Last summer I was balanced precariously on the edge of a raised garden bed, reaching for beans growing up a tall obelisk, most of them scarlet runner beans. Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to the brilliant red flowers produced by this pole bean, and the obelisk was covered with them. Then, out of the corner of my eye I saw a hummingbird, feeding on the nectar, only about 18 inches from my head! I heard it before I saw it, so I knew to keep still. Fortunately I have good peripheral vision, so I was able to get a pretty good look without turning my head. After enjoying several blooms it flew off.
I finally finished this sketch — started months ago — adding the bird (thanks to internet images) and the beans. So that magical encounter is now recorded in paint for posterity.

Beautiful!
Intetesting that you should send this now.
I was just looking at the notes I made from the sketch scientist journalist.
On Thu., Dec. 9, 2021, 7:20 p.m. Everyday Sketches, wrote:
> Alison R. Hall posted: ” Last summer I was balanced precariously on the > edge of a raised garden bed, reaching for beans growing up a tall obelisk, > most of them scarlet runner beans. Hummingbirds are particularly attracted > to the brilliant red flowers produced by this pole bean, ” >
LikeLike
This is such a beautiful spread. It seems to me that you have sketched it with as much love as you put into your garden every year. I can almost hear the hummingbird.
LikeLike
Ah shucks, thank you my friend!
LikeLike
It’s lovely!
LikeLike