The warm wet spring brought back the early morning sounds of "whip-poor-will" heard from the porch as the sky lightens in the east.  This welcomed sound along with turkeys talking and coyotes yipping in the hills, haven't been heard since the first year we moved here.  Phoebes answer each others calls at sunrise and sunset.  It's fascinating how the weather changes even the migration of local animals.  With retirement, we've been able to observe and appreciate flora and fauna.  We've had numerous American goldfinch at the feeders throughout the winter this year and many still remain even now.  The mild winter brought more cardinals, chickadees, and titmice to our acreage  because of insects and seedlings under the decaying leaves.  The birds aren't spending much time eating now that they are busy looking at real estate to nest in.

male and female finch

a little confrontation here

The finch don't play well with others..........sometimes don't play well with their own.

chickadee and molting finch

 better shot of the molting process.....really fascinating

male finch with his new spring plumage

Female cardinal allowing female finch at the feeder. 

The spinach is beginning to break through the soil and of all the lavender I planted in seed starters, only one germinated.  Today I started the peppers over again because none of them even made an attempt to germinate.  Three of the broccoli plants in the garden were chewed right down to the ground last night.  Tonight I sprayed them with an insecticidal solution that contains hot pepper and garlic.  We'll see how that works.