Sunshine Sunflower

Day 313: Every year, my birdies grow a few of their own sunflowers. I never know exactly what to expect. Sometimes they're tall, sometimes short, sometimes large-flowered, sometimes almost as small as daisies. This one is about two feet tall with a 5" flower, and already the goldfinches are checking to see if the seeds are big enough to eat. They like them when they're small and soft, easy to open and still green. I support the stems when I can, driving stakes into the ground and wrapping them loosely with velcro tape, doing my best to help my avian farmers with their homegrown crop. Sometimes a heavy Steller's Jay takes a fancy for a sunflower seed snack and latches onto the flower, tipping it face down toward the ground as the bird enjoys upside-down dining.