Okay – so the chipmunks, which usually go down for the winter sometime in late October – are still running around out there.? We’ve had days below freezing, but not consecutive ones and not many.? So the chippers are still out and about.
The finches disappeared from the feeder for well over a week, but they seem to have returned – the thistle level is going down again.? Don’t know what that’s about at all.? They are usually pretty steady year around.
Otherwise, life is pretty normal in the back yard.? I’m always working to get the squirrels not to be so greedy, and to leave room and food for the beautiful cardinals.? If I’m awake at the very crack of dawn, and throw out the no mess mix early, they get to eat by themselves for 20 minutes or so.? The squirrels leave their nests later.
If I throw the seed out at night – either the huge raccoon (also still awake) or the equally huge possum will amble onto the patio and scarf it up.? So waking up early is best.
It’s a rainy few days, so I’m going to take advantage of that, and get some of the wet leaves off the grass and patio and onto the garden patch where I cleaned out the asparagus fronds last week.? When that’s covered up, the verggie garden will be all covered up and ready to sleep.? The herb garden still needs a little trimming and sprucing up.
Still growing – and perhaps all winter – is the parsley, sage, rosemary and… no, I don’t think there’s any thyme still thriving out there.? The fall crop of collard greens and kale is gorgeous and still growing.? Several winters, they’ve made it through the entire season and on into spring.
I sure do love my garden.