Fig Harvest continues

Fig Harvest continues
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

When Quiz approached, Koko kept pulling on the fig, and began to growl most menacingly! Weirdo!

Koko Harvesting Figs

Koko Harvesting Figs
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

Koko is the strangest dog. She has learned to recognize hanging fruit. She started with grapes within reach and was very agile in standing on her hind legs and nipping down the ripening grapes. She progressed to breaking off branches and taking the grapes away to eat at her leisure.
When I was pulling out the tomatoes, she turned her attention to those small globes...mostly she spat them out.
I didn't even think of the figs as I had offered her leftovers after I had my yard snack, almost daily this summer. When the dwarf Black Jack fig was hit by frost, a huge number of low hanging fruit was revealed. And that is when Koko moved into action. First she would sniff for the ripest fruit, then put the fruit in her mouth and pull it from the tree. I never actually saw her eat one, but she defended her find from all comers, especially Quiz who was curious about the ruckus.

Frozen Bird Bath

Frozen Bird Bath
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

This morning we had thick frost on my neighbors roof and the very top of my studio roof, but I didn't think there was any frost lower down...until I walked the yards and found that the metal bird baths had frozen! I was certainly surprised to find that and no damage to my more tender plants. I expected to see a black tomato bush and had even harvested the last of the green tomatoes yesterday, but the bush/vine is still fine today. But we are so close to that first killer frost.
I am going to spray my kumquat with Cloud Cover this afternoon...I think it is in a pretty protected space, but it is my only citrus that is outside so I want to make doubly sure it is safe.

Crepe Myrtle in Autumn

Crepe Myrtle in Autumn
Originally uploaded by Rexfree_99

In Lake County we don't often get such vivid fall colors but this year with the delay in the first major freeze, we are getting more showy colors on trees other than the Black Oaks. The Blue oaks are turning more golden this year before the leaves fall, the valley oaks are beautiful as well, but nothing can compare to this crepe myrtle in the new yard. I am so glad it is in the giant bush form. The only competition it has is the wild grapevine near by which is also quite beautiful.