wannabeherbal's Blog

Guardian of the Garden
Jun 15, 2007 | 2:26 PM PST
Tags: scarecrow , bell peppers , crows

My bell peppers were doing amazing.  They were growing, the leaves were all so very healthy, and the lovely white flowers had died and were followed by even lovelier deep green peppers.  Tiny peppers covered my six plants and were growing into what promised to be wonderful-tasting vegetables for salads, fajitas, stuffed peppers, and so many other delectable meals.

 I was at work on Wednesday when I got the call.  My wife was on the other end of the line, speaking in hushed and hurried tones.  At first I thought she had gone into labor (she's now less than two weeks away), but then her words registered in my mind: there was a crow in the garden.  She had scared it away from its pilfered meal, but not until it had done its damage.  Large jagged holes now gaped in the still tender flesh of the young peppers, revealing the barely formed seeds inside.  She told me that if I wanted to save the rest of our growing vegetables, I should take measures to ensure their safety.

When I got home, I did the only thing I could think to do short of harming the would-be veggie thieves: I hired a superhero. That's right.  I called upon the Guardian of Gardens.  His powers of bird-ridding were given to him when he was stung by a magical jellyfish three years ago, and discovered when a crow tried to snatch him up to feed its young.  (He's only 10 inches tall, after all)

He now stands guard over my garden.  Since Wednesday, not a single crow or blackbird has dared enter the domain protected by this truly magnificent protector of the small garden.  He allowed me to take these pictures of him.  (I think he's hoping for some more gigs in the future.)

Ok, maybe YOU'RE not scared of him, but I assure you: the crows are.

and what's more, I think this is pretty good for my first attempt at doll making.  I sewed him myself.

 

and of course, any real superhero needs a cape.  Check out his emblem.  I think that sends a pretty strong message to the unwanted crows.

OH YEAH!  Check out that last picture - on the right is a raspberry plant a friend of ours gave us the other day.  mmmmmm...raspberries.