Harbingers of spring

Thursday I spotted a redwing blackbird at the sunflower seed feeder. They normally avoid the feeders except in spring when pickings are slim. They are much better signs of spring than robins. Ditto vultures and crows, both of which are back.

(Not a very good photo, as I had to use my camera phone from inside.)

The Home and Garden Show is in progress; we went on Thursday. I purchased another piece of metalwork that I may hang on the front porch, after shifting the current fair weather piece to the back fence. It is time to remove the (plastic) winter wreath, before the sparrows start nesting in it.

I also purchased some seeds at the show: Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Giant Zinnia Mix (Zinnia elegans), Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia speciosa), and Black Hollyhock (Alcea rosea nigra), from a company called Circa Seeds. The black eyed Susan needs to go in the ground NOW, as a cold period is necessary for germination. I was going to buy plants, but seeds are cheaper and easier than hunting down this particular variety. I like giant zinnia because they grow three feet tall. Mexican sunflower is on my list, as it is very attractive to pollinators. And the black hollyhock (which won't bloom until next year) will be for dyeing yarn.

The fact that there were no native plant nurseries at the show was disappointing, but perhaps not unexpected. I'm sure booth rental is expensive.

Fall clean-up continues. Most of the frontyard looks clean(er). The forecast for the next week looks like lots of rain, so I'm not sure how much will get done then.