Pinecone Cobs

Beneath every pine tree, Sugar and I discover empty pine cone cobs. It is obvious that the squirrels have been busy eating themselves happy. Like gnawed corn cobs, the tiny pine cone ribs lie scattered about on the still green grass, their white skeletons beginning to dry and wither. I resist the temptation to gather them up and create wreaths from their straw-like forms.

Sugar barks at the cheeky nibblers who barely raise a whisker in our direction. They simply crawl around to the other side of the pine tree trunk and flick their tails in disdain at our intrusion of their lunch. I wonder if squirrels consider the nuts in pine cones to be delicacies? Do they realize that by consuming the dangling pine tree fruit they are depleting what could be their only reachable source of food should snow actually appear this winter?

I have my hands full making sure Drew is fed and Sugar has her treats. I would love to put out seeds for the many feathered friends still hanging around, but that is not to be this year. Perhaps next year I will put something in the tree by my living room window, to entertain Sugar and keep the birds happy. Not that they seem to be wanting, mind you. Just that they would dine where I could enjoy their beauty.