We're keeping our plants alive with daily dousings. But not whatever grass is left in the yard. We just can't justify the use of water (or the expense) to keep it green. However, at least the native plants serve some purpose, like attracting occasional queens (butterflies) and our summer hummingbirds. We keep our five bird baths filled, too, for the birds.
Other animals, like squirrels, also frequent the bird baths. Sometimes at night.
We had suspected something bigger than a squirrel because the bird bath I can see out my window would be mysteriously dry by morning. For several nights, James would get up and peer out the windows, hoping to catch the culprit in action. One night he did.
"Sheryl, Sheryl!" he whispered excitedly, "there she is!"
Groggily, I got out of bed and padded over to the window, where James stood holding the blinds open. Sure enough, there she was–a doe, moving through the dark, munching on our trumpet vines.
Lately, she's been browsing our vegetable garden. At least, what's left of it. Because of the heat and lack of rain, our plants–tomatoes, squash, zucchini, bell peppers–have barely produced anything this summer. We're about ready to quit watering it. But I figure we might as well keep it green so the deer can finish it off. At least it will benefit someone!
