Life has been a crazy roller-coaster since end of June, and wow, it’s been hard to catch breath let alone catch any images. But today is a rare, mellow Saturday, and the sun is shining, and there are still things flowering in my garden. I decided to stop and smell the roses, literally, and enjoy the beautiful bounty of my garden.

The best part of the morning, though, so far, has been watching a hummingbird harry a Stellar Jay through the trees. The jay seemed as surprised as I was.

Pic 1: This is going to be my iconic summer photo for a while, I think. Mammoth Grey Sunflower, with its busy buzzy bee.

Pic 2: Evening Sunset Sunflower with its own bee.

Pic 3: California Fuchia. It’s growing in well, and the hummers have loved it.

Pic 4: The Othello rose. Doing much, much better now. Almost fully recovered from black spot and rust. That’s what happens when we don’t have rain for two months straight, all the damp-related issues go away.

Pic 5: My beloved Kaffir lilies are putting on a show right now. And how they have filled in their corner of the garden already!