The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary

The Baiting Hollow Sanctuary is a very special, unique place.

It is a private sanctuary located in Long Island, New York. Professor Paul Adams of Stony Brook University created it on his own private property.

The sanctuary is free to visit but only open during the month of August and strictly by appointment.

 If you're interested in visiting, be sure to read details here.

I've only visited once, on the last day of August.

I felt very appreciative and privileged to sit in these chairs and drink in the scenery while wild hummingbirds zipped around me.  

Until I read Paul Adam's blog, I didn't think it was possible to see hummingbirds in my urban area. His plant list helped me build my own successful hummingbird garden. Even a container garden will do if you don't have land.

The fragrance from these large butterfly bushes is incredibly pleasant, probably my all-time favorite scent.

Unfortunately, helicopters and other low-flying aircraft interrupted the peace at times and unnecessarily too:

 

There are plenty of mini alcoves to enjoy the otherwise delightful atmosphere.

I'd never seen Albizia Julibrissin trees in person before. These trees are stunningly beautiful with their fluffy nectar-filled flowers. The hummingbirds sure liked them too.

I wasn't able to catch photographs of hummingbirds with my camera but here is a video still:

The video:

Here is another short video:

A new plant for me to try growing and overwintering, Porterweed:

Hopefully next year I'll be able to visit again and donate some nice hummingbird plants too.  Mr. Adams does not accept monetary donations but bringing a plant or two is most welcome.  

Please check out this link for additional information and learn about the interesting history and present obstacles the sanctuary is facing. Natural spaces like this are dwindling and becoming rarer and rarer. I hope The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary will survive for generations of hummingbirds and people to come. 

Ode to the Mexican Sunflower Tithonia Rotundifolia Torch

It’s mid-October and the Ruby-throated hummingbirds have migrated from our New York area. Monarch butterflies are frequent visitors now. Floating gently through the air but always returning to these florescent beacons.

Tithonia rotundiflora is a flower powerhouse. Over and over it blooms. Like the classical mythological Hydra creature, it grows seemingly endless flower heads yet deadheading isn’t necessary. I’ve already clipped several seed pods off for next year. You never have to buy them again once you’ve grown one. All you need to do is remember to harvest some seeds. This is an annual plant in our zone but easily replanted and regrown from seed. This plant grew 5 feet tall, rather bushy and endured somewhat formidable winds without breakage. It’s constantly blooming and setting seed.