TUSCUMBIA-As I creak and crackle out of bed each morning, I wonder what new bloom 
surprises the day will bring. I make a cup of coffee and take it and my breakfast and sit out on my screen porch reading and watching the hummingbirds attack the feeders and each other. It’s so good to see them back. After the second cup of coffee, I grab my camera and head out to the garden to see what new surprises are in bloom. But first I have to run the gantlet of cold hooligan noses. Each day brings a bloom to life that had not given a hint that it was near showing its splendor the evening before.
Today I find a few new tall bearded, Dutch, Siberian, and intermediate iris and clematis Nelly Moser showing their glory. A lilac called F K Smith, a double dogwood Cornus Eternal and a variegated dogwood First Lady are blooming. A few new colors in Gerbera daisy that I couldn’t resist are brightening up spots that day lilies will take over later. A few late-blooming daffodils and spring bulbs are dispersed here and there and peaking up through the weeds.
The birds are hitting the feeders fattening up for the time they sit on the nest. A dove comes to the bird bath while I’m trying to get a picture of the blue birds nesting in the box by the bird bath and watches Blackie walk by the bath and doesn’t seem perturbed. I slowly creep toward it all the way clicking away until I get within a few feet before flying away to a nearby tree and to continue its mournful call.
Tonight severe storms are expected. Tomorrow today’s blooms will be shredded and I’ll be sad. But it is spring and the next morning will bring a passel of new bloom.
