The firethorn berries have popped into color the last few days, and a passing mockingbird stopped by this morning to check out the progress. After tasting a few, he proclaimed "ALMOST READY" in a gregarious burst of musical virtuosity. Pleased with himself, and rightfully so, he flew off on his rounds, leaving me to guard the pantry. He'll be back tomorrow.
In other news, the sun came up this morning exactly on schedule, and the dew harvest was quite abundant.
In other words, my darlings, the universe continues to unfold exactly as it should.
Have a wonderful day.
Monday Update - The color is a little deeper this morning. The mockingbird landed about 4' from me, tasted a few berries... like a vintner checking his vines as the harvest nears... then flew off. It's a beautiful, perfect morning.
* * *
Tuesday Update - Only 2 days later the color is much deeper and the berries are larger. Interesting note, this is the center of three identical clusters of Firethorn, about 8' apart. The one on the right has yellow berries today, almost no orange. The one on the left has small green berries only. This one, the one in the center, is almost ripe. Same sun, same dirt, same water... but three different outcomes.
And my little friend the mockingbird returned as I was standing there, just slightly out of arm's reach, and tasted quite a few, declaring them "Good Enough!" Yep, that berry you see in the picture disappeared down his throat about a second later.
* * *
Thursday Update - Some of the berries are almost red now, but they have a mysterious habit of disappearing quickly. Now there are two mockers working the territory, so I will have to ask them what they know about it.
The grackles are disgruntled about the pyracantha. Their bodies are too big and heavy to navigate the thorns, so they are left to scrounge around on the ground for any fallen treasure, which is pretty slim pickings. The mockers are very adept at selecting the berry they want from a cluster, extracting it at the tip of their tweezer-like bill, then tossing their head back so the berry goes right down their throat. Reminds me of someone tossing popcorn and catching it in their mouth.
This mockingbird is singing in triumph, having just bested the other in a dazzling aerial dog fight for territorial rights to this bush. He's huddled up against the morning chill, but his throat feathers ruffle out as he sings. Perhaps a little too cocky, though, he next picked a particularly choice berry, but dropped it. The ever watchful grackles waited until he left to swoop in and quarrel over the fallen breakfast.
Uh oh, now there are three mockingbirds vying for the same bush. I think it's going to be a busy day.
Love,
David
Photos and text © 2010 David Kinne
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Comments
Yes, indeed, the universe is unfolding as it should. Thank you for a beautiful GNS. ~R
I had not idea what these berries were called.
Rated with hugs after a long time being frustrated with these spammers slowing down the site.:)
Reminds me of a story my brother told me about the coqui frogs on the Big Island. They are an invasive pest, accidently introduced from Puerto Rico a dozen years ago, and now spreading far and wide through the underbrush. They are a tiny little frog, about the size of a quarter, but their call is as loud as a lawnmower. And wherever a bunch of them congregate, they make quite a racket.
Seems that a guest at the Four Seasons resort called down to the front desk and said "The tropical frog sounds were fine during dinner, but could you please turn them down now so we can get some sleep?" :)
Thanks for this.
Rated with love