Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Small Surprises

I looked out the kitchen window a few days ago and noticed a bird in the new beautyberry bush next to the pond. Scott and I have no idea what kind of bird this is, since it's fuzzy like a baby bird, but huge. Hmm... As you can see from the picture below, apparently the bird likes the berries! Good thing I didn't buy this plant purely for the decorative aspect!
It's amazing how quickly wildlife will flock to a new birdfeeder, birdbath, or natural food source. I should add breeding place to that list, because a frog has already laid eggs in the pond and they have hatched! The tadpoles are so tiny that I couldn't get a picture of them. When they are a little bigger, I'll scoop some up in a cup and take a picture then.

In other small news, assorted mini bell peppers planted from seed back in March are finally fruiting:
The seeds were a mix of red, green, and chocolate baby bells. The problem is that since I don't know what color the fruits are supposed to be on any of the plants, I have no idea when to harvest! Above and below are two plants which appear to be producing different colored peppers. They are still quite firm, which makes me think they aren't quite ripe yet... but who knows?!
The eggplants aren't new, but the babies are so cute I couldn't help including one here:

Hope you're all having a great week!

8 comments:

Susie said...

That is a cute little eggplant. Cute little peppers too! My hot bananas are still producing but that's about it in my garden.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Good for the little bird! Food!

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I'm soooooo jealous that you already had a frog! I've been waiting for one for years to visit ours. I planted my Beautyberry near our pond too hoping it would attract more birds.
Love the cute little eggplant.

Bangchik and Kakdah said...

That's quite a bulge, your eggplant! It is wonderful to see the little stem giving support and holding on to the extra weight with pride.. haha. cheers ~ bangchik

Prairie Chicken... said...

GIVE ME ALL YOUR EGGPLANTS! I haven't seen a single one in my garden yet.
I keep meaning to add some water to my garden but.... laziness prevails

MissyM said...

Your eggplant is quite pretty! It's amazing how many different things the birds eat.

persephone said...

Lucky you to have a beauty berry bush! I hear that the leaves/berries are effective mosquito repellents, better than DEET and maybe even catnip! The berries are also edible, but rather unpalatable, but so pretty and jewel-like when ripe!