Today there is flowering on the Red Maple.

Acer rubrum (Red Maple)

Acer rubrum (Red Maple)

Near the front sidewalk a lone hyacinth planted a decade ago is again working its way out into the open.

Hyacinthus orientalis (common hyacinth, garden hyacinth or Dutch hyacinth)

February has been wet. There may be freezing rain tomorrow morning and another wet weekend is forecast, but today the sky is deeply blue and the sunshine is warm enough for face and heart.

I am making progress mulching the garden, though the job has been slowed equally by the wetter, cooler weather and a healthier crop of weeds than I had expected.

Though many birds keep watch as I work, only the Carolina Chickadees are brave enough to attempt a move toward the feeder while I am in the garden. From the windows I have been watching them too. Flocks of American Robins have been around for several weeks. They teamed up with Red-winged Blackbirds and Cedar Waxwings on Monday to strip the neighbors’ holly berries and make merriment. Eastern Bluebirds are beautiful but fairly pushy at the feeders. Northern Cardinals are lovely too but seem much more patient. The Mourning Doves make me smile.