From June through August, Ventura Botanical Gardens transforms into a colorful, hummingbird-inspired experience for Summer Hummerz. After seeing it in person, I can only say, what an amazing transformation.
Gorgeously designed hummingbird heads appear throughout the Gardens, each featuring educational videos about specific species and trivia questions that invite visitors to learn more. Artist-created hummingbirds also fill the landscape with color, creativity, and joy. Together, these displays turn a walk through the Gardens into a celebration of hummingbirds, art, education, and conservation.
Thank You, Ventura Botanical Gardens
I am incredibly grateful to the Ventura Botanical Gardens team for welcoming me and making my book-signing experience so pleasant.
A special thank-you to Joe, Barbara, Will, Shana, Linda, Beth, Chris, Neal and Kirby for your kindness, support, and help throughout the event. I also want to thank all the wonderful volunteers I met throughout the weekend whose names I may not have caught. Your warm welcome, enthusiasm, and willingness to help made the experience even more enjoyable and memorable.
You all made me feel at home, and I truly appreciated everything you did to make the weekend such a success.
Thank You to Everyone Who Visited
Thank you to every visitor who stopped to spend time with me, talk about hummingbirds, and learn more about the conservation challenges these remarkable birds face.
I was especially touched by those who drove specifically to meet me. It was both a pleasure and an honor to meet each and every one of you, hear your stories, answer your questions, and share the work behind Endangered Hummingbirds: Seeing the Crisis Through My Lens.
Thank you also to everyone who supported these conservation efforts by purchasing a copy of my book, an enamel hummingbird pin, or a hummingbird note card. Your contribution does not go unnoticed. Every purchase helps me continue sharing these stories, supporting conservation, and bringing greater attention to hummingbird species at risk.
Ventura Gardens Are Making a Difference
I cannot express how heartwarming it was to hear how many people throughout Ventura are creating gardens that support hummingbirds.
By planting nectar-rich flowers, maintaining safe outdoor spaces, and responsibly providing feeders, you are helping support not only California’s local hummingbird species, but also migratory visitors such as the Rufous Hummingbird.
The Rufous Hummingbird is considered a Near Threatened species, making these gardens especially important during its long migration. Hearing how many of you are already doing your part gave me a great deal of hope.
Your garden does not need to be large to make a difference. Every flower, feeder, and safe resting place can become part of a much larger conservation network.
Take the Next Step
I encourage everyone who is already creating a hummingbird-friendly space to take the next step and certify their garden through the International Hummingbird Society’s Certified Hummingbird Haven program.
Certification recognizes the work you are already doing while helping build greater awareness of the importance of providing food, shelter, water, and safe habitat for hummingbirds.
Learn more and certify your garden:
https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/certified-garden
Celebrating Hummingbird Diversity Through Photography
It was also an honor to have my photography included as part of Summer Hummerz.
Ventura Botanical Gardens and I collaborated to explore hummingbird conservation and the extraordinary diversity found throughout the hummingbird family. My photographs helped highlight the remarkable differences in their shapes, colors, and sizes, from tiny species weighing only a few grams to larger hummingbirds with dramatically different bills, tails, feathers, and adaptations.
These images remind us that hummingbirds are far more diverse than many people realize. Each species has its own story, habitat, behavior, and conservation needs.
Seeing my photography incorporated into this imaginative and educational experience was incredibly meaningful. I am grateful to Ventura Botanical Gardens for helping share these hummingbirds and their stories with a wider audience.
Thank you again to everyone who helped make this weekend so memorable. I left Ventura feeling encouraged, inspired, and deeply grateful for the people who care about hummingbirds and are actively working to protect them.
Please enjoy the photos below from this wonderful Summer Hummerz experience.
Event Details
Event: Book signing for Endangered Hummingbirds: Seeing the Crisis Through My Lens
Location: Ventura Botanical Gardens, Ventura, California
Exhibit: Summer Hummerz
Exhibit dates: June 2 through August 31
Signing times: Friday, July 24, 10:00 AM–12:00 noon; Saturday, July 25, 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
Also available: Cards and enamel lapel pins
Can’t make the event, you can order your copy of the book in our shop!