Under the maple tree, just outside my kitchen window, there is so much baby bird open-beaked squawking, demanding wing flapping ... and when everybody jumps into the air, you know a chipmunk has charged through to a favourite feeder. Bird food is worth its weight in gold to me.
I suspect that something larger than a fat chipmunk is coming to the maple tree/bird feeders unseen after dark.
1) the 28oz capacity glass hummingbird feeder was completely emptied overnight - this would take come muscle to hold it upside down for the length of time it would take to empty (it had held a full level all day and was not leaking). Also, this would explain why one squirrel has been licking the sides for the nectar, would it not? He's back again trying for more BTW.
2) the tree hung bird bath/waterer was flipped, one of three chains was off and the pan was left hanging sideways, emptied and with a hole chewed in the bottom - this is not the chipmunks and squirrels work to be sure - they don't have the weight or strength.
3) the metal mesh (no chewing possible) sunflower seed feeder, with metal secured lid ... was lifted over tree branches where two lid locks were undone to access the seeds to clean them out completely.
4) the pups are telling me what their noses are telling them ... every morning. I always watch them to gather intelligence.
Sounds like the panda bandit to me. Racoon. I don't think the fisher is necessarily a nightime visitor and I suspect the clamshells left at the dock are more to his taste anyway. I will dig out the game cam and find out.
Food and critters ... makes life go 'round
Daisy-bite-itis has hit the Better Boy tomatoes ... caught her gnawing on three others - so the pole fence must be finished even though the heat is laying in here. In the heat, Dez refused breakfast day before yesterday but did take dinner - which didn't stay down. Sorry if overshare. It's hot here by our norms. Humidity is lowering and slight relief on way Thu with storm.
Sweet million and Roma haven`t caught Daisy`s attention just yet. The BB's must roll around in her mouth just right!
I`ve mentioned the deck here that will need a lot of work to get proper supports under (was built on skids from looking at it) and to get it properly levelled.
As a temporary fix for
this summer ... for shade on the west side where the deck is, I extended the old canvas (on last legs) overhead canopy, secured it with uprights, altered its level to shed water along the channel to the grass rather than onto the deck, ran cord for beans to climb. Also did a levelling adjustment to right one corner of the deck itself ... and attached a shelf to support scarlet runner pole beans that I have been growing for this. Eisman had suggested perennial wisteria, and I`ve researched hardy ones which would be beautiful - just need to learn if shallow soil on rock would be suitable. Also considering lilac and caragana ... whichever can thrive. Yes, the 'shelf' is a skid.
Now, beans ... start climbing ... let's see some leafy shade
Planters are going wild. Nasturtiums will start to bloom shortly. I actually like them placed here on the lawn where they are shaded from the hottest afternoon sun. Perhaps getting them up on some movable step/bench type of thing ... easy to make from pine perhaps. Sunflowers will be out soon as well al bee balm and hollyhocks. Dwarf bee balm blooming already.
Addendum: In keeping with homestead bent of turf garden ... lashed in pole supports for fencing needed as tomatoes ripen. Daisy fence of course, but I have learned something about her stealth thievery. Whenever I could not see her outside, I assumed she was raiding the veg garden and I would shoot up there to stop her ... I never once found her in the veg garden ... just found her gnawing on better boys. So, she's been hitting the container tomatoes on the deck where it was like hiding theft in plain sight - I had not suspected until I finally counted the emptied stems! Isn't that nice, Daisy is laying relaxed in the shade on the deck waiting to go inside, not stealing from the veg garden. Yah, right. Dog 3, person 0. 0 but wiser