Actually I mean apple tree, but what does honesty mean in the UK these days?! OK, putting the election to one side, here are some cute photos of the non-stop activity/glut fest occurring in our John Downie crab apple tree at the moment.
Usually the fruit lasts till January and we see lots of different members of the thrush family in the tree: redwings, fieldfares, song thrushes and mistle thrushes.
I don’t think they will be getting a look in this year though, because the squirrels and wood pigeons have moved in, big time.
The only member of Turdidae visiting so far are blackbirds.
However, this is the first year I’ve seen magpies raiding the fruit.
The squirrels have been pretty entertaining with their acrobatics so far and with the supply of easy to reach apples dwindling every day, I am looking forward to increasingly risky manoeuvres over the next week.
And in case anyone is feeling put out about the misleading title, here is an example of some Stripping the Willow for your enjoyment.
Frogend dweller's Blog 
I always feel guilty when I see our imported squirrels stealing from the locals. Cute, but voracious!
Oh yes, definitely! There are red squirrels fairly close by in Thetford forest I am told, but I’ve never seen one.
I’ve read that they are driving the reds out, a crying shame. I always think of Potter’s Squirrel Nutkin with his lovely tufted ears.
Great set of shots, especially the capture of the wood pigeon, beak wide open!
Thanks Tina. A luck shot!
Nobody seems to care about lying leaders these days. Do you ever feel you have landed on the wrong planet? Fabulous photos as usual Allison.
I feel so depressed now and no way out, everything has been mis-played … hence cute animals. Thx Liz.
These photos are great. I felt like I was up in the tree with those cute little critters.
Thanks Flower. Total immersion is a great result! They do love hiding at the back.
Great picture
Love your fake news
Thx. Shame our real news isn’t happier.
I’ve been watching the squirrels in my new place, frolicking among the branches of the cypress trees. They’ve been feasting on the seed balls, and now the branches are completely bare of seeds, except at the very tips of the branches. It’s easy to tell exactly where the squirrels’ courage ran out!
They are addictive to watch and so clever. I suppose that some squirrels are braver than others, but I imagine that that is self limiting … ‘cos as they get fatter, they reach less far!
Your images are absolutely beautiful and make me want to plant another crab apple. Mine is still young and doesn’t entertain that many creatures yet. Wishing you a merry christmas 🙂