Backyard Beauties
With the Columbia Gorge Art Festival behind me, my thoughts are turning to the yard. In fact, I spent all day Saturday working in the yard, and part of Sunday. Attendance at the show seemed low, and I’m betting that’s one reason… the first gorgeous weekend in a while, and people were chomping at the bit to get things done in their yards. Bob and I went to Farmington Gardens and came home loaded with bedding plants for the vegetable gardens and flower beds. Most of them are now in the ground, but I suspect there will be one or two more trips to the local nurseries before we’re done!
We have two new visitors to the backyard! A pair of blackheaded grosbeaks have been stopping by the last few days to partake of the birdie buffet at Chez Zorko. 
Here is a picture of the male, chewing on a sunflower seed from the tube feeder. They really like those sunflower seeds! With their brilliant colors and large beaks, they look almost tropical!
We also have another type of grosbeak that frequents this feeder, and they seem to be taking turns with the new blackheaded visitors — it’s pretty funny.
Below is a picture of the female. While beautiful, she’s not quite as striking as the male. Nature is funny that way… in most cases the male is more beautiful than the female. Except in the case of humans. ;-)
In other birdie news, we have a pair of nesting chickadees who have taken up residence in the beach house… a birdhouse we bought a few years ago on our first anniversary trip to Cannon Beach. The house is make from a big piece of driftwood. The chickadees seem to like the house and are preparing for their new arrivals. It’s fun to watch them going in and out. Too cute!
