It’s a jungle out there! Parts of my back yard become a jungle at this time of year. It’s a bit boggy because we have a small trickle of a stream that bisects our four acres. Skunk cabbage grows green and lush until August.

Vines wander.

Ferns abound.

And little black monkeys climb in the trees.

Yes, it’s true. Myrtle and the Fantastic Five visited the back yard yesterday morning. They figured out how to come over the fence. BUT, not only did they use my yard as as a jungle gym, Myrtle and one of the cubs were up on my deck! Too close for comfort—especially since only a screen door was between them and the furiously barking Alex and Hailey. In her defense, I did have a bird feeder hanging from the railing of the deck, which she knocked off into the yard below. So, no more feeding the birds from the deck.

P.S. Myrtle is much bigger when you are right up next to her rather than just seeing her in the yard. yikes. 

If the summer’s going to be any bit as humid as Monday and Tuesday were, jungle won’t be the only thing on my mind.  Everything’s real green back there, and those monkeys add a nice touch. You remember to take those before and after (well the before part) pics yesterday?

Holy crow that is close… I surprised that she will come on the deck especially with the dogs there and all…

What are the large trees that the cubs are climbing? The leaves look like oak leaves; however, I don’t believe I have ever seen an oak that large.

We still don’t have leaves on our trees; some are just beginning to break bud and there are tiny leaves emerging.