Rubies in the Rain

     It was late July, 2017. The Delphinium flowers were in full bloom and standing tall. Looking into the garden from a distance, all you could see were tall spikes of blue and purple everywhere. For a hummingbird, the garden would look like a Candy Land. Every flower was full and showing its brilliance, and then the rain came. A full day of rain and gusty winds shook and snapped many stalks. All I could do from indoors was wait until it finished. The next morning fresh fragrant air consumed the garden, and the smells, sights and sounds made it good to be alive. The strong winds had formed some character into the tall Delphiniums and made them arch over creating a tired looking garden. Countless raindrops filled each flower until they were saturated and slumping. Every open flower caught the drops of rain and mixed with the nectar, making them less desirable for hummingbirds, but in the case of this young Ruby-throat, it soon figured out that the flowers under the arches still held undiluted sweet nectar. It made the best of a soggy situation. I spent the remainder of the cloudy morning capturing the young birds searching out worthy blooms.
From one package of seeds about 12 years ago, I've created about 20 or more islands of Delphiniums spread over 1/2 and acre. This is just one small area of the garden that's usually a preferred location for the young hummingbirds, until they figure out the feeders. Even then they find it hard to resist.
N.E. of Edmonton, AB., Canada. Late July 2017