I spotted a sunflower hidden among the Russian sage in our backyard a couple weeks ago. A bird almost certainly dropped the seed and our rainy July weather has probably helped it along.

And instead of dispatching it, like I might with a weed or elm sucker, I figured why not just watch things play out?

I’m glad I did. The first of its buds opened earlier this week, a brilliant splash of yellow against a sea of blue.

So here’s to happy accidents, both floral and faunal. You couldn’t have one without the other.