'ELFS'-2013

'ELFS'
Through the parallel worlds of time and space, elves have been with us for millions of years. Its just we as humans either haven't seen them, believe in them or they have been standing in front of  us and these mystical creatures just haven't wanted to be seen. 

There has been great diversity in how elves have been portrayed. This depends on which race of elves you might be talking about. Elves can be depicted as youthful -  men and women of great beauty, living in forests and other natural places. There are the dark elves, shadow elves, drow's, ghost elves, night elves & sometimes the moon elves that usually live in the very dept's of forests, caves & the deep caverns of the earth. Some of these elves use pagan and the use of black magic. but this is not all. It just depends on the race of the elves. Each race has their own set of history, Personality, Society, Religion, Magic, Clothes, appearance, Orgins, land in which the live ~

Some feel that elves are folklore and are generally possessed by some supernatural abilities. Often related to disease, which they could use for good healing or sickness depending on their relationship toward the person they were affecting. Some people believe that elves have some power overtime, so they can entrap human beings with their music and dance.
 It was called the lure of the dance - 

The ring of dance haunts many a fairy tale, a means of drawing mortals into the warped time and space of fairyland. Fairies and elves cavort at right or before dawn on misty mornings. Join the circling dancers at your  own risk; once you have entered the dance, few if any ever make if home  again. Because a ring has neither beginning nor end, it is all but impossible to break from it. Not only is the ring dance magical, so are the marks that it leaves. The tireless tripping of tiny feet etches a circle motif into the ground; it can appear as deep  as green tufts or a scorched effect. The grass within may look lusher, dry as thatch, or even reddish in hue - in Orkney it shows as a ring of green on bare heath-land and at certain times of  year, a ring of mushrooms sprouts from it. The size of a fairy ring varies, from a few inches to 200 feet or more . Fairy rings are extremely slow-growing - it is thought that some Fairy rings that are  larger are hundreds of years old. Not only is the ring  perilous for humans to step within, its grass is unpalatable for grazing animals, who are intuitive to its danger signals.

Except for Welsh sheep. The superior quality of Welsh mutton is credited to those reckless sheep greedily munching on the grass off the fairy ring! 

One might be drawn to the ring by fairy music. Fatally charming for human ears, it weaves dreams and acts as a sleeping draft or love potion. You will never have a better time, the tales tell, and never weary. But when you stop dancing, or are pulled away by a loved one who  remains bravely with one foot outside the ring, you may find a year and a day or a lifetime has passed away. Some have dropped dead from exhaustion. Those who do return are described as dulled or befuddled, moving trance-like through life,unable to recall the tune, the dance or partner, but also unable to forget.
The Fairy Ring
Dare you haunt our hallow'd green?
None but fairies here are seen.
Down and sleep,
Wake and weep,
Pinch him black, and pinch him blue,
That seeks to steal a lover true!
When you come to hear us sing, 
or to tread our fairy ring,
Pinch him black, and pinch him blue!
O thus our nails hall handle you! 
by Thomas Ravenscroft

Just like their Fairy Ring Dance - The Faeries Music alone can be just as important part of their daily lives - but just as dangers to humans too. 
Music play such an important part in the fairy's daily living, particularly that of a Celtic fairy. that some wee folk like the Hebridian spinning fairy, will punish humans who can't hold a tune. Their music is haunting, lilting, and utterly other - worldly fairy music, that if caught by human ears, is so bewitching - one will lose their senses. This is whether it is comprises sweetly melancholic music or lively tunes that will cause the human body to start to dance, this music can remain in the mind forever, so you can see how they could be a not so  friendly type of Fae. The fairy instruments are exquisitely tuned to the cultural tastes of the mortals (humans) who listen to them.
In Wales, the little people play golden harps, in Ireland miniature fiddles, in Scotland the pipes. They  can make music on more uncommon instruments too  - Like the natural things that are around them. Like fishing nets , silver branches, and even a hammer. They say that an fairy fingers on an instrument is like nearly resembles Heaven's harmony

Artist Image of fairy Ring 

Real photo of fairy ring

Fairies and Elves like to be clandestine, so what better way of moving around bustling human markets and towns invisible. It is one of the reason why they are feared by mankind & the reason why they are not understood or for that matter believed - that they are still here. One never knows where they are and what they might over - hear. Some of them are as tiny as a bee and even smaller. Others are human size or even much more taller. They are  living creatures that live very long lives and some are immortal. 
I think the thing that scares the humans the most is that they have magic powers over humans and that they can do their magic in many different way. They don't always have to us a spell or potion. Many of the elves can use their minds & this is what I believe scares the human race. And has for millions of years since they have had contact with the elves. 
Another problem I feel is that most humans have a hard time in believing in  elven realms, parallel worlds, or even portals that they have used for centuries, in the deep forest of Oak Trees.  The reason I say the Oak Forests is because they are known well for being protected by fairy spirits and these tree spirits can be quite crafty and tricky. If your not careful in the forest of the Oak, You might find your self lost wondering around in circles deeper and deeper in the forest and never finding your way out.
I also believe that the elf's & Faeries are mis-understood. Like I was saying their great cities were on our earth before the age of the dragon. Now  they use our forest the u-touched ones /Yes there are a few left. In these forests, is where they have their portal holes to a other dimensions & Parallel worlds, that they can come in and out of our world. One way they do it is by the ancient Oak trees at the base of the tree. Another is in the ancient runes in many parts of Ireland , Scotland , England , Greece to bee just a few.
It could even be in your own backyard - but you will never find it because if your not in tue with the realm of the correlates of the eves or faeries, Mnay of these experiences of these amazing beings will never be part of your life and they will never will appear before you. If your don't open your mind, heart and spirit.
I myself have been lucky or maybe the since the last 8 years in my life I've been much more open minded in my heart and spirit. I've seen many different orbs of light in by backyard  when i take photos & sometimes I see these orbs of light at dusk and at late at night. I hope that you are lucky to be with these beings at some point in your lives too.

Come fairies
take me out of this dull world,
for I would ride with you
upon the wind and dance
upon the mountains like a flame. 
by w.b. yeats

I love this poem, sometimes when life gets to hard, I think of my fairies friends.
  
Wendy

'Planting Hummingbird Flowers & the Zones to Plant them"-2013

'Planting Hummingbird Flowers'

 When planting hummingbird flowers. I've used the perennial flowers

for many years, because they thrive year after year. In the winter months

my flowers kinda go into a winter sleep & then when spring comes along,

they come back to life. Living in the Northwest - near Cana

da I've found 

that this has worked the best for me. But it really depends on where you live. The one thing you want to look for when you first go looking for hummingbird flowers is their planting zones - This is something that I didn't know much about when I first started my hummingbird garden. I hope to help all of you on this, so you won't go thru some of the heartache that I have gone thru over the years of planting flowers, that I loved - then when it came around fall to December they would all died.   
So first before I talk about hummingbird flowers & the different kinds

     of flowers, I am going to go over planting zones.      

Planting Zones ~

Zone 3 : -30 to -20 degrees

Zone 4 : -20 to -10 degrees

Zone 5 : -10 to 0 degrees

Zone 6 : 0 to 10 degrees 

Zone 7 : 10 to 20 degrees

Zone 8 : 20 to 30 degrees 

Zone 9 : 30 to 40 degrees 

Zone 10 : above 40 degrees

These are the planting zones that i hope will help you when you pick out 

your hummingbird flowers. I also will include a picure of a map of the zones to help you to.

As far as the flowers:

These are some of American's Award -winning hummingbird plants, 

I hope these plants will come useful to you in your own  hummingbird garden.......

Sparkler Blush Cleome - 2002 winner

Not your typical cleome, this hybrid was a breeding breakthrough when it was introuced -

Densey covered with pink flowers, Its more closely branched than other cleomes, giving it a denser appearance on a more compact plant - The airy  blush - pink florets attract not only hummingbirds but butterflies and bees too.

Quartz Bugundy Verbena - 1999 winner

The intense wine-colored florets will attract the hummingbirds first with their color,

then with their nectar, They have an improved resistance to mildew & will flower a lot longer than most many other vebeuas type of flowers. 

Note - these flowere will thrive in any container or hanging baskets.

Twinny Peach Snapdragon - 2010 winner

The shape of this variety of flower & colrful florets makes it especially

easy for hungry hummingirds to reach the nectar  - with their bewitching blend of 

peach, yellow & light and orange blooms. These snapdragons provide excellent 

coverage for both annal borders & containers.

Note: These are great floweres & easy care - exceptional tolerance to all climates too-

I've found they have even made it thru my cold winter months in the Northwest too.

Evolution Salvia of Many  Colors - 2006 winner

This vaiety expands the Salvia color range with its lilac spikes.

Hummingbirds, bees, & butterflies all love them & are attracted to the well - brached, 

robust plants -

Note- It comes also in a flower called 'Lady in Red' & 'Summer Jewel' variety too-

These are favorites of the hummingbird

HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST PERENNIALS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS

I'VE USE SOME OF THESE AND THE ONES THAT I DO HAVE , I'VE USED FOR YEARS.

Penstemon -  (zones 3 to 10)

These come in Red, purple  & white. Then reach heights of up to 4 feet, remaing in profuse bloom for 

most of all of the summer. They need full sun and well drained soil is ideal- 

(damp or rich soil may cause them to rot)

Butterfly Weed - (zones 3 to 9)

These beautiful flowers will dress up the wild part of your yard with summer -blooming

wild flowers in shades of orange & red. It will reach heights of 3 feet tall &blooms for most of the summer. 

Columbine - (zones 3 to 9)

These beauty bloom exuberantly in spring to early summer, the columbines comes in a broad range of solid colors and bicolors too .All  of these pretty flowers can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet high.

Cardinal Flower (zones 3 to 9)

This  beautiful flower is  - full of moisture & has all your favorite shades of red, pink, and white.

The flower grow to 3 to 5 feet tall and blooms for most of the summer.

Verbena - (zones 9 to 10)

You can expect this flower to bloom all summer long with the most beautiful colors -

The plants features spires of red, pink, purple or white and reach about a foot in height.

Keep their soil moist & dry conditions 

Coral Bells - (zones 3 to 9)

The Coral Bells needs reach, fertile soil - this is best for this type of flower.

Also they need partial shade which is ideal for this handsome plant. The Coral Bells are valued for their colorful, often purple - hue foliage - Then in late spring  the plant sends up pretty long lasting wands of tiny flowers. This is a wonderful plant- but I have found it to be a difficult one to grow.

Crocosmia - (zones 5 to 9)

This dramatic plant reaches up to 3 feet high & blooms in mid  to late summer, with fabulous red and Orange blooms - Moist soil is very important for this flower.

Bee Balm - (zones 3 to 9)

This flower is a staple in any hummingbired garden, and it has a fun shape to boot! Find it in

its traditional red if you can. It  also come in shades of pink, whit and purple too. 

But I have found that the hummingbirds love the red one the most.

Also the red flowers are edible & the leaves are too. You can use them for tea too. The tea taste kinda like mint tea.  The Bee Balm is my Favoite Flower flower & I have been growing them for about 6 to 7 years.

Red - Hot Poker - (zones5 - 9)

Terrific in mixed flower borders of smaller groups - dramatic red - hot poker plant grows up to 4 feet high and delivers bright plumes of red, yellow, orange and bicolors - For best results well drained soil is important for this plant - against rot in the pot - They do best in full sun 

Fuchsia - Annual

One of the most recognizable annual arounds fuchsia have dainty flowers that resemble ballerinas & hummingbirds will flock to the red, white, pink and purple blooms - you can find both dwarf and upright varieties but most grow  up to 6 - 24 inches 

These flowers thrive in baskets even in the winter months.

I hope that I've help in some of your questions in picking the right flower for your hummingbird gardens- 

And I hope that you share your favorite flowers and hummingbirds in my comments. I would love to hear what you all have discovered with these tiny Jewels-
Wendy~

  

    

  

Hummingbird Feeders-2013

Hummingbird Feeders~ 

You can supplement the food that your hummingbirds collect from the flowers in your yard with a special feeder that gives the food source that they need when, your garden is in different seasons of the year. This could be when your hummingbirds favorite flowers aren't in bloom or it could be in other areas during periods of drought or floods, when  flowers might not be able to bloom profusely. When you  go out looking for a hummingbird feeder, you will fined many different kinds of commercial and Artist feeders to choose from. The question is which one is for you! And your hummingbirds. I could tell you a few hints of what I have learned over the many years of living with these beautiful tiny birds. One thing is I found that Hummingbirds are very attracted to the color red. Now this doesn't mean you have to get a red hummingbird feeder. But The two different kinds that I do have and always use are 1) my large clear plastic feeder where they are able to rest and sit while they eat the food that I make for them. 2) Is my large glass feeder that they can come and fly and get a quick drink when ever they want. I also have two  very small feeders that you can stick in a plant pot of their favorite flower. This is handy  when introducing a new flower  or one of  their favorite flowers. Now about the color red. When you first start out with trying to attract hummingbirds, I put some RED ribbons nearby to get the hummingbirds attention. They also love to fly thru water too. Like fountains...

Try to place your new feeder where it will be protected form the wind - so that the sugar solution doesn't spill out (I will give you my home recipe for hummingbird nectar later on in the blog), If possible it should also be located in the shade too; hot sun can cause your sugar solution to spoil faster. And of course, it should absolutely be hung where you will be able to watch your tiny jewels flying about.  That's is what got me so fond and love theses tiny jewels. I have even found a love of photography with these tiny beautys'.
There are lots of commercial hummingbird food mixtures available but these arent' good mixtures for your tiny beauty's. In my opinion, they have artificial chemical & preservatives but it is really up to you! 
Here is my Hummingbird Nectar 
4 to 5 parts water 
1 part white sugar - note  parts means 1 cup 
1 - teaspoon of pure orange Extract - This is what make my Nectar special!

Mix 1 cup of white granulated sugar to 4 cups of water, then put the temp to either med/high on the top of the stove.
When the solution starts to boil, stir until the white granulated sugar has dissolved. Once this has happened you will want to take it off the burner, and let cool.Once the solution is cool, you can then put in clean plastic containers filled with your own special nectar. Keep the extra Nectar in the refrigerator. 
It is important to only use white sugar - do not use honey or  artificial sugars it could sicken or possibly  harm your hummingbirds seriously. As far as the RED food coloring to add in your home made nectar well,  I think that is a personal thing. I myself do add a little of the red food coloring in my nectar..And I have been for about 5 to 6 years.
I have noticed that in the winter months when my hummers do stay here in Washington state. It snows here sometimes and gets down to the lows 20's . So what I fine that helps with the feeders is using old socks to cover the e feeders. And with the larger one's I use a old scarf.

Brazilian Ruby femaleype

 Lucifer Hummingbird 

The wine Throat hummingbird  

You should always keep your feeders clean. That is very important/Why you may ask? Well because of the big problem with mold.The mold can make the tiny birds sick. . So I clean my feeders a lot in the winter months, because of the mold. In the summer months it isn't as bad but you still have to keep an eye on your feeders for the mold..The best way of cleaning them is just warm water  & a little bit of dish washing liquid soap.Just make sure that you get all the soap off before you put your yummy nectar in the feeder. 
I hope that all this info has been helpful. For my next blog on hummingbirds I will go over different flowers that are great for hummingbirds & Great ones that attract hummingbirds too. 
Wendy.