Finches and Pinches

Not much to report of late, as a matter of fact I've been a bit out of pocket recently.  At first it was because of the 4th of July holiday, then we had company in from out of town, then I was having computer issues, and within the last couple of weeks I have had a pinched nerve in my arm...which makes being on the computer difficult.

I have had it checked out and it turns out I have "golfer's elbow," which is kind of ironic since I don't golf!  And in all the years that I played competitive tennis, I never once developed tennis elbow, yet somehow I now have golfer's elbow...go figure!  Maybe I should take up the game and see if it makes my elbow/shoulder/upper arm better?!

With my arm out of commission I haven't been taking pictures, holding the camera is one of those things that seems to irritate it, but I did make an exception when a female Goldfinch decided it had to have an afternoon snack and landed on the Anise Hyssop plant on our patio.

A male often joins her on the plant, and they happily pluck the lavender flowers, which apparently are quite yummy.  If you look closely at the image above you will see that she has a blossom in her beak, and you can also see that many of the small lavender blooms that fill each stalk are missing.

The male is much brighter yellow, and a striking fellow I must say, but the plant is located not too far from our sliding door, so whenever I try and open it to take a shot they both hurry away as though they'e been caught red, or in this case purple, handed!

This is the first year I have tried to grow Hyssop, but it won't be the last.  I originally wanted the pink/coral variety, but the anise was all I could find in my area.  There seems to be some debate as to whether the variety I have is the same as the traditional European hyssop herb which is prized for its healing powers.  You can read more about anise hyssop HERE. 

Whatever healing powers it may or may not have doesn't seem to prevent the birds and bees from loving it.  The stalks are full to the brim all day long with bees, which seem a bit addicted to its flavor, or perhaps the magic it possesses.  And for now, the goldfinches seem quite content as well.

I will be away a bit longer as I try to let this arm of mine heal.  Wishing you all a very happy week ahead!