On Bears, Berries, and Katsura Trees

[ellyssian]

Well, they actually do have something in common: my yard.

In no particular order, I discovered a second of the winterberries is, in fact, a she and not a he. Luckily, the one in a prominent position in the center of the Stone Stream island is, and she had two potential offspring that grew bright red - and then were hacked off, along with a bit of twig and a mouthful of leaves, by one of our white tailed rodents. The other, just discovered today, has only one fruit, but it has thus far evaded the hooved herbivore Hoovers.

The katsura tree has lived up to its expectations - as soon as the leaves go from green to yellow, it gives off a smell somewhere between cotton candy and caramel. Of course, since it's still just a twig, there's less than two dozen leaves, so you have to lean over and sniff. I've caught the scent at a distance once or twice; faint, but it shows promise. Which reminds me, I tried to convince Justin to get me some cotton candy while we were at Fair in the Square in Watertown last weekend, but he didn't...

Justin thinks a bear ran by him while he was down getting the trash barrels earlier today. He says it was the size, shape, and ran like the one we had seen last week. Only it was white.

So. Looks like I might be able to get some ammunition for that RPPB that was discussed on TH last year some time. Of course, stuffing a polar bear - even a smallish one - into the rocket shell is always the challenge, and it's best to buy the stuff fully loaded. Or just to stay away from the whole dubious concept.

Deb is of the opinion that it was a wolf; I suggested coyote at first, as they're known to frequent, well, everywhere. White, however, isn't a likely color for either one or the other, although I suppose it's more likely than an albino black bear.

Even more likely, is that it was a large white dog. Think I might even have seen one somewhere in the neighborhood before, which makes it even more likely.

Comments

[jemmind.livejournal.com]

I'd tend to go with the dog idea.
I've never heard of a katsura tree--I am intriqued. I will have to look it up!

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

I forget where I first came across it - but it looks very beautiful in all four seasons. Lots of character in the branching and bark, rich green leaves, followed by bright fall color (and, of course, the scent. =)

These two I have will take a few years (like 10 - although it does say the growth rate is moderate to rapid, so there's hope yet!) to get to a decent size, but it should be worth the wait.

[noone234.livejournal.com]

I hear the bears are bleaching their hair these days. Kids.

[patrixa.livejournal.com]

Just get that pepper spray -- lots of cans -- 1 for the front porch, 1 for the deck, 1 for the garage, 1 for the mailbox, 1 for each person, 1 for each car... Got it? Then get it, er, them, then. That's all -- for now.