this, that, and the other
I feed songbirds. A side effect is that seeds are scattered throughout the yard, so sunflowers spring up all over. We let them grow, flower, and go to seed.
Today a gang of eight Blue Jays descended on the sunflowers. I was able to photograph this one from the kitchen.
One of the many sunflowers on our property.
We feed the birds, which means that they and the squirrels deposit sunflower seeds throughout the yard. The seeds sprout. Sunflowers grow. Seed eating birds glean the flower heads. The seeds they miss fall to the ground. The cycle renews, year after year.
A male House Finch visits our sunflower feeder. I keep at least one feeder up year round. With other food sources so plentiful at this time of year I don’t keep it constantly filled. I like to have them visit because I do enjoy hearing their song.
A male American Goldfinch.
Though the bird feeders’ perch is a little undersized for it, this male Common Grackle manages just fine.
. . . and a Pine Siskin.
A Downy Woodpecker perches on the sunflower feeder before hitching down and helping itself to some food.
