Monday, October 22, 2012

Gratitude Monday -- For the Birds



We have all manner of interesting plants growing in our yard. Those who can grow plants are said to have a green thumb.  My husband has two green hands.
Among the foliage we have are river grapes, Vitis riparia, and this year they produced.
We didn't know as they have so many leaves the fruit only showed when the leaves died.
We tried a few and they were okay. The seed is pretty big so it's a bit of an effort to eat them.
Husband picked a few then decided the birds would enjoy them more than we did.
I am grateful for this bounty, for the chance to try them, and for being able to offer the birds a fruit course this autumn.




14 comments:

Laurita said...

That's just amazing. I hope the birds enjoy the fruits of your labours.

Tabor said...

Let us know when the birds discover them and which birds arrive?

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Laurita. Good pun, too.

Tabor, all I've seen so far is a junco checking them out.

messymimi said...

Kudos to your husband, i hope the birds appreciate his talent.

Virginia Lee said...

They'll come. Also, huzzah!! Feeding the birds, especially those up your way, is a wonderful thing. xo

the Bag Lady said...

Do the grapes ferment after they freeze (like the mountain ash berries do)?

You'll have drunken birds flopping all over your yard, hangin' out, smokin' cigarettes, and makin' lewd comments about Tweety.

Bossy Betty said...

They are gorgeous. If I were a bird, I would definitely be by for lunch.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Messymimi. I'm sure they do.

Virginia Lee, yes, they will. Thanks.

Bag Lady, I don't know for a fact if they ferment, but it does seem logical. You made me LOL. We have enough putting up with the drunken, dissipated waxwings who tear into the mountain ash.

Aww, thanks, Bossy Betty.

solarity said...

The wild grapes that grew in the woods near my old house would ferment, but mostly the birds ate them before that could happen. I could see the grapes when the formed, all pale green, but then the leaves got bigger and lusher and I would forget to check them for ripeness (they make great grape juice or jelly) and when the leaves began to fall they would mostly be eaten.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

Barbara Martin said...

Excellent photo, Leah. I've never seen these before.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Ah, I wonder if that's why birds have been smashing into our windows the last week or so, maybe we have something similar nearby that's fermenting into bird wine!

Great photo!

Leah J. Utas said...

Mary Anne, at least you knew they were there. We didn't have a clue until the leaves died.

Thanks you, Barbara.

Crabby, birds are notorious drunks.
Thanks.

Hilary said...

Well thanks.. you identified what I had photographed and posted the other day. I like the idea of the birds enjoying these tasty looking treats.

Leah J. Utas said...

Glad to be of service, Hilary.