blue jay family

the arrival of the squirrel

breaks up the party

— haiku by Jerry Ball, Walnut Creek

Dear Gary:

My friend has a large lemon tree with a steady supply of lemons. As he watches a lemon ripen, readying for the harvest, something takes it just as it's perfect for the picking! Every time.

What could this be? There is no evidence of rind on the ground, no obvious squirrel activity, no public access in a private yard.

He has taken to harvesting the lemons early ...

Holly for my Berkeley friend

Dear Holly:

Have your friend check his lemons first thing in the morning and just before dark so he can figure out if the lemons disappear at night or in the day. If something takes it at night, it's probably roof rats. If during the day, probably squirrels.

He should also lean over his back fence and take a big sniff to see if his neighbors are baking lemon pies.

Dear Gary:

I guess fall is officially here. The juncos have arrived. The weather up north must be getting colder.

Carmen Konkle, Alamo

Dear Carmen:

Funny how everyone has their own official "fall is finally here" bird species, isn't it? Mine's a flicker.

Cat Assistance

  • The recession hasn't just affected people — their pets are affected as well. According to the ASPCA, more than 3 million cats and kittens
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    end up in shelters each year. To help keep cats in their loving homes, the East Bay SPCA-Oakland has teamed up with makers of Fresh Step Litter and 9 Lives cat food to offer cat food and litter help to cat owners most in need.

    Cat Assistance Program: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at East Bay SPCA-Oakland, 8323 Baldwin St., Oakland, cat owners in need of assistance can visit the SPCA and receive a free Cat Assistance Kit. The free kits include a litter pan, scoop and cat toys, along with free-product coupons for litter and cat food. One free kit will be given per household while supplies last.

    An "Ask the Vet" session will also take place at the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where Dr. Barbara Jones from East Bay SPCA will offer free, one-on-one cat care consultations.

    Call 510-569-0702 for more details.

    Autumn Celebration

  • Join the Muir Heritage Land Trust from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the historic McMahon-Telfer Building, 604 Ferry Street, Martinez, to celebrate and learn more about your backyard wildlands. Toast the season with complimentary food and wine. Learn more about MHLT's recently completed Fernandez Ranch transformation.

    Hear directly from those who helped turn the dream of restoration and public access into reality. Share in the excitement of the Land Trust's Franklin Canyon acquisition project (www.muirheritagelandtrust.org).

    A final note

  • I live in Vancouver, B.C., and every day, just before sunset, millions of our crows head back to their ancient breeding ground at Burnaby Lake by the McDonalds on Willingdon. It is such an amazing sight to see. Even from my home in Surrey, the crows will all rise up at the same time every day and head back north and west to go home.

    I saved a crow once in front of our office building that somehow had rendered himself incapable of flying. I took him the Wildlife Rescue at Burnaby Lake and they were amazed that I did not get swarmed by the dozen or so crows that watched me put their mate into a box with a blanket and then into the car. Very intelligent birds and I love and admire them a great deal. (Cher, Vancouver, B.C.)