“My figs are ripe!” I told Cousin Dusty on the phone. I knew this even though I could not actually see them. I had been hearing a glorious chorus of happy birds and I suddenly realized why they were so darn happy — they were in my fig tree — eating my figs! There was a lot of excited fluttering and they were singing, “Woo-Hoo! Ripe Figs! Oh Yum!” I’m pretty sure that’s what they were saying, because that’s what I say when they get ripe.
The crop wasn’t very big this year, unfortunately. I’d been watching one particular fig which was eye-level and visible from the dining room. Sure enough, it was purple — the thing about figs is that they get ripe overnight. Literally. They are green…green…green and then suddenly PURPLE.
As soon as I hung up the phone, I dashed outside and was dismayed to discover several figs had been eaten into and there were even a couple of skins on the ground. My “bellwether” was purple and I picked and ate it on the spot. Oh, so good! I spotted another few figs that could benefit from one more day on the tree, so I dashed inside and snagged some material to drape over them. The birds were still at the top of the tree, enjoying their feast, and there was nothing I could do to salvage the figs that were too high for me to reach. I’m sure the fruit and the birds will be gone by dusk. I was glad about one thing — the birds actually ate the entire fig! That is not always the case.
My apricot tree is unbelievably full of nearly-ripe ‘cots and I go out each day to pick up the ones that have fallen on the ground and then the ripe ones on the lower branches that I can reach. The ones on the ground almost all have been pecked where the birds have eaten the very ripest, juiciest, tastiest part of the fruit and left the rest. This drives me crazy. I wouldn’t mind if they wanted the whole thing, but noooo …. they eat only a tiny bit and leave the rest to rot.
I stand under the tree and lecture the birds — the neighbors probably think I’m crazy. I have tried to reach an understanding about who gets which ‘cots. I am okay with them eating the fruit at the top of the tree which I can’t reach anyway, but I think it’s only fair that they leave the lower branches to me. “After all,” I tell them, “I’m the one who planted the tree, I water it and feed it so I should get the fruit.” The little suckers pay absolutely no attention to me and go right ahead, flitting through the branches pecking away.
“Eat the whole thing!” I yell up to the top of the tree, “don’t just take a bite and leave the rest!” Even though I don’t speak Bird, I’m pretty sure I heard a mommy bird tell her fledgling: “Don’t you pay her no never mind. You just eat the good part. There’s lots of fruit – don’t listen to her.” “Those are MY apricots!” I yell. The LBB (Little Brown Bird) looks down on me with a beady eye. “These are God’s apricots,” she scolds, “and you’re lucky we leave any for you at all!”
Just then an apricot drops at my feet, barely missing me. “Did you throw that?” I yell. I pick it up with intention of throwing it right back, but she simply lifts her wings and glides across the yard. I watch helplessly as she lands gracefully smack in the middle of the fig tree.
Why is there never a cat around when you need one?
Oh my! A battle with the birds. I hope that they leave some for you my friend. My grandfather used to tie tinfoil and other shiny objects to the branches. I think that it worked because we always had beautiful fruit in the Summer. 🙂
Where is Lop-eared during all this commotion? He is the protector of the backyard. Maybe you need to cut back on his cat chow so he can climb those fruit trees and scare those pesky birds.
Yeah, I have FOUR cats — and not a single one will help!
I’m envious of any fruit you can harvest this early! The fig crop looks pretty good but still tiny, green and not suitable for birds or me. After a huge apricot crop last year, the apricot tree is mainly resting this year. I do use bird netting as soon as the fruit is ripe — over the parts I can reach. Have you seen the little gadget — a basket, attached to a long pole that can capture high fruit and bring it to you — nice, ripe and whole? I’ve tried the glittery foils (also old CDs hanging on an invisible fishing line — my birds are too smart to be fooled). My big, new garden thrill is that I have a mourning dove sitting on a nest of at least 2 eggs right outside my sliding glass door. I was in RI for a week and as soon as I got home, began to water plants — including the hanging basket with a fern outside the door. There was a huge “Whooosh” and a dove took off. I realized I must have disturbed a nest — built while I was away and looking like a very safe place for her until I returned. I took the opportunity to get out a step ladder and take a peek from inside the house — 2 eggs. She came right back and I’ve been very quiet and slow-moving. I hope she will stay and successfully raise her brood.
Oh, how lovely to have nest right outside on the patio! (Messy, though?) I DID get a “fruit picker” which reaches way up. In another day or two I will go out and see if I can’t get most of them — it’ll be a big year for apricot jam! Last year I think I had 36 ‘cots on the whole tree. This year it looks like hundreds — but it is now a huge tree, towering way over the house and even reaching into the neighbors’ back yard. There will be some major pruning in the fall.
Our local nurseries sell something called “bird tape”. It keeps them away from our cherries, sometimes. However, our fig trees are so prolific, I can’t ever use all of them anyway. I still have two bags (1 qt. each) of fig “goo” in the freezer from last year, and our two trees (one white and one brown turkey) are loaded now; should be ripe in another week or so.
I am less concerned about the birds than I am about people who help themselves, without permission, to pick them. We have allowed several people to pick, but some in the neighborhood evidently think it is a free for all. This is the result of planting them too near the street. It is the only place that has lots of sun, since we have many very tall shade trees.
Here is an appetizer I found which is absolutely scrumptious and very simple:
1. cut figs in half from stem to stern
2. place a small piece of brie cheese on each half
3. drizzle with honey which has been thinned with a bit of water (makes it easier to pour)
4. top with a few rosemary leaves
Once you eat one, you will want them every day.
Oh, thank you for the recipe, Victoria. T am going to try it right away — I only need the rosemary, but I’ll bet it would be good with basil, too. Here’s another, similar recipe:
1. cut figs in half long-wise
2. spread a little goat cheese
3. top with a piece of crisp bacon.
The combination of the sweet fig, the sharp goat cheese and the salty bacon is … oh, yum.
Let’s hear it for figs!!
As for the bird tape — or the netting or glittery things (see Susan’s reply above), my birds are not fooled! I tried tying shiny lids with invisible line — the birds just used them for mirrors! They preened and admired themselves before they moved on to the next bunch of grapes (back when I had grapes). You would think having FOUR cats would be some deterrent, but they are too fat and lazy to care!
Oh, silly girl…. you don’t have fruit trees in your back yard! Just face it… you have a BIRD FEEDER!!
Dang, you’re right — yet my cats still demand food from a can!