Bird a-birthing

I haven't shown you much of the gardens since we got back, but I couldn't help sharing these bird-of- paradise blooms aborning just inside the front fence.

They're about a foot long, and they should be in full flower by the time Ben and Ken get here later in the month for Fantasy Fest.

This year's fest will be a first for me: no glasses, so I'll be able to wear a proper mask. I'm taking covetous looks at a great black coq-feather creation we brought down with about a billion beads in the costume trunk, but I may celebrate with a splurge from Maskerville's John McBride.

One thing for sure: This won't be the only bird in outrageous plumage later this month.