Tuesday, August 30, 2011

After Every Storm The Sun Will Smile...*



Before Hurricane Irene, my husband and I hurriedly put away the deck and patio furniture, decorative garden hanging ornaments and wind chimes, planters, fountains, and yard art. The prediction was for 80 to 100 mph winds that could lift and hurl almost anything we had out in the yard. Afterwards, we waited. Saturday morning sprinkles and breezes soon turned into driving rain and powerful winds that increased in intensity as the day wore on.

The hummingbirds were feeding from the feeders and displayed more aggressive territorial behavior than usual. Perhaps they sensed that food sources soon may be scarce. When the winds got so high that this feeder rocked back and forth, I was forced to take it down.




However, I left the other feeder up because it was located in a somewhat protected area. This particular male remained at the feeder and protected it tirelessly the entire day--even through the driving rain.




There were times when the wind gusts were so high he would fly to a nearby maple tree and clutch a twig as the wind whipped him and the twig up and down and all around. (He is close to the center of the photo.)




After all the worrying and hoping for the best, we really did sustain very little damage. A few tree branches broke or are torn and hang drooping by the trunks. Some young trees in our wooded area are leaning, having been partially uprooted. A few of the larger perennials are damaged but not demolished.

Our two Autumn Olive trees were thrust to the ground by the high winds.




These trees provided a natural screen between the yard and our patio and were much beloved by the birds. Wrens, robins, and cardinals perched on the limbs and sang morning tunes. In autumn, they ate the sweet red berries--if the squirrels did not get them first.

I am somewhat sad that we lost these trees. They were some of my favorite trees in the yard. Besides attracting wildlife, they had a unique form and structure. And I am wondering if it was the dense foliage that became caught by the wind and then pulled down to the ground. Luckily, I have some seedlings in a pot that I may plant elsewhere. Here, I am thinking of adding one or two Japanese maples. When change is forced upon us, it is an opportunity for a new direction.




Elsewhere in the neighborhood, there were huge trees that were uprooted.




A gust of wind must have come through here and hit several trees at once.




When I walked through, I discovered that these fallen and arched trunks had created a window.




I looked through this nature-made window and saw the glimmer of the morning sun.




And somehow I was compelled to make a silent wish.................for a calm and peaceful autumn.




*William R. Alger
©Michelle A. Potter

63 comments:

  1. Beautiful post. I'm so glad your damage was not too terrible, although am sad about your Olive trees. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I am sorry that you lost your olive trees, but at least as you say, it is an opportunity to set out in a new direction. It is lucky that you have a few seedlings from which to grow new trees.

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  3. Wow what weather. Very interesting to see this.

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  4. The tale of the hummingbird riding out the storm is so sweet. It is heartbreaking when you think of all the extreme weather wildlife has to endure. I've been sure to keep the hummingbird feeders filled as there are so few flowers blooming and I'm sure they're appreciative as yours were during the storm. Sorry too to hear about your olive trees but glad you have the seedlings to replant. Here is hoping for a quiet autumn for you :)

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  5. Ohh, you sent shivers up my spine with those downed tree photos. In 2004 Frances and Jeanne knocked down 12 or 13 trees on our acre. Fortunately, none touched the house but almost. Don't live there anymore, the aftermath being very traumatic.

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  6. I love the hummingbird story.. I have a couple of sets of hummers that quarrel over the feeder. I even have a fiesty one that makes sure that you know its there. I would be sad of anything happened to them.. I'm sorry about your trees, mother nature can be relentless... I'm glad things are okay for you...

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  7. Glad to hear you pulled through the storm reasonably unscathed. A few years ago the UK was hit by violent storms which felled a lot of our ancient trees. The press showed pictures of the areas 10 years later, and the re-growth has been remarkable. Nature has a way of sorting things out.

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  8. So glad you and your garden survived relatively unscathed. Amazing story about the hummingbird, thanks for sharing it with us. Sad that your olive trees fell with the power of the wind, but as you say, another planting opportunity !

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  9. I always wondered about birds in storms. Especially the hummers that really can no wait it out very easily. I enjoyed your story and photos about the bird. Too bad for the trees. Always a chance of loss in this big storms. Good the people were OK without major loss of life.

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  10. Isn't it amazing how territorial hummingbirds are! Your captures of him enduring the storm are great! I am thankful that you didn't have any more damage than a few trees lost, although it is a shame. Glad you have such a positive attitude.

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  11. So glad you didn't have too much damage. I loved what you said "When change is forced upon us, it is an opportunity for a new direction." Lovely post. I also loved the little hummingbird that was protecting his food source!

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  12. I'm glad you are safe Michelle and your home, that's the main thing, sorry to see all your tree damage though, especially the olives I would say it was the dense foliage, a few years ago my Oleria was blown over by the gales part of the root exposed, I pulled it upright, staked it cut lots off and gave it a feed it's fine now but I prune it so there is an openess and the wind can pass through, I took some cuttings from when I cut it back and most of them took and so it has babies, I would never have done this if the gales hadn't knocked it over,
    I like your seeing it as a new opportunity there is a gardener on a radio garden programme over here who said she is sometimes pleased when something dies as then she can buy a new plant to fit the space, moving on, Frances

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  13. How frightening, waiting for a storm to arrive! Sorry about the trees, but you will make it beautiful again. Tough little hummer, guarding his dinner.

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  14. I'm glad that you're ok, and were not standing under any of those trees when they got uprooted. Nature is such a powerful thing. That window is so beautiful and hopeful, I will be adding my prayers to your wish for a calm and peaceful autumn.

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  15. Enjoyed your post about the losses and beauty created by the storm.

    So sorry about your autumn olives but pleased you have some seedlings in pots ready to replant.

    We do learn so much in a garden all the time and storms have a way of revealing both strengths and weaknesses.

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  16. It's always sad to lose plants, especially large trees. I think we may learn about some severe losses here too but it will be to lack of rain. I don't think we will know for sure until next year. I plan to go off in a new direction just as soon as I can get out there for more than 5 minutes. More rock!

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  17. Oh, so sorry about your trees! Am also hoping for a peaceful autumn. The shot of the bird by the feeder was sweet. I always feel for the animals stuck outside during bad weather.

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  18. I am so glad that you are ok. Sorry you lost your olive trees. So glad that it wasn't worse.

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  19. Wonderful post! I'm glad your house was spared from any falling trees. I'd love a moist autumn!

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  20. Thank you for explaining what it really feels like to experience that kind of extreme weather. I'm so happy that your house and most of your garden has come through; you are very positive to see hope and beauty after the storm. Christina

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  21. Wise words: "When change is forced upon us, it is an opportunity for a new direction." Harder to do the older we become so very much enjoyed your positive outlook. The tenacious hummingbird was another lesson too.

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  22. It is good you take this situation well and are thinking of new trees. Hope you have a peaceful autumn. Great pics all.

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  23. What a lovely post. To see beauty in the midst of destruction. Sorry about your olive trees but glad that is all you lost during Irene.

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  24. Glad you did not get more damage, but sorry to hear about your trees! It is rather heartbreaking to lose something you have nurtured - no matter what it is.

    Hoping for calmer weather this week.

    And wonderful photo of the hummingbird! Amazing.
    Julie

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  25. I'm so sorry to see the destruction that happened around your home. I had heard that at this time of year winds are more destructive because the trees are full with leaves so it catches instead of blowing through. I like what you say about change providing an opportunity for new direction. I'll be keeping that in my mind while I work in my garden.

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  26. I'm glad you had minimal damage as the result of such a powerful hurricane. So sorry about the lost trees.

    I really like the photos of your hummers. The males truly are territorial, but gorgeous. Glad they survived the winds.

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  27. Oh dear! Hope your Olive seedling will grow big! Hope everything is better now!

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  28. No wonder you are hoping for peace in autumn. Glad your damage from Goodnight Irene was not severe.

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  29. We're relieved that you're safe and sound. Trees falling is so scary. It's inspirational that something so tiny as a hummingbird is so strong!

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  30. @Desperate Gardener We were lucky...it could have been a lot worse. Other parts of the country seem to be struggling.

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  31. @Jennifer@threedogsinagarden There were always a few volunteers in the spring underneath the trees, so I saved a few....glad I did!

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  32. @Katie Hertfelder It was really incredible how that window formed.

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  33. @catharine Howard It has been crazy weather...hope it takes a break.

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  34. @Cat They all seem to have survived. I see them flying around the agastache and the feeders, chirping at each other. Thank you, Cat, for your shared hope.

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  35. @sherryocala My goodness, that sounds very traumatic. I am so glad none touched your house.

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  36. @virginia They seem fine. They are flying around chasing each other from the feeders and the agastache. Thanks, Virginia, for your good wishes.

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  37. @elaine rickett Thanks, Elaine. I am trying to see it in the most positive light.

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  38. @Pauline I am so glad you liked the post, Pauline. Things seem somewhat back to normal now. I hope we can keep it that way.

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  39. @gardenwalkgardentalk.com I have always wondered about them as well. I still don't know how they held on for that long--practically all day and all night.

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  40. @Karin / Southern Meadows Thanks, Karin. He was a tough little guy. I do hope that those who sustained more damage are able to find some relief soon.

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  41. @HolleyGarden He was so strong. I never really knew how strong they were...now I do.

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  42. @Island Threads We tried doing that, but we could not pull it back upright. It had been pulled, yanked, forward. I would rather see it as an opportunity than pine for something I can never get back again.

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  43. @linniew Thanks, linniew. Your vote of confidence is inspiring.

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  44. @The Lazy Composter You are so kind to do so...I really appreciate it.

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  45. @Greenearth Thanks, Greenearth. You are so right...storms in nature are great teachers.

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  46. @Lancashire rose Many things are not obvious until the following year. I will be assessing things for next year as well.

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  47. @Bumble Lush I am amazed at the resilience of the animals. Where do delicate butterflies go to protect themselves from those powerful winds? Somehow they survived...I see lots of them every day.

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  48. @Lola Thanks, Lola. I am glad it was not worse, too,

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  49. @Casa Mariposa Thanks, Casa. I hope you get your wish for a moist autumn.

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  50. @Christina Thanks, Christina. I am glad we made it through with very little damage.

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  51. @PatioPatch Ah...that we could be as tenacious as the hummingbird during a hurricane. He was very inspirational.

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  52. @Indrani Thanks, Indrani. I appreciate your good wishes.

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  53. @Tufa Girl Thanks, Tufa Girl. In many ways, I really did not lose the autumn olives since I have some seedlings.

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  54. @Wife, Mother, Gardener Thanks, Julie. I hope calmer weather is in store for us all.

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  55. @Marguerite I think that is why so many trees did fall...because the wind caught the leaves.

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  56. @Your Gardening Friend Thanks, Holly, for your kind words. They were such troopers...those hummers.

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  57. @Malar Thanks, Malar. Things are much better now. What a difference a week makes.

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  58. @Elephant's Eye I like how you call it Goodnight Irene. I am glad things were not as bad as they could have been, but I feel for those who are still suffering from the affects.

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  59. @Malinda Isn't it? I still don't know how they survived those winds.

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  60. Yes, hoping there are calm and peaceful seasons ahead.

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  61. Wow awesome flowers!
    May your wish be fulfilled! :)
    garden sculptures

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'I see trees of green, red roses, too
I see 'em bloom for me and for you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world'
--What a Wonderful World

Thank you for visiting The Sage Butterfly blog. I enjoy reading your charming reflections very much. Have a great day!

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