Wave Petunia Seedlings

Some of the petunias I grew from seed. These are wave petunias stretching towards the window. I think they want to live outside, but not yet. Nighttime temps are still bringing a little frost.

Uninvited Seedling

Look what was trying to crowd out a tomato seedling. Some pristine seed-starting soil, eh? I paid good money for it, too. This particular bag also grew mold in some of the seedling pots. I can't remember the name of the company that bagged the soil, but I remember what the bag looks like and never again will I buy it!

House Finch Makes an Appearance

Normally, this is house finch season around my yard. But this type of finch has been scarce this year - while goldfinches, pine siskins, house sparrows, red-wing blackbirds, yellow-headed blackbirds and Brewer's blackbirds have ruled the yard. This one's beak looks strange. I think it's just a piece of seed shell.

Pretty in Pink

This is a flowering tree of unknown origin. Possibly a fruit tree taught not to bear fruit. The blossom smell slightly sweet, the tree is a slow-grower.

New Yard Resident

These guys have been giving our yard a tropical flavor. They're common yellow-headed blackbirds. This is the first year I've ever seen them in our yard - and they can't be missed. They're loud, and big, and bright. We also have red wing blackbirds and Brewer's blackbirds hanging around.

Violets

Violets in bloom on the north side of the house. I bought a container of these violets a few years ago and just plopped the pot down in the front flower beds. The flowers naturally spread as a low-growing ground cover.

Pear Blossoms

The pear tree is blooming. There are a lot of ornamental pear trees in the neighborhood in bloom right now. Our pear is a real one. I don't know what kind of pears because we inherited the tree when we bought the house. They could be Bartlett. They're good, but they don't ripen on the vine. You have to pick them and then wait a couple of weeks.