17 Aug 2006 10:58 PM

Fruits of early harvest

We don't have many edible garden plants in our yard, but we managed to save 1 filbert and 1 strawberry from the squirrels, and 4 apples from the deer. Also had 4 pea pods survive the predator pickings. Our best success has been the cucumbers and tomatoes that are just coming ripe right now. Also, we have a full load of grapes, but unfortunately too many moths with them. I feel infested by moths of all types, some quite pretty.

A new squirrel variety moved into the neighborhood -- it's called a chickaree and is known by his red belly, dark stripe on the side, gray back and white ring around his eye. He's much smaller than the more common gray squirrels. And he's noisy. He sits in the maple tree in our backyard and yells at us. At least he's cute. We've spotted the skunk several times, including one night when I made my husband get up to see who was walking around the house. No smell problems yet.

The hummingbirds look like they're loading up on sugar water for the trip south. They usually disappear about now. Also, lots of babies including a grosbeak and a pretty ugly baby house finch -- this was my first sighting of a baby one. Also have a flicker baby with really orange stripes on his side where his wings don't cover his red shafts.

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