Just before he left, Art had one last project to do. Remember how the birds were eating our papayas? We've looked at all the neighbors' papaya trees and they don't have the same problem we do. We know why. We have the sweetest tree in the neighborhood!
It's true. I really think we do. It's been the sweetest papayas we've had so far and even better than the ones from the farmers markets.
The birds know it and are determined to have it. Art is just as determined to keep his fruit. The birds don't just eat the ripe ones. They've been pecking at ALL of them to see if any might be ready even though the fruit is still green. The last straw came when they actually pecked at the thick stem of the tiny baby papaya and let it drop to the ground. How nasty and greedy is that?
Thank you, everybody for your recommendations about using the bird net. We didn't think it would work because the holes in the net are too big and the birds would still be able to peck right through. Therefore, Art had the bright idea to make a cover using the sort of material they use for landscaping. Well... we happened to have some in the tool shed.
First he had me sew a channel into the top and bottom to create a covering for the papayas so that the birds couldn't see the fruit.
Then he got on a ladder and tied the covering on it. I hope it works. The birds can't see the fruit well, but then neither can we so we'll have to keep going up the ladder to check.
Before he left, Art checked his handiwork one last time. "Don't worry," he told mom. "The birds need to perch in order to eat it. This will work."
After he left, she chuckled and said, "I don't think so."
