Critters, Garden, Village Life
Spring Garden Walk Day 2
When I was a child, we lived near an old estate that had been abandoned decades earlier. The grounds had reverted to woodland and meadows, and in the spring daffodils sprung up everywhere, signaling the start of spring.
I’ve kept since then my love of daffodils, with all their subtle variations. This beauty has a deep yellow trumpet that is flatter than most - and the bumblebees love it.
The contrast on this variety of daffodil between the white petals and its golden-orange edged yellow trumpet is one of my favorite daffodil color combinations. These daffies are a tad smaller than their cousins above, but very long lasting.
This clump of daffodils has a pale yellow and white mottling that I’ve never seen on any other daffodil. They also have a sweet fragrance that is wonderful.
I enjoy these white daffodils long after the other daffies have faded and gone. They bloom later than most, and have a strong but sweet fragrance that carries across the yard.
I know that spring has firmly established a hold when the chipmunks surface from their hibernation. I’ve been watching especially for this particular chipmunk to appear, as she’s a scrappy little fighter with a cheeky attitude. “Stumpy” lost half of her tail two years ago, while escaping from a predator.
The missing tail hasn’t slowed Stumpy down a bit - or toned down her ‘tude one iota. I laugh every time she charges into the mourning doves (that are twice her size) that gather under the feeders and bowls them over to keep them from eating ‘her’ seeds!
More to come…
19 May 2008 JAS
I know they are horribly destructive, but I adore the Chipmunks. We didn’t have any for years - neighbors with multiple cats. But those people moved away in 2000 and so far there is only one cat in our area and he’s more the “sit and watch” variety.
It took 5 years but we finally started getting Chippies in 2005. Haven’t identified any repeat customers like you have, but I’m sure they are. So adorable and I believe they all have the same rather cheeky attitude.
The daffs are gorgeous. They are the only bulb-flower we can grow; if the moles don’t eat the bulbs of everything else, the deer get the buds before they open. No hyacinth (my fave), no tulips. Just daffs.
A wildlife biologist buddy who studies chippies told us that they are very territorial, and unlike your squirrels will return to their territory even when moved long distances. Several years ago we had to ‘relocate’ a chipmunk we called Tarzan - he would climb up into the trees and swing down from the branches to get into the feeders. He also persisted in digging under the concrete porch foundations, even when we put a hardware cloth barrier in place. So… we asked how far we had to move him. The answer was “at least 20 miles, and try to put at least two major highways and a river between you and his new home. And hope he doesn’t own a kayak…”
I can grow tulips - but they must be caged against Stewart and his clan, so I have very few tulip patches. Why fight it when daffies are so wonderful?
I’ve read today that southern squirrels have a great sense of direction. Even a 5 mile relocation and a sprayed butt - they return.