Whilst folks are bird watching, birds (including this lone white-breasted sparrow and lone red house finch), are “watching” the foliage of the thriving kiwi vines growing  my urban (NYC) garden!

Two days ago, the convo amongst the birds who visit my garden focused on what to especially give thanks for on Thanksgiving (which is today); and one of my birds was especially grateful for the foliage on my Ajuga plant, a plant that has been featured here on tumblr as well as within TLLG’s Blogger entries. The Ajuga grows in the same container as my prolific Kiwi Vine, prolific because he “proved” himself when starring as a narrator in my first garden themed Virtual Story (mini movie) titled “The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of fame … almost,” which can be viewed in my Vimeo Library. But my chickadee is also grateful to be featured in a number of photo-ops within TLLG’s Pinterest Boards, Flickr Galleries, Blogger entries and posts here on tumblr, where we are most grateful to our followers and re-bloggers. We wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving, a Thanksgiving which brings with it blessings to you and yours which last throughout the years to come! 

Two days ago, the convo amongst the birds who visit my garden focused on what to especially give thanks for on Thanksgiving (which is today); and one of my birds was especially grateful for the foliage on my Ajuga plant, a plant that has been featured here on tumblr as well as within TLLG’s Blogger entries.

The Ajuga grows in the same container as my prolific Kiwi Vine, prolific because he “proved” himself when starring as a narrator in my first garden themed Virtual Story (mini movie) titled “The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of fame … almost,” which can be viewed in my Vimeo Library.

But my chickadee is also grateful to be featured in a number of photo-ops within TLLG’s Pinterest Boards, Flickr Galleries, Blogger entries and posts here on tumblr, where we are most grateful to our followers and re-bloggers. We wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving, a Thanksgiving which brings with it blessings to you and yours which last throughout the years to come! 

Yesterday afternoon whilst watering my urban (NYC) terrace garden, I discovered that my H.F. Clematis had some new growth (seen in the first image with this entry), which was a wonderful surprise, given the trauma this vine recently endured when she was put in a body bag to accommodate the repairs which were recently made to my garden!

Seeing my H.F. Clematis’s new growth prompted me to recall a quote by Albert Camus, which is “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower,” especially because the way the vine looked in relation to his new leaves, gave the appearance that he was handing me a bouquet of leaves!

Of course, since I call myself The Last Leaf Gardener, you might surmise that I appreciate leaves, and it seems that the birds (including blue jays, cardinals, house finches and mourning doves) who visit my garden, are awestruck by leaves too — as evidenced by the other images included with today’s entry —  which feature a few photo-ops of my birds staring at various leaves on what I grow in my garden! The birds as you can see are mesmerized by the leaves as they anticipate the color change  which will eventually occur.

In the images I’ve included here the blue jay, baby cardinal, mama cardinal (named Cam), and baby finch, all await my ‘Tamukeyama’s’ (Japanese Red Maple) fall “fashion” show. And he will not disappoint them, as evidenced by his past color change performances that were featured in my first garden themed Virtual Story (mini movie) called The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame … almost, which may be viewed in my Vimeo Library.

Moreover, a red house finch, a baby finch and a mourning dove that are featured in the other images here are awaiting the Kiwi Vine’s anticipated leaf color change: a color change of “awesome yellow with lovely red markings,” as he said himself, when he narrated the aforementioned Virtual Story.

The Kiwi’s narration of this particular story has led him to be chosen (cast) as a “spokes-plant” for subsequent narrations in the forthcoming sequels  which I plan to produce as per my indiegogo project, a project which “gives voice to things that live in and visit my garden.”

For those of you who follow me on here on tumblr, Blogger or Facebook, you may recall that my urban (NYC) garden has been going through a major upheaval; and I’ve been quite concerned about the well being of the things I grow, as well as the birds (Cam, a cardinal and her entourage of house finches and mourning doves) that visit us, as evident in stories posted on Blogger, which you may refer to by clicking here and here. In any event, this past Wednesday night, close to midnight (September 27th), I heard in my garden (or rather the area immediately surrounding it), I heard the most powerful crashing sound that I’ve ever heard; and I was a little apprehensive to go on to my terrace to see what had happened, but I could hear folks from the buildings surrounding me as they were screaming from their windows! So when the noise arose like a clatter, I sprang from my computer to see what was the matter! That is when I learned that a tree in the courtyard two buildings east of me, the building that prompted me to create an urban hedge had fallen down landing alongside the building which is directly across from me and it almost took terraces (including mine) with it! Fortunately some pipes broke the tree’s fall, or it surely would have crashed through the windows of the building across from me or possibly even my terrace! I did not see or hear from Cam the following day, and I was very concerned that she or her nest had been injured! I prayed that all was well with Cam, keeping in mind that thiswas not the first time she’d flown the coop. Thankfully, Cam’s returned today (in the pouring rain), and she brought her husband or boy toy with her, who hid in my  Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Tamukeyama’ (Japanese Maple)’s container as pictured here. (Cam’s back is to us; her male companion can be seen — decked out in red — while a young house finch looks north (towards the back of the image) as if he’s standing guard over the lovely cardinals! All of these birds made themselves at home in my ’Tamukeyama’s’ container, and I’m sure this little tree was honored to have them visit! For as you might recall my ’Tamukeyama’ is quite hospitable as evident when he was featured as a co-star in my first garden themed virtual story (movie), titled, The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame … almost, and it can be viewed in my Vimeo Library.  BTW, a very small portion of the Kiwi Vine may be seen to the left of my ‘Tamukeyama’ and my Chelsea Larch is to its right. All of them are preparing for their roles in my upcoming virtual stories (movies) and virtual flip books (samples may be viewed here and here) as well as hardcover book versions, which I plan to produce as per my indiegogo Campaign; a campaign which gives voice to things which live in (and visit) my garden! (P.S. The little copper sign seen in this image is my ‘Tamukeyama’ s name tag. It can give you a sense of the size of the birds visiting my garden.

For those of you who follow me on here on tumblr, Blogger or Facebook, you may recall that my urban (NYC) garden has been going through a major upheaval; and I’ve been quite concerned about the well being of the things I grow, as well as the birds (Cam, a cardinal and her entourage of house finches and mourning doves) that visit us, as evident in stories posted on Blogger, which you may refer to by clicking here and here.

In any event, this past Wednesday night, close to midnight (September 27th), I heard in my garden (or rather the area immediately surrounding it), I heard the most powerful crashing sound that I’ve ever heard; and I was a little apprehensive to go on to my terrace to see what had happened, but I could hear folks from the buildings surrounding me as they were screaming from their windows! So when the noise arose like a clatter, I sprang from my computer to see what was the matter!

That is when I learned that a tree in the courtyard two buildings east of me, the building that prompted me to create an urban hedge had fallen down landing alongside the building which is directly across from me and it almost took terraces (including mine) with it!

Fortunately some pipes broke the tree’s fall, or it surely would have crashed through the windows of the building across from me or possibly even my terrace!

I did not see or hear from Cam the following day, and I was very concerned that she or her nest had been injured! I prayed that all was well with Cam, keeping in mind that thiswas not the first time she’d flown the coop.

Thankfully, Cam’s returned today (in the pouring rain), and she brought her husband or boy toy with her, who hid in my  Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Tamukeyama’ (Japanese Maple)’s container as pictured here. (Cam’s back is to us; her male companion can be seen — decked out in red — while a young house finch looks north (towards the back of the image) as if he’s standing guard over the lovely cardinals!

All of these birds made themselves at home in my ’Tamukeyama’s’ container, and I’m sure this little tree was honored to have them visit! For as you might recall my ’Tamukeyama’ is quite hospitable as evident when he was featured as a co-star in my first garden themed virtual story (movie), titled, The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame … almost, and it can be viewed in my Vimeo Library. 

BTW, a very small portion of the Kiwi Vine may be seen to the left of my ‘Tamukeyama’ and my Chelsea Larch is to its right. All of them are preparing for their roles in my upcoming virtual stories (movies) and virtual flip books (samples may be viewed here and here) as well as hardcover book versions, which I plan to produce as per my indiegogo Campaign; a campaign which gives voice to things which live in (and visit) my garden!

(P.S. The little copper sign seen in this image is my ‘Tamukeyama’ s name tag. It can give you a sense of the size of the birds visiting my garden.

A mourning dove and red house finch from their perch of my Kiwi Vine (which is in my urban — NYC) — garden), check out the “repairs” made to my terrace whilst another mourning dove flies in to see what’s happening!If you’d like to read what happened re my saga surrounding this “renovation,” the stories are posted on my Blogger pages in the following entries. http://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2012/09/the-first-day-of-fall-in-2012-it-is.html AND http://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2012/09/ta-da-ive-put-square-peg-in-round-hole.html

A mourning dove and red house finch from their perch of my Kiwi Vine (which is in my urban — NYC) — garden), check out the “repairs” made to my terrace whilst another mourning dove flies in to see what’s happening!

If you’d like to read what happened re my saga surrounding this “renovation,” the stories are posted on my Blogger pages in the following entries.

http://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2012/09/the-first-day-of-fall-in-2012-it-is.html

AND

http://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2012/09/ta-da-ive-put-square-peg-in-round-hole.html

“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree, BUT, if you want something really divine, try resting in the boughs of a Kiwi Vine,” I heard a number of the birds who visit my urban (NYC) garden proclaim as they enjoyed the branches of my Kiwi Vine, as seen in the photo-ops included with this posting.

The birds of course were referring to Joyce Kilmer’s poem, “Trees,” a poem I have referred to on TLLG’s Blogger pages when discussing my beloved ‘Tamukeyama’ (Japanese Red Maple).

While it may be true that the birds which visit my terrace garden squabble over food, and while they all love to rest in a ‘Tamukeyama,’ (one of the trees that I have in my garden), they all agree that the beautiful and hearty branches of my Kiwi Vine provide a nice resting place.

If you follow, TLLG, then you may be familiar with my opinionated Kiwi Vine, as he was the “spokes-plant” (narrator) for my first garden themed Virtual Story (movie) that is in my Vimeo Library. It’s called, “The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame … almost.”

My hearing the kiwi speak as he did was the impetus for me to want to give voice to things that live (and visit) gardens, which is the basis for my Campaign on indiegogo, and I’m sure that “my” kiwi vine is thrilled about “my” visiting birds appreciating his worth!

The variety of this flower, the Fruitillaria (pictured here), is a spring flower known for its nodding, bell — or cup-shaped flowers. In my urban (NYC) garden, it grows in the same container where I have my Kiwi Vine. I have featured the leaves from this uniquely shaped flower in my Virtual Story (mini movie), “50+ Shades of GREEN,” which can be seen @ https://vimeo.com/44426943

I posted this on TLLG’s Facebook Page this afternoon, dear reader, and as you know, if you have been following me on tumblr, I very rarely duplicate content. However, for my followers who do not do Facebook, I wanted to make sure that you are aware of the following news for TLLG, so without further ado, here is a “copy” of what I posted on TLLG’s Facebook Page today: The “goatie” figurine pictured here is something I have on the bookshelf above my desk. It has been there for quite sometime to remind me of the inspiration which I have received from Michelle Fabio’s blogs (Goatberries and Bleeding Espresso). I first mentioned Michelle on TLLG’s Blogger this past June in a post (that you may refer to by clicking here). Now, my “goatie” figurine has even more meaning, as Michelle was very instrumental in my getting my campaign up on indiegogo.  My campaign is an effort to help folks realize that “the very old, they are miracles like the just born; close to the end is precious like close to the beginning,” and I plan to raise awareness of this fact through garden stories, for, as every gardener knows, close to the end (“spent flowers” as seen in my banner photograph here on Facebook) is gorgeous; as are the “just born” (buds).  As Michelle said on her Bleeding Espresso Facebook Page today, “The Last Leaf Gardener wants to give voice to the garden (thru video) so the elderly can watch the informative videos narrated by the Kiwi Vine, recall favorite memories, get some convo going, & just feel more alive.”  My campaign may be viewed by clicking here.

I posted this on TLLG’s Facebook Page this afternoon, dear reader, and as you know, if you have been following me on tumblr, I very rarely duplicate content. However, for my followers who do not do Facebook, I wanted to make sure that you are aware of the following news for TLLG, so without further ado, here is a “copy” of what I posted on TLLG’s Facebook Page today:

The “goatie” figurine pictured here is something I have on the bookshelf above my desk. It has been there for quite sometime to remind me of the inspiration which I have received from Michelle Fabio’s blogs (Goatberries and Bleeding Espresso).

I first mentioned Michelle on TLLG’s Blogger this past June in a post (that you may refer to by clicking here).

Now, my “goatie” figurine has even more meaning, as Michelle was very instrumental in my getting my campaign up on indiegogo. 

My campaign is an effort to help folks realize that “the very old, they are miracles like the just born; close to the end is precious like close to the beginning,” and I plan to raise awareness of this fact through garden stories, for, as every gardener knows, close to the end (“spent flowers” as seen in my banner photograph here on Facebook) is gorgeous; as are the “just born” (buds). 
As Michelle said on her Bleeding Espresso Facebook Page today, “The Last Leaf Gardener wants to give voice to the garden (thru video) so the elderly can watch the informative videos narrated by the Kiwi Vine, recall favorite memories, get some convo going, & just feel more alive.” 
My campaign may be viewed by clicking here.

“A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter, he who finds one finds a treasure; A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth …”  

And nothing could be truer of the friend that I have found in Victor B, my dear friend who grew up in Trinidad, Land of the Hummingbirds.

It was fitting then, that Victor B helped me “install” three hummingbird feeders last evening in my urban (NYC) container garden. A feeder (each one made of recycled glass with a red top), can be seen in each image accompanying this entry, and please click on  a given image to see a caption and detail.

Victor and I put up the feeders because Juan V saw a hummingbird when he was here this past Monday to help me with my gardening.

Juan V’s observation prompted me to investigate what might lure more humming birds back to my garden; and I was told by various sources, that by tying red ribbon in various places in my garden, the hummingbirds would be sure to come.

Was this red-ribbon advice a quasi Field-of-Dreams-if-you-build-it-they-will-come; or if I tied red-ribbon in various places in my garden, would the hummingbirds come visit? I posted this question to my LinkedIn discussion groups including Garden Writers and Rooftop Gardeners, and I want to once again thank the folks who weighed in on my question by sharing their suggestions.

As of this posting here on tumblr, these folks include Mary P, Athena M, Thomas O, Sara C, Mary C, Lisa W, Arleigh B, Maureen L, Mark K, Lee K and Thomas R. I do not know any of these people personally, so I am especially grateful they weighed in on my question, and now my hope is that I’ll have hummingbirds singing praises in my lovely garden.

And yes, I tied a bit of red ribbon throughout my garden.

At this time of year, the Kiwi Vine which grows in my urban (NYC) garden, “flaunts” pink tips on a number of its leaves, as described in my one of my garden themed movies (virtual stories) @ http://bit.ly/HXgwGS 

I posted this on facebook but for those of you who “don’t do facebook”, I am including it here: Juan V took some aerial photographs of my urban (New York City) terrace garden when he was here on Tuesday. The portion of the one featured here shows my Actinida kolomikta’s (Kiwi Vine) magnificent yellow leaves, they have just turned this awesome color after having been a brilliant green in spring, summer, and very early autumn. I adore this vine and have not only written about it on my blog, The Last Leaf Gardener  in a number of posts, but I also produced a movie featuring it as the narrator.  The movie is called THE KIWI SPEAKS! FIFTEEN MIUTES OF FAME (almost).To read the blog posts, please go to the Labels Menu of my blog and click on Actinida kolomikta and Actimida (Kiwi Vine), and to see my movie, please visit Vimeo. For your convenience I have posted the links to both of these “venues” below:FOR MY BLOG, THE LAST LEAF GARDENER:http://thelastleafgardener.blogspot.com/FOR MY MOVIE, THE KIWI SPEAKS! FIFTEEN MIUTES OF FAME (almost):http://vimeo.com/24047101

I posted this on facebook but for those of you who “don’t do facebook”, I am including it here:


Juan V took some aerial photographs of my urban (New York City) terrace garden when he was here on Tuesday. The portion of the one featured here shows my Actinida kolomikta’s (Kiwi Vine) magnificent yellow leaves, they have just turned this awesome color after having been a brilliant green in spring, summer, and very early autumn. I adore this vine and have not only written about it on my blog, The Last Leaf Gardener  in a number of posts, but I also produced a movie featuring it as the narrator.  The movie is called THE KIWI SPEAKS! FIFTEEN MIUTES OF FAME (almost).
To read the blog posts, please go to the Labels Menu of my blog and click on Actinida kolomikta and Actimida (Kiwi Vine), and to see my movie, please visit Vimeo. For your convenience I have posted the links to both of these “venues” below:
FOR MY BLOG, THE LAST LEAF GARDENER:http://thelastleafgardener.blogspot.com/
FOR MY MOVIE, THE KIWI SPEAKS! FIFTEEN MIUTES OF FAME (almost):http://vimeo.com/24047101