Almonds Are Ready!

My almond tree is loaded with almonds this year. The crows have returned (last year was their first year) to harvest the almonds on the tops of the branches. I tried to take their picture, but they were weary of me and kept flying away.
The mocking birds and blue jays also like to eat the almonds. My almonds are full of worms, so I don't mind sharing. I am going to be getting some chickens soon, and I will pen them in under my almond tree next spring, so they can eat all of the new crop of worms, which live just under the surface of the soil as they await their time to travel up to the nuts.

Almonds Are For The Birds!

Can you see it? In my almond tree is a crow! It's just to the right of center--you might need to click on the picture to really see him. This is the first year that I have had crows after my almonds (which are nearly ready to harvest). Several crows get in the top of the tree at a time and make quite a racket as they eat the almonds. I'm not able to harvest the almonds that high, so it is easy to share with the birds. Usually, it's the blue jays that take the nuts. The blue jays generally store the nuts anywhere they think they can--in the ground (where they grow the next spring), under shingles, under rocks, and where ever they think it's safe. Sprouted almonds are easy to pull out, unlike the pecans the jays plant! Pecans have a terrific tap root that, even new sprouts with only two leaves, can't be pulled out.