The temperature rose to nearly 70 degrees in central Connecticut today, which is most unusual for December 24th. Late this afternoon I walked around our back yard and was surprised to find a Black-Eyed Susan and a Purple Violet in bloom. Both flowers looked like they had been chewed on, likely by some bug that also shouldn’t be out at this time of year.

The Downy Woodpeckers kept to their routine as the afternoon light waned.