630 Growing Degree Days (B42)

He found two of our feeders.  He is perched on the rope for the dog run in this photo.  I like how the camera made the green in the background look like brush strokes.  Reality imitating art.

Lilacs are done.

Very done.

The first Blackberry blossoms are open.

I think Spirea (Bridal-wreath) is the most popular landscaping shrub in local cemeteries.  It can be reliably counted upon to be in bloom on Memorial Day in Southern Michigan.  I suspect other latitudes have other favorites.

Motherhood was a tough job.

Especially before the advent of antiseptics, antibiotics and blood transfusions.

It is still a tough job.  H/T to Mike K.

Mrs ERJ's new row of asparagus is coming along. We planted it last year.  We will not pick any this year. 

A #110 body grip trap is just a little bit small for woodchucks.  #160 is a better all-round size for woodchucks and raccoons and possum.  In this case, the #110 was the first trap I found and it got the job done.  Woodchucks are hell on emerging green bean plants, leaf lettuce and they undermine concrete slabs.

The ostrich phenomena.  He thinks that I cannot see him because he cannot see me.

The persimmons are starting to show flower buds.  A single bud is a female.  That is, it will bear fruit.  It is exciting to have a seedling bear fruit for the first time.  You can never tell if it will be a "spitter" or Ambrosia of the Gods.

Flower buds that are in clusters of two or three are males.  They will, generally, not bear fruit.  I pulled the leaf off to better display the three flower buds.  That is when it is handy to be able to graft.  Persimmon gurus debate the necessity of having any males.  Many of them claim persimmons will set seedless fruit in the absence of viable male trees.  I would just as soon have the seeds.  Call me Johnny Persimmonseed if you want.  The thing is, I want males that will produce awesome progeny.

First bloom seen on Climbing Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara).  Not edible by humans but a great favorite of birds in the late fall.  This could be a beautiful ornamental if the flowers were flattened out and were five times the diameter.