He is obviously enjoying himself very much and invited some of his friends over to join him as I began to upload his photos. If I want to gather any of the seeds for us I suppose I better get out there soon before it is too late.
I happen to have two types of sunflowers growing all about the garden this year and I did not plant a single one. I have the sunflower house to thank for directly sowing some of its seeds last year. I can also thank some of our feathered friends for scattering their bird seed mix about the garden and ensuring they will have fresh seeds to munch on this fall.
I love the surprises a garden can bring like self-sown sunflowers and Scrub Jays robbing them in the early morning hours!
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My dad has always loved attracting birds. In CA every spring he would disc long swaths behind the yard and have us kids throw out sunflower seeds. All those big heads would bloom and we’d watch the birds eat from them in the late summer and fall.
He did a lot of things to attract birds. It became a bird oasis and I’ve never heard so much birdsong as I did when I lived there. Nothing like it. I’d always sleep with the windows open and the cool morning air carried great choruses of songbirds as the sun rose.
No better way to start the day.
~Faith
The birds ate my sunflowers too, but I still have more than enough to save seeds. I have quite a few volunteers, I love seeing the variation. It’s a beautiful thing. Even amongst the seeds, there is a great variation.
Hi Cynthia~~ Jays are certainly opportunists, aren’t they? I’m not exactly sure why, but we’ve got what must be a very large family of jays and they’re constantly screeching at each other. It’s almost as bad as the neighbor’s perpetually yipping dog. LOL Your sunflowers are gorgeous!
That pesky thief. lol Great shots, I have to take mine quickly before Spaz (my terrier) gets curious.
Stop by I have a fun Meme for you.
My sunflower seed thief is dressed in yellow instead of blue, and goes by the name of goldfinch! Like you, I didn’t plant any sunflowers this year. But I’m amazed that any reseeded with the way they are devoured so quickly! Every time I go to remove a spent blossom, it’s always empty of seeds.
Ha! Those darn birds are so fast and sneaky! I haven’t seen the culprits stealing my seeds, but I’m sure they are birds! Love how you captured your thief on tape!
Oh I agree. Sunflowers are always nice surprises in our garden. And the goldfinches love them.
Those pics look pretty sharp to me! Did I miss something or did you get a new camera?! Wow! Love these photos and the macro ones above too. Hope you had a great summer, sorry I was pretty absent here and elsewhere in blogland. Too busy being Chief Cook & Bottle Washer plus the Entertainment Committee!!