You're in my neighborhood, so how have you avoided bird damage to your sunflower? They tear mine UP something fierce and yours looks factory fresh, so to speak. I thought such stuff came with the territory...

Lucky for me I haven't had a problem with birds, at least none that I've noticed. The only problem that I had with mine was that something was eating holes near the bases of the leaves but it was nothing serious. I think if it was birds, there would be lots more damage.
I'm sorry to hear that the birds give you problems. Do you know if the birds attacking yours to get the seeds?

I have one that is probably 7.5 feet tall with a 2 inch thick "trunk". No bloom yet.
Freaky!
Wish I had ad the seeds to plant more. The lumber would make good trellises for spring.

Beautiful! Most years I plant sunflowers and love them (so fun to watch them turn to constantly face the sun). I didn't this year and now I'm regretting it, LOL. Yours looks great! Thanks for posting it, happy gardening!

I had one come up this year that was a hold over from last years planting it was from a mixed packet so don't know the exact variety but it must be queen type because it has thrown 25 to 30 blooms that are 6in or so across the plant itself is about 8ft tall.