The Great Storm of Ought ‘16 knocked down more than 60 pears out of my Bosc tree. I was astounded the tree yielded so many pears. Just a couple of years earlier, after the arborovitae near it had been cleared, it produced just a single pear. We’d planted several flowering plants recently to attract bees, and they must have super-pollenated the Bosc.
I picked up the damaged pears to remove food sources for coons and skunks, and pocketed several of the better pear specimens for cooking; I will probably poach a few in red wine, or bake a pear pie.
While I washed the chosen pears in the kitchen, I saw that a heron was intently fishing in my backyard pond.
The Backyard Science group features The Daily Bucket. You may lose, and you may win, but we’ll never ride this cycle of life again. Please let us know what goes on around you in a comment, or even write your own Bucket! Your weather, what birdies are at the feeder, a pretty rock along your favorite trail, how big that syzygy moon looked, and more, are all fine topics. Please include the general area where you are located. Each note records a reference for the future, as we try to understand the bounties before us.
It paced back and forth at the pond’s edge, staring at the water, its neck extending and contracting.
I had to let my arms hang down and rest, just for a second, and of course SPLASH!! The heron nabs a big fish.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
Anything hopping or lurking in your back yard? What have you noted in your area or travels? As usual, please post your observations and the general location in your comments. I’ll respond during the afternoon, in between working on an endless list of garden chores.
"Spotlight on Green News & Views" will be posted every Saturday at 5pm Pacific Time and every Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.