Well it turns out that while I was enjoying the cool breezy days in Flagstaff, we acquired some new neighbors. And they are greedy, loud and obnoxious. They ate all the existing tomatoes I had beautifully ripening up on my bushes, then proceeded to chew up the leaves and plants themselves. Obviously someone was raised in a barn. Meet the Grackles:
Photo courtesy of http://biology.usgs.gov/status_trends/catalog.do?item=102
I would have taken a photo of them myself but I was too busy throwing half eaten tomatoes at their little bird brains. Listen up Mr. Grackle. You can live in my trees, but stay away from my garden. You have a bird bath and a feeder in the back for cryin out loud! I load that damn feeder THREE TIMES A DAY. I even provided for someone to load it for me while I was gone. Now I understand that maybe you showed up during the dinner rush and just couldn't wait but could I have gotten a please first? You know "Heyyy neighb, a little hungry here and with that damn salmonella scare it's hard for a grackle like me to get a tomato at the market. So maybe I could just have one of yours? Please?"
I would have been all "Sure - have one or two - would you like some salt with them? Maybe a light vinaigrette?" But you had to go and be all cookie monster on them. For sake of the arguement, here, Mr. Grackle, is the feeder:
The doves won't care if you belly up to the bar. Just SHARE! 
I would have been all "Sure - have one or two - would you like some salt with them? Maybe a light vinaigrette?" But you had to go and be all cookie monster on them. For sake of the arguement, here, Mr. Grackle, is the feeder:
The doves won't care if you belly up to the bar. Just SHARE! 
You do have beautiful photos! And yes, I checked up on you a few times here during your absence, and am glad you're back! It sounds like a great trip. We are "enjoying" life in the 90*s here (georgia) but it's mighty fine by the pool. Somehow, it doesn't bother the kids- they want to play outside and ride their bikes non-stop. =)
Your backyard is gorgeous!