Among life’s most magical moments is when you stand quietly in your garden and a hummingbird hovers less than a foot away in front of your face, seemingly taking you in and letting you do the same.

It’s not exactly interspecies communion, but it can feel like communication of some kind. Especially when it happens more than once. Which it can if you have hummingbirds visiting daily because you’ve created a space that welcomes and nourishes them. You don’t need anything more than a balcony to do this if you know what components are necessary and are willing to commit to doing some regular tasks. I spoke to several experts to learn all the ins and outs—from feeders and feeding to the best native plants—and am sharing their expertise in my new story for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Home and Garden section. This is my latest passion project and maybe it can be yours!

Thanks to Luke Johnson for his stunning photos!