Balmy and still

Finally there is no wind, just "light airs." The pinxter flower (native deciduous azalea) has been blooming for several days. Some of the roses are blooming, especially the singles and the ones that come up from root stock on the hybrids. And the pecan has put out its long bud strings - its flowers are just like the oak.

I saw a red admiral pursued by a much smaller orange insect. I don't know if it was trying to drive off the butterfly or attack it, but its moves were exactly like a basketball guard. Both the black and the tiger swallowtails are busy depositing eggs.

Also being harassed was an osprey which reacted by flying higher and higher. An early jay sat on the post. Later the molting male house finch perched there before going off to drink from the pool cover. The male cardinal had the same idea. Only the chickadee was bold enough to hit the feeder with me sitting there.