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When Harry Met Sally
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hen Harry met Sally at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, it was love at first sight! These beautiful birds were brought to the Shelter because their neighbors weren’t fans of their operatic singing, despite their beautiful voices! Peacocks or Peafowl are one of the loudest creatures and make a very loud meowing sound. These birds have a variety of songs they sing and can even notify you when rain is near! Most of us know Peacocks for their beautiful colors, specifically on the male birds like Harry. These bird’s feathers have microscopic crystal-like structures that reflect different wavelengths of light depending on how they’re spaced resulting in the bright fluorescent colors we see on Harry and Sally. As a Peahen (female), Sally has special sensors on her feather crown that allow her to feel vibrations of a possible mate that may be located far away from her. Peacocks are the national bird of India, and they are known to symbolize compassion, benevolence, knowledge, and kindness. Peacocks are very social animals and prefer to be in a group. In fact, they need companionship and if left without a partner they will feel heartbroken. Peacocks are the largest flying bird and in captivity are known to live longer than 20 years! We are looking for a special home for these two where they can sing their hearts away and relax in a safe environment. We are also looking for Peacock rescue groups who might be able to take Harry and Sally. If you or someone you know is interested in these special birds, please visit the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 1001 Rodriguez St. or call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n ••• Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter: Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076 SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
By Tony Tomeo
lants notice it before people do. They respond accordingly. Vegetative growth slows or stops completely. Most remaining bloom does likewise. Fruit and seed finish developing. Less fresh produce is available from the garden. Boston ivy and Japanese maples might already be changing color. They all know that the days are shorter and nights are cooler. Warm season produce gets less abundant as summer ends because most is fruit, which contain seed. Most plants naturally finish with seed production prior to autumn. Most cool season produce is truly vegetative and lacking seed. It naturally grows during autumn or winter, with the (“fruitless”) intention of blooming and fruiting during the following season. It seems as if warm season vegetables were replacing cool season vegetables from last winter only a few months ago. Perhaps they were. That process began about half a year ago, but never completely stops. Various phases of various vegetables start and finish at various times. Now, some warm season vegetables might continue to produce until frost. Corn is of those warm season vegetables that remain productive. Seed for the last phase would not have been too late if it got into the garden two weeks ago, but will take time to produce. Broccoli seed sown at the about same time could be the first of the cool season vegetables in the garden. However, it is likely more practical to plant seedlings a bit later. Seed for cabbage and cauliflower can go into the garden now. Alternatively, it should do as well in flats or cell packs, for
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Cucumbers grow in spring or autumn.
later planting. This procedure delays their occupation of garden space, which might still be occupied by late warm season produce. Besides, it is easier to defend tiny seedlings in flats or cell packs from slugs, snails, birds and insects. For big and leafy cool season produce, it may be more practical to purchase seedlings in cell packs rather seed. Since only a few seedlings of each type are needed, they are not too much more expensive than seed. However, confinement to cell packs disfigures root vegetables, such as beets and carrots. Their seed can get into the garden in two weeks to a month. ••• Boston ivy t is the ‘ivy’ of ivy league schools. Nonetheless, Boston ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata, is neither an ivy, nor indigenous to Boston. It is from eastern Asia, and is related to grape vines. It is related to Virginia creeper too, which is actually native to Boston, Virginia and the eastern half of North America. It has become popular locally for freeway sound walls. Boston ivy is an aggressive Boston ivy gets colorful clinging vine that before autumn. can climb to the top of a ten story building. Unfortunately, there are a few problems with that. It ruins wooden or painted surfaces, so can only climb concrete or masonry. It climbs over windows if it gets the chance. Thicket growth is difficult to remove if it is too high to reach. On rare occasion, mice can nest in it. Otherwise, Boston ivy works well on freeways. Although deciduous, its vines discourage graffiti. Even while bare, its texture helps to muffle sound. Its exquisite autumn foliar color might begin to develop as early as late summer, and lingers until frost. Boston ivy is quite resilient to neglect. Shabby plants generate fresh new growth after major winter pruning. n ••• Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at tonytomeo.com.
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www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / September 15th 2021 / 31
