The New Fall Looks Are In

We're getting a lot of bushy tails in right now.

One of the newer looks this season is the notched or pinched tail.

 

Classic tails with fancy striped borders are always in fashion. 

 

Dressed for Fall

The Brown Waste

Where is the grass? They keep taking the green away and leaving in its place...

The Brown Waste!

Endless dirt and a sack of fertilizer soon to be spread

It was a beautiful day for a walk, but it was ruined as soon as I entered PCV.  I couldn't wait to exit through the gate back into the street.  Imagine -- the heavy First Avenue traffic and concrete sidewalks actually providing welcome relief from a park!

There is nothing more delightful the fresh smell of grass, leaves, flowers and unadulterated soil, especially in autumn. Instead I was forced to breathe in the abominable smell of fertilizer, which totally overpowered the aforementioned smells one longed for on a clear autumn day.

 

There might have been some justification if it was to be short-lived and one could look forward to a reward -- but it isn't and one can't. It's a constant process that goes on from late spring until late fall or early winter -- the denuding of the land -- the tearing up of the grass, the resultant a brown dirt that is then filled in with the horrid-smelling fertilizer, and the strangely artificial-looking blue seed which we've spoken about before here.

 

 

 

In fact I was talking to one resident who said reassuringly: Oh but it's only for a short time, to make things grow! But that's not true, I told her, because it goes on constantly. As for make things grow, why are they trying to do this at the end of September when we are supposed to be moving into that wonderful season of watching things die? But this endless cycle of "renewal" goes on throughout the spring summer and fall, until winter finally closes the game down.

Watching and smelling the beautiful leaves and berries and acorns that fall from the trees this time of year has always been one of my favorite experiences. I remember choosing fall as my favorite season in grade school while most of my classmates chose spring or summer, just because I loved the sights and smells. But now, a prisoner of the City, my best opportunity for the fall experience was being sabotaged by the landscapers, who need to be doing something I guess.

 

Am I the only one that is bothered by this faux fall renewal?   Am I the only super smeller? I don't see others walking around looking upset or angry. Maybe PCV residents have been fitted with special noseplugs to mask the smell so it doesn't bother them. Instead of autumnal splendors we get to see a few straggly plants that are going to die soon anyway. Was it worth the sacrifice?

The squirrels don't seem to mind the smell, and in fact seem to enjoy digging away in the endless dirt. I guess that's one small consolation.

A resident pointed out that when she walked out of her building today the first thing she saw was the empty brown space where they had ripped out all the hedges. There used to be a beautiful stand of hedges there that took many years to grow. GONE!
 

Anyone else bothered by this blasted wasteland? Comments are welcome.

Not in MY Backyard!

Over on the other side of the park, the NIMBY syndrome pervades, where Gray Momma (GM) can be found vigorously defending her yard from unwelcome invasions.


GM lives in the tree on the left.



GM's Castle

This summer saw some big changes: those nice landscape people gave GM the loveliest garden imaginable that now surrounds her tree.


 Imagine her surprise when she came down
to discover the changes.

  

Like Christmas morning, there was even a Christmas tree!

                                  

And pretty pots all in a row

                                    

What to make of it all? Simply astounding.



And even a fence to keep undesirables out!

Of course uninvited visitors of a certain type are constantly trying to get in, which keeps Gray Momma very busy fending them off. She really does not want any other squirrels to be enjoying her Garden of Eden! Even her children, who are all grown up now, are not really that welcome.

 Some pictures of Gray Momma at work and play on her estate. 

 

Grounds patrol
 

Intruder alert!



There's one trying to scale the fence!



All clear!



Now there's another one sneaking up from behind...
does it never end?

When she's not chasing the other squirrels away, Gray Momma loves digging in the dirt and rolling around in it. She's not burying or hunting for nuts,  but digging just for the fun of it -- sort of like a busman's holiday.



The Joy of Digging

 



Taking a break for a nice long drink.



I know I'm the luckiest squirrel in the world...
But it is my due, after all.
 

Red Mama Returns

So what's been happening? Well...

Deep into summer, Red Momma arrived back at PCV. It was so wonderful to see her again after her long absence, looking healthy and rested and ready to go, if a little bemused.

I'd know that face anywhere.

She soon settled into  a large tree near the fountain, which she guards industriously.

And she's expecting babies again! Here she is getting fed some good food. She will be watched carefully.

Here she is hanging out with me the other day:

Meanwhile, the infamous ET, the one responsible for Red Momma's relocation, is still securely in control of the Orange Tree,  and is expecting babies herself!

Back from Vacation!

It's been a long summer vacation for me and my friends. But now, as we transition from the long hot summer into the long hot autumn, we're back! Thanks to all who stayed with us during the lazy days.

Summer Day