Crocosmia and clematis

These are my favorite summer flowers - crocosmia. I love them before they bloom - there's something almost prehistoric about them. And after they bloom, they are these vibrant red and yellow, and in our courtyard they reside in front of the deep purple clematis. It's a sight for sore eyes! Crocosmia are becoming quite popular in our neighborhood. They're related to gladioli.

For those of you who were following the saga of the bushtits, the nest is behind the purple clematis, completely hidden now. I'm not sure if there's another family brooding in there or not, it's been awfully quiet.