For the record, I’m not sure if I despise the scoundrels in my yard or if I admire them. All I know is the summer of 2023 has prevented me from showing off my gardening skills. Sure, I know, the extra dry weather hasn’t helped. But, the weather isn’t all that’s got me on the fence about the gardens that weren’t.
The fence in our yard does keep the birds occupied. Knowing that doesn’t prevent me from mourning how the rabbits and ground squirrels maintain their menacing tactics by entering the yard IMHO illegally.
“Next year, I’ll put a fence around all of the garden beds.” has rolled off my tongue so many times.
The rabbits or bunnies enter their green grassy knoll here
and proceed to rule the yard.
They are cute and fun to watch when they leave my flowers alone. They haven’t figured out how to open doors or gates yet.
Aww…dang, I despise/love how they can be so stinking adorable when they show off kissing bunnies poses.
I dash out the front door when I notice from the window one of the many scoundrels misbehaving.
I’ve chased that same looking like all the other scoundrels out of the flowers so many times.
Mr. felt sorry for me. He bought me this kind of fence. It is a powder, not a liquid. 🤔
My backyard garden is the one I’ve been worried about since I can’t see the scoundrels from the window. They attack when I’m not inspecting it. The liquid fence (when I remember to refresh it) has helped some. Here’s proof.
I was so proud to see my first Zinnia bud! A precious tiny pink one.
Later that afternoon, a pop-up hail and rainstorm dumped on the yard. Oh, dear…I fretted all night wondering if the flowers would survive.
The hail was intense.
The next morning the ground was still wet. Yay, for much-needed rain. I grabbed my camera and headed out the fence gate to see if the Zinnia survived.
It had! ☝🏻
I’m unsure if it grew from a faulty seed or if the hail nicked it. What do you think?
I scanned the rest of the garden and noticed another Zinnia bud. Yay, the pink one has a future bright kind of friend. The flower garden might just survive. . .
And then…I felt like there were eyes watching me hoping I’d head out and leave the delicate buds for a scoundrel’s breakfast made for king of the yard.
Across the yard, there he was.
Tempting runaway fate, I thought, “What the heck, let’s see how close I can get to the little pretend statue.”
I stepped gently across the grass and got closer…
He didn’t move so I got closer again.
Closer. . .
On the last click of the camera, I said, “Hello, Little Scoundrel.”
And off he ran.
I smiled to myself at my gift of instigating the faux chase. I headed back through the gate that keeps the big critters out.
Where the wood fence meets the chain link fence, the smaller critters can enter. Copper used to chase them out of this spot all the time.
Decades of lichen dwell here.
The rabbits use this side of the fence to enter to hide under and behind the Tea House.
They share their byway with the ground squirrels. Ah, such a life they live avoiding the human who chases them.
All in all, I have to admit I do admire how the small critters know how to enjoy the simple pleasures of shade from the sun and shelter from me.
Post Inspiration: Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “record.” Use it as a noun, use it as a verb, use it any way you’d like. Have fun! And Terri Webster Schrandts’ Sunday Stills July 16 Let’s Get Small and Dawn Miller at Lingering Visions where she’s hosting this week’s Lens-Artists #258 Challenge: Fences.
PS – Have you tried Liquid Fence products before? More importantly, have you smelled it? Ew! No wonder they stay away. What is your favorite color for Zinnias? Which photo of the rabbits did you enjoy the most?
These guys are fun to watch, and we happily support them with water and feed. So far, the bunnies have left the veggies alone, but someone has been eating some plants.
You do have some adorable bunnies in your yard! With our drought I’ve been wondering how the wild rabbits get water. I’ve been assuming they get it from the dew drenched blades of grass and weeds. 🤔
We’ve even caught a chipmunk munching on flowers. They’re all entertaining scoundrels in our yard. 🤣
I love the tiny zinnia bud, Shelley! I’m glad they survived the freak hailstorm! Our temps hit high 90s this weekend so a wet thunderstorm would be welcomed! Oh those wascally wabbits will vex you for years to come I’m afraid. We had a winter bunny last year but thankfully he moved on. Now that we have tomatoes (fenced!), only birds visit them, but don’t do any noticeable damage. I read that a good deer deterrent is Irish Spring soap either shaved or hanging in your garden is good and it’s non-toxic to plants. It disrupts the deer’s ability to smell predators so they meander away. Hope you can win the rabbit battle sooner than later!
Thanks, Terri – I was hoping you’d like the Zinnia bud! I enjoyed your post too! Your macro photos are stunning as always.
Yikes…90…that’s HOT and I just looked now and we’re only in the low 70s and it’s windy. What a roller coaster summer it has been.
Yeah…the bunnies have claimed ownership of our yard. Earlier this spring when the hawks were moving through, we saw less bunnies, but they’ve gotten smarter and harder to catch.
I’ll have to try the Irish Spring soap next. And I’m going to have to figure out some fencing for the spring.
Thank you for the rabbit battle wishes – if nothing else, they give me food for blogging thoughts 🤣
I’ve never heard of that fence product, I’m glad that it works. It seems like you guys need another dog to run the bad guys out of your yard. The rain looks so pretty but not the falling gold balls from above, ouch! 114F is the number for Vegas today, enjoy your cool weather, guys!
Hi John! We hadn’t heard of the product either but it seems to be a best seller at the lawn and garden store here. I think about a dog often. I’m still not ready – Copper was just so perfect for me. 😉 We did have our neighbor’s dog run around the yard one day and we saw less of the bunnies then. Once their dog went back home the coast was clear and the bunnies returned.
Yikes 114 F…we’re at 76 and windy. You’d probably be throwing on a light jacked here! 🤔😅 Stay cool, John!
No, 76 sounds nice but the humidity is a bit high. Copper sure seemed like a sweet little guy, I wish that I could have met him. I am hiding inside from the heat, Shelley, this kind of heat is actually dangerous!
Yes, we do have the humidity! Glad you’re staying inside away from the dangerous heat.
Copper was a charming dog, you would’ve liked meeting him in person!
Stay cool, John!
I woo be hiding inside again today again with 110 degrees outside. 🔥🔥
That’s so 🥵🔥🥵🔥
LOL. You’re never going to win this war. But it’s fun watching. (sort of). Let me tell you a zinnia story from my yard, yesterday. We have planted ‘wildflowers’ in a point of garden land near the long driveway. Yesterday I had the board from my community band here for an all day work on the bylaws session. The president arrived first, pulled in, then backed around until she was facing out, the easier to leave I guess. But as she pulled forward she drove right into the seeded garden. I guess it looked liked weeds, as nothing is blooming yet. From my perch on the front porch it looked like she pretty much parked her suv in the middle of my flower bed! I ran out there and tried to be polite as I told her to “GENTLY” back up off my flowers. She said she hadn’t realized her tires were off the pavement. Well. All FOUR tires were off the pavement and sitting in my garden. I didn’t laugh much about it but I tried not to yell. Today many of the squashed little plants are trying to stand upright again. I hope it won’t be so obvious when everything grows tall around it. So far husband hasn’t noticed. Anyway, in there are some zinnia plants that are broken. 🙁 The cosmos seemed to bend. I’m hopeful. Meanwhile out at the road I planted just zinnia and they are beginning to bloom. So maybe people will stop letting their dogs pee on them. I have different sorts of scoundrel around here.
Oh, my, Dawn, THAT’S a Zinnia story for the record books. How could a person not know they were off the road? Yikes. I would’ve had a hard time not yelling or crying. It’ll be interesting to see if the broken Zinnias recover. I’ve had them bend and regrow before, but they weren’t driven on.
Yuck…that’s kind of rude too to let their dogs pee in other’s yards. If Penny pees there will they stop?
We’re both here to say that scoundrels come in all shapes and sizes. 😉
Your bunny photos are wonderful! Aren’t they the cutest little garden wreckers?! It seems with gardening, if it’s not one thing, it’s another! 🤣If the rabbits, deer, bugs, and birds don’t get to it, the weather surely will!
Your yard is so gorgeous!
Hi Michelle – thank you, I appreciate your words of encouragement and the clever name of garden wreckers versus scoundrels 😂 You’re right something always gets the plants. 😉 Hopefully, I’ll see some more blooms before the snow flies here!
I totally get your frustration. I planted seeds…they dig them up and ate them…I planted plants…they dug them up looking for more seeds. My 12′ sunflowers of last year are barely 3′ tall due to pests and weather. This morning I saw evidence of a groundhog in the middle of destroyed tomato plants. UGGGG!! Someone told me to use cayenne pepper next year, we will see.
Hi Anita! I was just thinking about you this morning. Dang…you’re having a challenging time too.
I don’t think I have a groundhog, but who knows. I didn’t know they like tomatoes, but I suppose anything they can find is open game when they’re hungry.
My daughter has been using cayenne pepper this year and it seems to work in her garden. It was her first year having a garden so I’m thinking her multiple check ins have something to do with the chances of keeping the plants alive. 🤔
Your burnt red-orange sunflower is STUNNING! I’ve never seen one of those. I hope it brings some sunshine to your garden blues.
I hope the other two that are still trying are the same color. We will see. Yes it has been a challenging year for anything “garden”
I hope so too – a trio of them would be extra stunning.
The farmer that planted soybeans is feeling the struggle too. The only fields that seem to be doing ‘ok’ are the ones with irrigation. My friend who has a watering system for her yard has had great luck growing beautiful flowers – but the hail storms, the deer, and the bears have done them in. I think critters are feeling the rough year too. It has indeed been a tough year for gardens.
Yes, the animals are definitely feeling this weather. I think that is why the squirrels have been so destructive – looking for food and a cool spot of dirt.
Yes, I agree! Our squirrel that visited often during the winter hasn’t ventured out into our yard much – not enough shade for him I guess.
Oh the bunnies are adorable Shelley … they like you, your yard and feel at home. You’ve welcomed them with open arms – NOT. I wonder if the answer is to buy some rabbit food (at a pet supply store) and put it in a corner of the yard – would they beat a path there instead of nibbling in your garden? Don’t bother buying baby carrots – they turn their button noses up at carrots. I guess only Bugs Bunny eats carrots. The zinnia was perky and pretty – that stupid hailstorm. Well, you have another zinnia to step up to the plate and bloom. On the plus side, the bunnies provide entertainment, they don’t mess up the deck like the birds scrambling to get to the feeder did and you had fodder for a blog post.
Hi Linda, thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
Yes, the bunnies are adorable and multiple faster than I can keep track of them. 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇 Dan mentioned that he’s been feeding and watering the ones in his yard and they’ve left their flowers alone. I’m not sure I want to feed them as then they don’t learn to fend for themselves and it might attract bigger critters that we don’t want in the yard.
Funny side story – we were out in the front yard watering our plants and trees and when I started watering the iris and daisy garden bed, a little rabbit jumped out and landed in the rocks. Both Mr. and I said, “Hi Little Bunny” and backed up and waited for it to run away and skirt under the fence and hide under the tea house. I guess we know who is boss of the yard now.
Yes, hopefully more zinnias will bloom. I wonder if I should take photos of weeds instead of flowers. 🤔
Well so much for that bright idea – I thought it would be a diversion for them “oh wow – our own personal grub, so let’s ditch the flowers and eat that instead – we can always come back and finish the flowers off later!”
I just recently started following Dan and have to laugh because he does what I do with bunnies (and I do it with squirrels in the yard or park too) and that’s give them wide berth so they can continue eating … no heartburn having to eat and jump/run away! Yes, we know who is boss of the yard now … who can resist their cuteness?
People on social media go on about how cute opossums are and maybe it is me, but one morning I went out after a bad storm to ensure no debris fell into the A/C grille and had a staring match with a possum, I didn’t see “cute” staring back at me, though thankfully it eats mosquitoes. Yes, weeds work – I just pulled out a dandelion … who has dandelions in July?
I’m game to try any ideas – the scoundrels seem to enjoy the challenge as well.
Yay – Dan’s blog is fun to follow. I highly recommend his books too if you’re looking for more reading for the winter months.
We’ve only seen opossums on our trail cam. I’m guessing they’re around the yard too. I agree, the cuteness factor isn’t there as much for me – rabbits are cuter IMHO. 😂
You can’t beat rabbits and squirrels for the cuteness factor. There is a store near me that has one of those galvanized aluminum planters filled with flowers … it looks really nice and I was looking at a wooden raised ground planter at one time (in thinking what I’ll do in the bare backyard) but I think I like the galvanized planters better.
Dan has lots of fun bunny and squirrel pics … I only started following him after Yvette did our respective interviews.
The baby possum has a cute face up close but no, not something cute and cuddly looking.
Yes, indeed.
I think I’ll do more research this winter on what to do and how to have a garden despite the critters.
Yes, he does – that’s fun that you connected via Yvette!
I agree!
Yes, look into the raised gardens … Mr. could build them for you after he finishes his 2023 project. 🙂 They sell the wooden ones on Amazon and Menards – not sure about the galvanized ones. They look like a huge watering trough. I wondered if the metal would attract the sun and cook the dirt or fry the flowers … just call me an optomist.
We’ve been talking about what to do. We do have quite the long list to get done before the snow flies so I might need to buy them versus build them. 🤣😂 That’s funny…I wonder the same thing about the metal attracting the sun!
In your case, the snow flies so early … As for the galvanized planters, the annuals I saw planted in there seemed fine. They are planted in front of a union hall I think it is, a former Bank of America that closed a few years ago. I would think it might be hot to the touch though. I am thinking of back in the day when girls laid out in the sun with pieces of aluminum foil positioned around them to attract the sun’s rays to get a sun tan.
Yes, indeed the four letter word appears earlier than we like each year. 😂
I bet the planters are hot to the touch in the sun. That might deter critters that like to climb the sides of things.
Oh, my, yes, aluminum foil, baby oil, vegetable oil, etc. All to get that tan beach body look! 😎
Ugh – snow. But ugh to 90s next week and the rest of the Summer being stormy according to a national weather forecaster weighing in on Michigan’s weather. You’re right – they would burn their paws and noses. I heard a story on the news this morning that a park in a state that has the very hot temps put the slide off limits to kids as the slide was 120 degrees – thought that was odd since we just commented on the metal getting so hot.
Ugh…we waited all flipping winter for a nice spring and summer and here we are waiting for cooler weather again!
Oh, yes, those slides can get REALLY hot! 🥵🔥🥵🔥
We had a storm last night so I didn’t finish up here and the weather alarm went off an hour ago – 40-50 mph wind with 1-inch hail moving eastward. All is good now, but torrential rain and pinging. It was a very hot weekend and I went out both days on long walks and lots of pics – must ensure I don’t run out of pics in the Winter. 🙂 Seeing your comment on the slide … so I drove past the raised garden in the galvanized planter and looked what was in it. It’s very colorful and mostly Wave Petunias which hang way down the planter … so the hot metal is not affecting those flowers or wilting them. They looked good. I will bet it’s sticky though where they hang onto the metal. That’s the only thing I don’t like about petunias, but you can’t kill them … bet that scoundrels might not like the feel of sticky petunias on their fur and if you bought the 4-inch pots to begin with, the flowers are already big enough to have lots of blooms. Just a thought … I am thinking I may go that route, though I’m guessing perennials are hardier in all the hailstorms than annuals.
Another storm! Yikes!
Thanks for the update on the raised garden bed ideas. I haven’t had petunias for years, but did like them. The yucky beetles like them if I remember correctly, especially if they are white ones. The farmer sprayed the fields so the bugs moved to my flowers now. The only plants that seem resilient this year are the Catchfly, Daisies, and Irises.
I’m going to plan for raised garden beds next year! The storm that went by the Walmart area took out the apple orchards and the pumpkin fields as well as any perennials. Mother Nature sure is messed up this year!
I wonder if you have to bring those galvanized or even the wooden raised gardens into the garage or a shed every Winter, especially since you have such brutal Winters. Would covering them with a tarp suffice? So if the scoundrels don’t do your flowers in, the bugs gravitate to your plants after the spraying. We had a strawberry farm lose their entire crop with hail damage about a month ago. It is one of the biggest U-Pick farms around here and they had just opened that morning for U-Pick and the hail storm rolled thru and reduced the crops to strawberry jam. Yes, Mother Nature really messed up bigtime this year!
If they have to be moved in I don’t think we could go that route. Hmm…
It’s always something that can damage plants around our yard.
That’s sad about the strawberry farm. I’m guessing our local raspberry farm and apple orchards were affected too. I haven’t heard though.
I agree – this summer is wonky indeed!
You may be able to cover it with a tarp though … I see people leave out cement planters and birdbaths – they remove the bowl part and they weather the Winter fine. The owners of the strawberry farm said that other farmers said they would donate their leftover plants to plant other crops to sustain them thru the 2023 season. That is nice – a community gesture.
Yes, that might work!
It’s heart-warming to hear stories like that, thank you for sharing!
Enjoyed your ‘rabbit chase’.
Thank you, I appreciate you stopping by to share your thoughts!
Zinneas are so good at self seeding, going back to stock so not as showy but I like them never the less. If you empty your gazunda around the flower beds that can deter critters too.
When I first moved here, before I had a job in town, if I needed to do a number one, I did it near the chook pen. Also gave me something to do, checking on the flock and their yard. This also deterred other animals from attacking and killing the chooks. After this wasn’t happening often, suddenly Goannas moved in to feast on eggs and a chook if they could catch one, plus foxes and Quolls.
Love the fence photos 🙂
Hi Brian, I think this is the third year of harvesting the seeds after they bloom and dry out. They seem to be much smaller than the first year I planted them.
LOL – I love those yard tips. Hmm… 🤔 I bet I could get Mr. to do that when he’s out working in the yard? 😂 I definitely want to avoid attracting other larger critters!
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the fence photos 😊
This was quite enjoyable. I’m still smiling.
Thank you, Dawn!
“Hello, Little Scoundrel.” Oh I’m loving that line. We have rabbits around us but none as brazen as yours. I’ve never tried Liquid Fence to protect our flowering plants from deer. Am inspired to try it.
🤣 Glad you enjoyed the line, Ally! Sunday night, Mr. and I caught the little scoundrel lounging in the flower bed. It jumped out onto the rocks and froze after I sprayed it with the hose before I knew it was in there. He was so clever and cute Mr. and I backed up enough and stood still to let it run off into hiding. 🙄
If you get some Liquid Fence I hope it works for you too!
Ally – I finally got around to reading your answers to questions on your blog! I adore the answers you shared about all the questions, and of course, the answers to mine. Your efforts are delightful and I appreciate you taking the time organize them in such a fun way! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
https://thespectacledbean.com/2023/07/13/july-reply-answering-your-questions-about-blogging-ama-part-1-of-3/#respond
What great choices for the theme.
I think your zinnia got nibbled on by one of the adorable little bastards.
LOL – If that’s the case they’re even more clever than I thought they were!! 🤣🤣🤣
hahaha. I love your story, and clearly they love you. I loved all your photos especially the one where the bunnies are kissing on the step. That is so sweet. The zinnias are so brilliant. nice macro shots. And yes, I would said hail got your first one. Great post.
🥰😊Thank you, Donna, I’m happy you enjoyed the scoundrel tales.
I love the brilliant colors of zinnias too – I’m so happy at least one made it to the light of day before being taken out by something/one.
I enjoyed your post too, your thoughts on not being fenced in was a nice twist to the prompt!
So sorry about your garden to keap flowers in bloom against rabbits, deers… bad weather too.
I’m struggling against snails. They’re climbing on the home walls, doors, windows … up to the first floor bcs this year no more hedgehogs, in the garden.
I am trying crushed seashell powder. Everybody is laughing at me.
I’m waiting for your recipes: – rabbit stew, – hunter mushrooms rabbit, – mustard, – prunes, – rabbit liver pâté…
😂😄 That may be necessary when winter comes around! 🤔
Aw…that sounds very frustrating. It’s been so dry here that slugs aren’t even around much. I can’t imagine snails like you’ve described. What happened to the hedgehogs? My daughter uses crushed egg shells.
I hope you find something that works and shows the neighbors how clever you are!
Hedgehogs could have eaten to much cat’s food.
When long winter comes … 🙂
I tossed out some of the cat food crumbs that our cats didn’t want into our yard. I need to go check and see if something ate the pile or not!
I can identify with your animal woes. When we lived in Ohio and had a garden, both flowers and veggies, the rabbits and chipmunks that look so cute in the wild were my sworn enemies. Worst of all were the deer because no fence could keep them out. One morning I got up to find every single day lily flower had been eaten overnight. The following summer I planted the veggies in pots on the flat roof of our garage and no veggie predator managed to get up there!!
janet
Hi Janet! Thanks for stopping by, it’s nice to hear from you. Oh, yes, Ohio has scoundrels too. Clever ones!
For some reason (I’m guessing it’s the soybean fields not having beans yet), the deer haven’t eaten my day lilies yet. I’m sure that time will come.
I’m considering raised beds for next year. I think the deer would still get them. That’s great you found a solution for the next summer.
I love this line in your post: I’ve never figured out how male moose can run through the forest without hitting the trees with their horns which are often very wide. It made me chuckle!
Stay cool where you’re at – 110 is HOT!
I have always enjoyed seeing your bunny pictures Shelley. They look right at home in your yard! But I totally understand the frustration of their eating habits. They have acres & acres to feed on, why do they have to choose the flowers we try to protect?
Hi! I’m happy to see your comments 🥰🤗 Yes, the critters are feeling all happy. You’re exactly right…what the heck are they doing eating my flowers when they have acres of other stuff to eat!? Grr. Since I posted some scoundrel nipped the first zinnia off and left it to wilt and die. WHY OR WHY? 😣😭
I enjoyed your photos you shared for the Fences – nice leading lines and great variety! Nice job 🥰
Well that’s just rude! Biting off the zinnia and not even eating it!
Indeed – thus the reason I call them scoundrels! 😆