Not much could happen in just over a week, right? Wrong! There was so much to see!
There weren't any starfruit, also known as carambola, when we left on our trip but by the time we returned, the small tree just outside the west entry door was covered with soon-to-be-ripe fruit. After years of winter freezes that killed back this cold-sensiteve tree, it finally looks like we're going to have an amazing crop!
I knew avocadoes were beginning to develop before we went away but I didn't expect them to grow as big so quickly. They're not ready to pick yet but will be soon and when they're ready, my - will they be good! Can hardly wait!
Figs are another fruit that was only beginning to develop when we left two weeks ago. Upon our return, many of the LSU purple figs that we grow were already to be picked and eaten and shared with friends and family.
We weren't the only ones to notice the ripening figs. The squirrels did too. If you look close at the picture above (click to enlarge) you'll see a partially nibbled fig on the tree. I'm surprised the little bushy-tailed bandit didn't eat it all up like the one in the picture below is doing.
Squirrels weren't the only critters to take advantage of our absence. We got home after midnight. The next morning, I looked out the window straight into the face of a wild turkey. I don't know which of us was more startled.
I also noticed not one but two ospreys perched in the dead pine tree across the lake. Unfortunately, they flew away when I took my boat out for a row but I'm still hopeful that one day a pair will decide to build a nest on top of the snag and raise some babies.
A black vulture was also hanging around one of the snags. The osprey may have been spooked by my rowing and flew away but the vulture didn't move at all when I rowed by.
I stumbled upon one final surprise late at night just before bed. Before going to sleep, I looked out the bedroom window and noticed one of my potted plants looking droopy (kind of how I felt after all that travel). So, I picked myself up and went outside to give it some water. I'm so glad I did because while there, I noticed a flower blooming in one of the succulents. I'm not sure what kind of succulent it is but now that I've seen it flower I realize it must be some sort of night-blooming cirius. That's the kind of welcome home gift I love to receive!
If you know what variety this is, please let me know |