Wind and rain, then wind and sun

The rain may be over now, though new clouds are smoking out of the North. The paper calls this breezy, but petals are whipping off the dogwoods and birds' feathers are sticking up. The feeder is very popular and the finches are battling over it. Two couples are not sharing. A handful of blackbirds landed on the post and set off a food fight. Meanwhile, a titmouse and a chickadee slipped in.

A sparrow and a squirrel fed on the ground. I think the new feeder hanger spills more seed, or else it is easier to find in the mulch. Or else I didn't realize how much seed was falling below the steps where I can't see the birds.

The sun is out now but the wind is roaring. A cardinal contested with the finches for the feeder.