A Ring of Dandelion Clocks

I followed the dry flagstone line... until it ended beside the hollow stone base of the birdbath. Nestled in a cool dip in the grass, three fluffy dandelion seed heads were standing shoulder to shoulder. I paused for three slow breaths... watching their delicate white globes in the midday calm. They didn't drift. Very carefully, I extended one plush brown paw and nudged a dried wooden garden marker lying on the dirt. I steered the stick until it made a little curved fence behind the pale globes, shielding their airy crowns from any stray drafts.