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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Our not so green yard, and some critters!

Although the weather has been gorgeous lately, our grass is not looking green, because it's covered with seeds and oak tassels.  It's the season for trees to be dropping things!

These tassel looking things drop from Oak trees in the Spring and are called Catkins. There are so many this year that our front lawn looks brown!



There are so many, they're starting to pile up next to the road.



Meanwhile, in the back yard the Maple tree is also dropping seeds, or helicopters as we call them.



Some of the critters are very happy about this.  We've been seeing several black squirrels happily eating back there.



This little brown squirrel was collecting seeds and running to this tree to eat them.
They sure can be fun to watch!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

LOL, we have those helicopters too! The fly onto our front porch and I have to keep them blown off or we track them inside. :-)

Karen said...

I like the last picture -- he looks like Squirrel Nutkin from Beatrix Potter.

I've never seen a black squirrel -- very cool!

White Lace and Promises said...

I've never seen a black squirrel I don't think. I thought we got the seed things in the Spring. Oh who knows! Hope you and your hubby had a great day together.

Connie said...

We have them too. In fact, I think there are a lot more than other years. Yes, squirrels too and chipmunks.

Sola Scriptura said...

I had never seen a black squirrel before either. How interesting. We also have a lot of seeds and helicopters falling from trees, but it is a very beautiful time of year!

Anonymous said...

They look good! See the bushy tail of the squirrel!

Hootin Anni said...

When I read your title in my blogger reading list, I thought...."Hmmmm, with all that winter snow, how can the yard be brown"? Now I see why. LOL

Hope no one is suffering from allergies.

Squirrels? So darned cute. Gotta love 'em.

Terri D said...

We used to have a beautiful maple tree in our backyard, when I was a kid. I remember those whirly things!! Our live oak trees already dropped their acorns and pollen strings. They surely do make a mess. It all keeps the squirrels happy, though! Here and there! Have a good week!

Brooke said...

i don't know that i've ever seen a black squirrel before. we've only got the brown guys around here.

Jennifer Hays said...

We had lots of maples when I was a kid. For some reason, my mother called the seeds "polly noses" but I don't know why and I've never met anyone else who calls them that!

Linda said...

Do ya want me to send you some green grass? (smiles and giggles) I do not believe I have seen a black squirrel. Blessings

Anonymous said...

I always called those helicopters and squiggles!

Patsy said...

We have been through this early in the spring.They sure make a mess.

Rebecca said...

I never knew what the oak thingies were called - but have always loved the helicopters :)

We have one other messy type of thing falling, too. Seems I sweep sidewalks everyday!

And we have black squirrels, too. It is my understanding they are "dominant" and will drive out the grey and brown ones....

Betsy Brock said...

I have never heard of Catkins! But helicopters? Yes...we call them that, too!

cute squirrels!

Cherdecor said...

What do you do with the catkins? Do you rake them up or do you leave them to fertilize the lawn? They look like there are so many that they could kill the grass.

Jenny said...

Oh my goodness our oak tree drops those furry things like crazy too, although it hasn't done it so far this year. Or has it? Is it when it leafs out? I cannot remember. It's all a blur. I was remembering to the girls the other day about when we used to visit my sister in Quebec and they had those big fat black squirrels that would sit saucily in the snow. You never see those here. In fact even our brown squirrels are pretty skinny. But just as nutty LOL xoxo