August in Michigan is a time when we see hummingbirds regularly in our flower garden and at our feeders. They must be filling up for their long journey across the Gulf of Mexico where they will winter. Such a long trip for such a tiny bird! Our butterfly bush is in bloom now, and it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with it’s sweet aroma and beautiful purple color.  The red beebalm I planted attracts hummingbirds and it’s a beautiful addition to the garden. Like other perennials, it only blooms for a few weeks but it’s color  is spectacular! I’ve been wanting to do a watercolor painting of a hummingbird with red beebalm for a while, and I finally completed this one recently.