Lord of the whirligigs. Some tree makes these annoying seeds in little helicopters. But the Nutkinses eat some of them, with great ornamental style, for which I thank them.
Sometimes I forget that the squirrels and birds aren’t just winter’s great showfolks. They hold their own against spring verdure and the impending fruit and flowers. A few days ago I noticed a cardinal had built her nursery at the top of a New Dawn rose attached to a wall, and with the windows cracked the bird songs feel a little like a bit of classical music (particularly a segment of the 2nd movement of Tchaikovsky’s 4th symphony).
While Mrs. Cardinal was taking care of business, her male friend Don Cardinalli was getting into some dense Jaune Desprez and Marchessa Boccella growth, picking a fight at the bluebird’s doorstep. It wasn’t so musical.
On a smaller scale, the 4,000 or so lady bugs that just came in the mail for aphid control are amusing, only if you don’t watch too close. While their services are appreciated, many of them took the opportunity to dine on excessive aphids as an invitation to other things.
Ladybugs that think the garden is their own private sphere.
Then there are some of the uptight squirrels who insist on privacy while they tear apart some tough grub.
Don’t tase me bro! Just taking a photo for my blog!
But my favorite is still Umberto Nutkins. Here he is napping. In another post he tears apart a Christmas gingerbread village. His favorite things are dried corn, sugar, and Beethoven (squirrels like Beethoven, dogs like Vivaldi). The guy knows how to keep it real.
One of my good bros from the Nutkins clan cat napping on part of the deck warmed by afternoon sun. I like to think he was listening to Beethoven’s 4th and 7th from inside.
A Practical Pleasure Garden 