Bird of a different color or two

This one, on the Clarks' side of the driveway, started doing its thing just before Ben and Ken got here -- and it's still lovely two weeks later.

I'm fascinated by the contrasting intensities and gentlenesses of color, and of course by the shapes. Art Deco can eat its heart out.

I'm also fascinated by the birds around here in general. For the first time in many years I can actually see them in good detail, from the hummingbird perching in the deadwood on our sapodilla to the little yellow-breasted warblers that seem to think of our palm trees as home and the squadrons of pigeons that make wide arrows against the dawn sky.

Such a blessing actually to see.