Spring forward

Every year I hope that someone somewhere manages to do away with Daylight Savings Time. It doesn't "save" any "time". It just annoys us all. Pick one and stick with it!

Meanwhile, spring is creeping into the yard. Today I spotted these snowdrops. Some of the "Tommies" (Crocus tommassinianus 'Roseus') are up as well.

I have a "new" camera, a SLR one that I am struggling a bit with. I prefer to use the autofocus feature, but it keeps focusing on the wrong thing. I guess I will have to step up and learn how to focus it manually.

This past week I sowed the rudbeckia seeds directly in the ground, as they need to be exposed to cold to germinate. The forecast shows the temperatures all over the place, so I am hopeful.

The latest piece of metal yard art (or fence art?) is up. I love it, but may move it to the side of the shed.

The other day a landscape guy stopped by to see if he could talk me into having my trees trimmed. My trees are not that big, not even the 35+ year old "Crimson King" maple in the front yard (the slowest growing tree in the world). I can't imagine hiring someone to cut off a lower limb or two that threaten my noggin while mowing. He left his card, which I later noticed included mosquito control as a service. The last guy who came to the door offering *that* got an earful from me. No wonder the bird population is declining so fast.

Power up

I was lying on the couch when I heard something beep, something chime, and something roar. Since I had a cat in my lap, I didn't want to get up to check on the noises. It turns out there was a brief power outage. It lasted less than a minute, but the whole house generator I had installed this past summer kicked in like it is supposed to. (That was the roar; the other noises were devices coming back online.) So at least it works.

The weather has been barely tolerable for dog walking, which means it brings the backyard birds. These photos aren't very good, but they document some of the most recent visitors.

Junco

Robin

House finch

Nuthatch

The appearance of this guy was a bit confusing at first, as I thought it was my cat Finn... but wasn't Finn inside? Yes, he was. I think this feline belongs to some new neighbors that live about a block away. Finn isn't very interested in birds, but this one was in stalking mode.

Not Finn

I'm still working on my outdoor xmas decor. The flamingo chorus is up, with a solar-powered spotlight this year. The fall wreath on the front porch is now an evergreen one (plastic - it will outlast us all). All that is left is a net of lights for the trellis.