When Quiz approached, Koko kept pulling on the fig, and began to growl most menacingly! Weirdo!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Koko Harvesting Figs
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.
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.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Frozen Bird Bath
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.
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
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.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Dinner Plate Dahlia
The first killing frost is just around the corner and in the meantime, the giant dahlias are just gorgeous. They are full of ants but I still am cutting them and bringing them in or putting them out on the deck. They are just wonderful to see at this time of year.
While I was in the garden a short while ago, on a very very windy afternoon, I saw down in a protected space and watched the bushtits and hummingbirds visit the Pineapple sage, the Hollyhocks and the Joseph's Coat rose...beautiful in spite of the icy wind.
I was going to plant my lettuces and swiss chard this afternoon when the winds die down, but just noticed that one of my oldest cats has an abcess in her mouth. Instead of working in the yard, I will be taking Samson to the Vet and probably having her put to sleep. She doesn't weigh more than a feather and I don't think she would withstand any invasive procedures. She is about 16 years old if not older.
While I was in the garden a short while ago, on a very very windy afternoon, I saw down in a protected space and watched the bushtits and hummingbirds visit the Pineapple sage, the Hollyhocks and the Joseph's Coat rose...beautiful in spite of the icy wind.
I was going to plant my lettuces and swiss chard this afternoon when the winds die down, but just noticed that one of my oldest cats has an abcess in her mouth. Instead of working in the yard, I will be taking Samson to the Vet and probably having her put to sleep. She doesn't weigh more than a feather and I don't think she would withstand any invasive procedures. She is about 16 years old if not older.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Still Life: Dahlias with Ants
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Rexfree_99 Pro User says:
Wanted to bring in some fall flowers, and cut some dahlias...got into the house and realized that they and me were crawling with ants. I plunged them into my favorite floating bowl that I picked up in Japan, and rushed them outside for an outdoor arrangement.
Living and gardening by the creek does have some drawbacks. The ants are just everywhere.
Rexfree_99 Pro User says:
Wanted to bring in some fall flowers, and cut some dahlias...got into the house and realized that they and me were crawling with ants. I plunged them into my favorite floating bowl that I picked up in Japan, and rushed them outside for an outdoor arrangement.
Living and gardening by the creek does have some drawbacks. The ants are just everywhere.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Turkey looking for a spot to roost
In the spring, we had a fairly large flock of turkeys, but by mid-summer, we were down to two, and now we have only one. Hopefully this one will be able to join up with another flock. It is roosting very near the oaks over the house, but I haven't spotted the place yet.
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