about July or August. I want the litle guys out there spreading around the pollen as they are supposed to do. (There are lots of flowers here then…”here” is Sedona, Arizona.) I also want the hummers to migrate and not be dependent on the feeders. THEN I put the feeders back up again in December or January…depending on the weather. There aren’t so many flowers or insects here then, and there is always a stubborn bunch of “gerkins” who remain here in the winter. I want them to be able to have food and shelter. They quickly find the feeders, and in no time at all, we witness the territorial battles and skirmishes hummingbirds are so good at. I’m glad to find someone else who remembers these fiesty little friends in hard times.

    Reply
  4. Sandra MIller says

    December 10, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    Hi Jan and Connie!! Yep, I do the exact same thing to encourage the ruby throats etc. to migrate..unfortunately Annas hummingbirds just dont’ get the hint ..lol!

    FROM A BIRDING WEBSITE

    “Anna’s Hummingbirds in coastal California, Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver Island do not migrate at all, and a year-round feeder usually means year-round birds. Farther inland, Anna’s may move seasonally to make best use of local resources; these movements may be more attuned to elevation than to latitude”.

    I adore the little stinkers. Today one landed on my head while I was putting his feeder back out . He was H-U-N-G-R-Y!!!!!

    Reply
  5. Vonnie says

    December 13, 2009 at 2:03 am

    That “adopted” handbag was just gorgeous! Can see why it didn’t last long.

    Reply
  6. Connie ,Tai high says

    December 16, 2009 at 11:57 am

    SOOOOOOO Happy to get the panda handbag! It is even more gorgeous than the photos!

    Sandra,

    Once again, your talent just stuns and amazes me! A treasure forever, and thanks so much for the extra goodies and packaging like a present!!!!!!
    Hugs,
    Connie

    Reply
  7. Sandra Miller says

    December 16, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    CONNIE …I’m soooooooooo excited you love your new bag!!! I miss that bag!! It was hanging on my mannequin after I got it done and I loved the way the mirrors would glint when the sun came in and hit them.

    Enjoy my friend!!! This is perfect for all seasons…great colors for absolutely everything!! Thank you again!!! Huggggggggggggz

    Reply

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    December 8, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sandra Miller, Sandras_World. Sandras_World said: GRAFFITIGOSSIP BLOG A GERKIN IN THE GARDEN and more goodies in the store: Do you all remember my “Snow Bird” f… http://bit.ly/4nr5zo […]

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