Hummingbird perched on waterfeature
Throughout the year I’m blessed with hummingbirds in my garden. In the winter they feast on Garrya elliptica, Flowering Winter Currant and Witch Hazel. In fall they sip at Monkshood, Hardy Fuchsia and Pineapple Sage. In spring they snap up aphids and sip nectar from a smorgasborg of annuals and perennials. And in summer the bountiful feast includes Hot Lips Salvia, Penstemon, Bee Balm, Cleome and much more. Plus, in the height of summer these marvelous creatures visit my garden to sip from and bathe in the flowing water in my waterfeature’s bamboo spigot.
Hummingbird hovering over Waterfeature
Anyone familiar with hummingbirds knows they’ll hover and toy with you, appearing whenever you are without a camera in the garden. They’ll watch you, buzz you and chirp away if they are accustomed to sharing the garden with you. If they aren’t accustomed to you, they may buzz and dive at you in a not-so-nice “get out of my territory” way.
Hummingbird washing in stream
Over the last several weeks my resident hummingbird has been in the garden feeding away. He seems to visit mostly in the morning and just before dusk, or maybe that’s just when I tend to see him out there. And, during several mornings I have found him sipping at the bamboo spigot. He is very accustomed to sharing the garden with me, and I swear we talk to each other. He chirps. I say, “good morning beautiful.” Today as he took his morning bath, he posed for the camera. Usually, he’s quite shy, but as you can see, he wasn’t this morning.
So, to those who would like us to believe that “…these water features serve no functional or practical purpose, their water use is not considered efficient.” (section 4.1.4). I propose they are functional and practical in ways beyond human purpose.
If you would like to comment back to the EPA on their suggestion in the Watersense program draft that waterfeatures are functionless and impractical, the comment period has been extended once again to September 4, 2008.
If you’re interested in building your own small water feature, check out a couple of installation diaries:
- Installing a bamboo spigot potted patio water feature (like my hummingbird’s)
- Installing a deer scarer water feature
They provide a noise break in city areas where traffic noise is bothersome. They provide meditation points in the garden. In my own garden, 
