A CLASSIC LESSON IN WORD OF MOUTH IN BUSINESS

Evidently, the word went out amongst our critter friends that there was going to be an Independence Day Buffet Special at our house. Yesterday late afternoon, we had for a brief time a large and unusual gathering of folks in the backyard. This year's progeny from the rabbit and fox squirrel families came together around the giving stone and feeder. The young rabs, who we haven't seen out together in some time, hung out in the grass by the hydrangeas. Eventually the larger of the two wandered under the pool deck and nosed around the callas for a time. All three of the squirrel siblings, Sky, Bhadra and their unnamed sister hung around the feeder. Meanwhile, all sorts of birds were flying up to the feeder and partaking the bath. Then, Sky and his sister took off on their circular chasing games-in front of the shed, over the berm, across the berm. Bhadra sat calmly eating sunflower seeds under the feeder. A young chipper dashed up from under the pool deck to join everyone. Folks seemed to be a tad wary and didn't linger hence the lack of photographic evidence. 

After this crowd had left, Squirrel Nutkin stopped by. Around 7pm, one of the Rockys visited for a snack. Later in the night, he and his bro brought down the feeder and baffle again. Sigh. I read where they do not like the odor of ammonia so I put a soaked rag under the baffle and sprayed the top surface. We'll see if this deters these guys who we think are the same young duo that hung out last summer. C named them Heckle and Jeckle-they were a bit of a pain. They got wayyyy too close in fact one walked up to C and stepped on her foot. He later decided that climbing the backdoor screen would be a load of fun.

The next morning, I am watering the tomatoes when I look up and see this:

Undeterred by a someone much larger, Mr. Red Bird came by and kept behind Tom and snacked. "Yeah, they're big but I am fast and everyone knows that they can't fly worth shit".