The sweet apples on our most prolific tree start falling in September and from that time on Morris is scarfing up at least a dozen apples a day.. He eats them seeds, core, stem and all... At about 60 calories an apple Morris is starting to resemble a pot-bellied pig... I took this photo just before the big snow when we had had strong winds and hundreds of apples came down... Of course the deer are there all day and they look fat and healthy also...
This is a huge tree just across from the house.. The apples are small and kind of mealy and since we have other much better apple trees for us, this one is for the wildlife... It sets thousands of apples and even though they have been falling for three months there are still a lot hanging on the tree.I took this shot yesterday and if you could zoom in really close, here is what you would see...
The tree is full of quail eating the apples that are still hanging on the tree.. Not only the quail but the finches and other small birds dine "on tree" also... Before the winter weather set in I'd see both squirrels and chipmunks eating apples also... Even our chickens eat the ones fallen on the ground..
But the sweet apples are by far the favorite for all the critters and they consume every last one. Meanwhile there are numerous crab apple trees that are just as loaded with apples... But they are very sour and are not eaten until all else is gone... Not a bird in this tree now.... Wait until January though.
How Funny
ReplyDeleteWe used to have a black lab/mix that loved apples. I used to decorate the Christmas tree with fake apples and he would grab them off the tree and crush them. He loved tomotoes from our plants to, but he would just squish them with his mouth then leave it and go for another.
When Morris goes on a diet, let me know...I'll go on one with him...
ReplyDeleteAnd, those quail are magnificent...I wonder...do they ever leave any behind when they shake their tail feathers??
Morris must be the healthiest dog ever, so fun to see that the birds have lots of food for the winter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture. Quail make the best noises when they eat. When I throw corn and seeds to my chickens and call 'chick, chick' the quail come running! A little startling the first time; a quail stampede! I always throw them a bunch too. Morris is looking beautiful. I must think on planting an apple tree or two. Thanks for pics, I always enjoy them. Suzie in Idaho
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of apples in the fall... hopefully they get eaten before they begin to rot... that is NOT a great smell!! :) Thanks for the pics of the quail... very cool.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore that closeup of the birds in the tree with the apples and the snow! It's a cozy, warm winter scene that fills you with nostalgia. (like back in the day when I actually had time to watch birds out the window!) Dog is a cutie pie too.
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