Open Days/Times for Next Week
monday july 25 pm only (i.e. 3-5)
tuesday july 26 am (10-12.30) and pm
wednesday july 27 am and pm
thursday july 28 am only
I plan to open next weekend for a half-day, TBA.
How to Visit
PLEASE ONLY REQUEST APPOINTMENTS FOR A SPECIFIC, CURRENTLY POSTED, DATE AND TIME (AM OR PM). I CANNOT ANSWER EMAILS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE THESE ESSENTIAL DETAILS! PLENTY OF MORE DATES WILL BE POSTED, BUT YOU MUST WAIT AND CHOOSE A SPECIFIC, ANNOUNCED, DATE/TIME. DO NOT ASK FOR RANDOM FUTURE DATES. THANKS!
We will be opening 3 1/2 days a week until sept 15. However, the exact future dates we will open have not yet been decided (depends partly on weather). Please do not request an appointment for days other than those announced at this blog (see above). Requests for undefined not-yet-posted dates will be ignored: I simply cannot keep track of your requests, you have to keep track of my available dates as they are posted (typically a few days ahead). If you want a date in, say, mid-august (eg aug 15) please wait until (and if) that date is posted (probably some time around aug 10-12). Taking reservations on a rolling, as available, basis works best for me (e.g. allows for weather, unforeseen circumstances etc), makes it more likely you will actually show for your appointment (no-shows reduce the limited visiting opportunities for others). Email me (paul.adams%stonybrook.edu) which of the available (i.e. posted) "slots" (dates and times; visits are either 10-12.30 or 3-5) you want to come, mentioning if you have visited before, and the expected number in your one car. I'll send you an email with directions and instructions, which you should read carefully. If you feel you can conform with these instructions, I'll then send a confirmation of your appointed visit, with the necessary liability waiver form, which you must sign and bring with you.
Please don't ask for a future date, or ask me to pick a date - it just gets too complicated. Once the quota for each "slot" is filled, I'll immediately remove the posting - so, just before you email me, check for the current available dates/times. This is the system I used the last 2 years, and once you get the hang of it, it's a cinch: just wait for the date/time (am/pm) you want then email me.
The only exception to this is for my personal friends, who, unlike the general public, are not subject to the quotas imposed by the recent lawsuit settlement (of which I'll be writing more soon). If the currently posted dates do not suit you, please wait for suitable dates to be posted - plenty more to come.
Report on Initial Opening
Our initial opening was a success, despite the relatively low activity at this time of year. Fred, the resident adult male, was in evidence, as well as an adult female and a juvenile. At one point all 3 were chasing each other, but I think Fred is now re-asserting his dominance. Quite a few visits initially to the "Lucifer" crocosmia (see the videos above and below) but now I think the female/juveniles (difficult to tell apart) are preferring the salvias - the rosebud salvias ("Bethelllii") are just strating to bloom and soon the Lucifers and the Hyperion Daylilies, which are currently spectacular, will be over.
Here is some of the chasing, and also the "pendulum" dance, which is used both for aggression (as probably in this case) and courtship.
Plans
The Baiting Hollow Hummingbird Sanctuary opened early this year (july 20 - 22 and the morning july 23, as a result of the recent settlement of the lawsuit. The plaintiffs (I cannot write "neighbors" because now only one of them actually lives here, and only part-time) wanted me to open less frequently but over a longer time period (they might not have even realized that we used to only open in august!). So we are opening only 3 1/2 days per week, but over a longer period (july 20 - sept 15). Unfortunately we will be open only this summer and next. After 2017 only my personal friends can visit me (which I hope they will!). However, I'm working to allow at least part of the existing sanctuary to open to the public under completely different ownership and management. A result of the lawsuit has been that I realize that any such arrangement must be done with excellent, and potentially expensive, legal counsel. I will soon be announcing ways all the wonderful friends of the sanctuary can contribute to this process. Stay tuned!
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