The pecan trees
have been dropping green nuts for several weeks now. Big ones. You
can see how big they are.
The trees
themselves though are still loaded with pecans. This is a far cry
from last year during the drought when they started dropping immature
fruit when they were only 1/2” long and continued to drop as they
grew.
Then the
squirrels, bless their little rodent hearts, were so desperate for
food and moisture that they started picking and chewing on what was
left of the green fruit until there was not a single nut still left
on any of the trees.
It proved to be
a bit of a respite for me since when the pecans start to mature and
fall, I spend several hours a day picking them up and shelling them.
This year
though, I can see I will have my work cut out for me.
This isn't the
only difference between this summer and last. We suffered triple
digits for three months and no rain for many more than that last
year. So far, I don't think we have had a single triple digit day
and it doesn't look like we'll get any this month either,
traditionally our hottest month of the year.
Another
difference between this year, now that the rain has returned, and
last year's drought is that the bird baths are not seeing nearly as
many visitors. Being the only water source around, we had a constant
parade of birds small and large. The red shouldered hawk that lives
in the area visited regularly as well as a group of crows that
entertained us daily.
I sort of miss
the crows even though they monopolized the bird bath in the front.
I don't,
however, miss triple digits and no rain.
I hadn't expected to like a post dealing with large nuts, but i did. :-P
ReplyDeleteI've forwarded this to my sister who lives in Kansas City. The drought there has been devastating - like yours last year. May the rains come to the midwest!
ReplyDeletewe've had quite a few triple digit days here - but 'normal' - nothing like last year's hell! this morning it was 69 degrees! in august! in texas! :)
ReplyDeleteyou've got lots of pecans, there!
It is so perfectly beautiful today. It makes those >100 days seem so far away, but I fear they will return with a vengeance before fall arrives.
ReplyDeleteExactly the same here.
ReplyDeleteWe finally had a really good rain this week - our grass might actually turn green before fall. AND it's 74 degrees right now - I'm sitting outside with the laptop. Heaven!
ReplyDeleteThe nuts are a lot of work but sure good. i have worn my thumbs ragged a lot.
ReplyDeleteLOVELY nuts! Such a gorgeous tree. It is 59 degrees here- lots of rain as usual.
ReplyDeleteI remember last year... you having to pick the sickly fruit from the ground. I also remember the pictures of the yard... glad things are better now. Around here, on the other hand, things are sizzling, so much that most of my plants are dying *sigh* I brought some into the house, but the rest might not make it ;-(
ReplyDeleteHow cool, to have pecans in your yard! That seems like such a luxury!
ReplyDeleteLook at all those pecans!! Wowzers!! You are going to be busy for sure.
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
It's been a lousy summer here - months and months of endless rain, flooding etc but at least the hose pipe has been lifted.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the nuts - all my garden is producing is potatoes, I dug up another 10lbs yesterday.
Yes, triple digits are way toooo hot. But watching how the heat impacts the landscape along with dealing with the results would squeeze my heart a little. When nature struggles to survive it reminds me of how fragile we are. And yes, a year can make a huge difference. Why does it not feel so when the world is burning to the touch?
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief to have a normal summer. I remember how disturbing the drought was last year.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your drought is over. Coming from high mountain desert myself, drought strikes fear in my heart. We have had a mixed bag this year. Here in the mountains it has been cool until the last month. We don't have air conditioning at this altitude, not many do, however closing the house after the early morning cool until around 5:00 has been the custom this last week.
ReplyDeleteI love that you have bird baths!