This work is an exploration through digital manipulation of some motion clips I recorded in my garden of various plants, flowers, birds, and insects. Initially the material was shot with a digital still camera, then transferred into a computer editing system where the realistic imagery of birds, plants and flowers, were transformed into more abstract explorations of shapes, patterns, textures, colors, rhythms and sounds; in particular the continuous drone of the hummingbird. I limited myself to only a few motion clips (film sequences), which were stretched, squeezed, turned upside down, continuously repeated and otherwise distorted both in picture and sound…with playful intentions. As the project developed, a theme began to emerge. From obscure imagery to recognizable avian, the daily drama for survival of the hummingbird, is revealed.

The project title Monarda, refers to a red flower (also called Bee Balm), which is particularly attractive to the hummingbird for its nectar.