Well, gang, the bistro is cookin'...literally! It's hot... it's humid (well, at least it was... yesterday),
and the late summer menu is now being served for your migration pleasure.
Here's a few of this week's features:
Salvia Coccinea ("LIR" to those in the know ).
We're serving this up on the "All You Can Eat" board this week.
It's a family favorite here at the bistro and one we're sure that you'll enjoy, too.

(Ask your server for the "LIR-AYCE" special and we'll throw in a tasty side dish of
WSHD - Woodland Sunflower - Helianthus Divaricatus).

Red Hot Poker... get it while it lasts! When your wings just can't beat another beat,
pull up a stem and have a long, cool draw on this exotic delicacy. Due to popular demand,
or maybe just a fortunate quirk of nature, we've had this available all summer long...
and the response has been tremendous. Don't miss it!

Tired of perchin' on the sidelines, while all the others get the good stuff?

Then give blepharophylla a try! (Don't worry if you can't pronounce it... neither can we )
Start practicing your inverted flying skills today and impress all of your friends
when you tell them that YOU are one of the few to sample the unique culinary pleasures of this bloom.
Its biggest fans tell us that it tastes just like the gnat-spider-nectar casserole that mom used to regurgitate...YUMMY!


And on the dessert menu...
How about a tube or two of Iochroma Cyanea? Think grape jam with just a hint of fruit fly.
(Special Note - We do ask that you be careful when choosing this item.
As you know, here at the Bistro we cater to all of summer's winged wonders,
and this "limited time only" dessert offering has been very popular with the bee crowd, too.
If you notice one attached to the base of your bloom, please inform the management and we'll try to
quietly diffuse the situation before it turns into some big, dramatic chase scene. )


You say grape's not your flavor? Try some salvia greggii "Peach"! We secured this recipe from
one of our southern suppliers and it will be on the menu... well... until the garden freezes over!!
And, yes, it does taste just like... peach cobbler.


Also, be sure to try some of Michele's Lemon Meringue trumpet vine. We do have a plunger available
if you find that you've over-indulged and have trouble backing out.


And, finally... there's something new at the bistro this year... The "Up Against a Brick Wall Saloon"
where you can find all your favorite, completely organic and pest-free, nectar-based cocktails.

So... belly on up to the bar and sip on a "Tithonia Sunrise"...


...or a long, tall Crocosmia 'Lucifer'... straight up or "On the Bricks"
(Sorry... the devil made me do it )


And, be sure to ask your bartender for a bowl of our delicious, freshly-popped
buddleia popcorn... the perfect snack with anything on our drink menu.


Weekends at the saloon will feature live entertainment this season and our first performer... is a surprise.
His identity will be announced on opening night. The saloon is small, so only the first 100 guests will be admitted.
He's a rock-n-roll humming legend and has had several top ten hits over the past twenty migrations.
He'll be appearing with his new band... The Spigelias.
(Be sure to get in line early because we expect a capacity crowd for this incredible "mystery hummer" )

Here's a copy of the artwork that will be used for the bands' first CD which will be available at the show.


Well, that's all for now, folks. We hope that you're all having a great migration,
and for those of you just now planning your southern adventure, be sure to include our little
hole-in-the-wall on your itinerary... you'll leave with a smile on your bill and plenty of fuel for your trek.

As always, Thanks for your patronage!

Bud & Michele's Nectar Bistro... and saloon... "Where the seasonal doors are always open and the blooms are always full"


Bud
Southwest Ohio
USDA Plant Zone 6a

Camera: Pentax K20D
Lens: Pentax DA*300 f/4, Sigma 180 f/3.5 Macro
There's 1 or 2 more hummingbird / butterfly pics located here...
http://www.pbase.com/budohio

Bud
You had me rolling here. What an imagination you have. This commentary was the best yet


Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Heck, this is better than any TV show (referencing another post, sorry). Bud, your gardens are lovely! Colors are just right. I'd love to see some garden longshots.....pretty please????

Pam NJ 6B

Very well done!

LOL! Excellent Bud!

New Jersey
Zone 6

Bud, Oh that is just a spectacular scenario and menu! I love that picture of the hummer on the Crocosmia lucifer! Very clever - popcorn buddelia ! You really ought to have this published!



Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

Thank you. Your bistro posts are so much fun to read and the pictures are wonderful.

Carol WNY
Amherst, NY
Zone 5

TV? Who needs it with the entertainment served up by Bud and Michele. Thanks! Incredible!

Joan Garvey - Metairie, LA Zone 9

Fantastic shots, Bud, again!
I'm back home ...now walking with a cane...and enjoying visiting the older posts to 'catch up' with everyone's summer.
I was lucky to find and bring back some Crocosmia lucifer bulbs, plus some other things to try.

Bud,

You take the most fantastic photos. Thanks so much.

And I want to let you know that the migration has already started down here in Rockport. Very early to see so many birds this time of year. And hopefully we won't have a hurricane this year to cancel the Rockport Hummer/Bird Celebration.



Linda
Rockport Hummer Home
Rockport, TX Zone 9a

Hi, Bud,

You take the most beautiful photos~~always a pleasure to check out your threads, and of course, your 'bistro banter' is so fun!

So, now I am wondering if you are seeing an increase in hummers this week at your feeders? It sounds so from your opening post...

I counted five juvenals playing at our front window feeders this morning. This number is slightly lower than in past weeks and I'm feeling like our season is waning (here on this side of Cincy)... J.

Judy in Zone 6a
Cincinnati (Anderson Twp.)
Southwest Ohio

Very nice Bud. One comment, your blepharophylla (spelling?)appears to be buchananii.

Cool shots Bud, such a nice variety! ... I really like the looks of the flower on that Lochroma cyanea! Wonder if it would grow here in the PNW, hmmm...

Ruth
Everett, WA
Zone 8

Great photos, Bud. And, wonderful commentary as usual.

Jeff

nice

Bud I have to tell you that the first time I saw this post I was very low. A favorite aunt had just suffured her second heart attact in three months. I had been upset and crying for days knowing that all had been done had been done and now things are just in God's hands.

I came back again and again and looked at your pictures and captions. They brought such joy to me. Instead of finding a bottle of xanax I looked at your pictures and read the words. Thank you for helping me through some bad days. You had no idea.

I know this is off topic but you never know when something as simple as pictures can help somone get through one day after another. For now I have my emotions under control but I know where to come if the dark cloud starts covering me again.


Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Dianne, go to Bud's link http://www.pbase.com/budohio) and click on hummingbirds 2009. Look at the first bathing picture and all your troubles will fade away.

Joan Garvey - Metairie, LA Zone 9

Joan I am sure I saw the picture were talking about. I told a frined yesterday that all the tears I have had lately have washed my soul clean.

Dianne
Southeast Alabama
Heat Zone 8
Sunset Zone 31

Hi Bud,
Your photos are wonderful! Your sense of humor is right up there with your photos.Very funny and cute.Thanks!

Fran

Where did you get the lochroma cyanea in purple??Do you bring them indoors for winter?It looks like the hummers will go wild for it. I am interested in ordering online sometime.But I could not find one that carries them online.



eldon voorhees

Thanks to everyone for all of the very nice comments! We aim to please at The Bistro

Linda - Looking forward to your "wrap-up" of the 2009 festival! It was great visiting with you when I was down there 2 years ago and I hope to get back that way again... hopefully, when the hummers are there

Judy - there's consistently been 3-5 immature birds here for the past 3 weeks, although it seems a bit slower today with the cool weather.

Ward - thanks for the correction! My source for this plant has had it labeled as blepharophylla for the 3 years I've purchased it.. and I've never bothered to confirm the ID.

Ruth - I'm sure that it will. Patrick grows many of the brugmansia family plants and has posted a lionk somewhere of a west coast nursery that sells it in many varieties. Warning... it gets really, really big. Both the plant we have in a container and the one in the garden are about 7 feet tall... they're actually trees, I think Well worth the investment when the hummers are visiting

Diane - So sorry to hear of your aunt's troubles and I'm happy that this post brought a smile to your face during this time. We'll keep you and your family in our thoughts

Eldon - I purchased the plant from a local nursery. There will be many available on the internet in the spring. Because of its size, you should probably wait until spring to order. It might get too large to keep indoors for the winter. It grows very fast... our 7 footers were only 8 inches tall in April. Like many have said, it's not the best hummer plant out there, but it does get enough interest to make it worth putting in a container for the summer.

Bud
Southwest Ohio
USDA Plant Zone 6a

Camera: Pentax K20D
Lens: Pentax DA*300 f/4, Sigma 180 f/3.5 Macro
There's 1 or 2 more hummingbird / butterfly pics located here...
http://www.pbase.com/budohio