Virginia Creeper stems

I put on my windbreaker and Whip and I walked around the buildings today.  Excellent chance of a frost tonight and maybe even a freeze.  I wanted to see what things still needed to be brought in for protection.  It was very windy and raw even after the sun came out this afternoon.  Glad I did all the work of moving the plants and rain barrel while the weather was still nice.  

Realized I hadn't cleaned out the two birdhouses on the stockade so opened those up and cleaned them out.  One had already been taken over by a mouse so glad I'd remembered them before he took up full time residence.  The Virginia creeper berries had been all eaten leaving only the red stems.  Virginia Creeper vines use the stockade wire mesh for climbing just like the grapes.  Big difference is creeper berries are not edible by mammals.  They are a favorite  though of migrating birds.  These berries are more finch or warbler sized.  The grapes are being eaten by the larger birds - robins and the pileated woodpeckers.

 After this the forecast is for warming again and while the wind has blown away many of the colorful leaves, the tamarack are just beginning to show their beautiful golden color.