Let me introduce to you my juniper bonsai. I got him last December from a vendor at the mall. I couldn’t resist, they were so cute and I thought it was pretty inexpensive. So I bought this one and a serissa bonsai that is extremely tempermental and resides on a sunny windowsill inside. Juniper bonsai, however, is doing well on the balcony and has been outside since I got him except when the temps dropped below freezing.

Tonight I was watching a tufted titmouse spend a little more time on the balcony than usual — usually they pick out a peanut and take off. This one hopped onto Juniper and fussed about a little. Now I know why the bonsai rocks have been scattering and disappearing. Was that tufted titmouse actually stashing food?

Turns out he was and he packed a peanut in those rocks nicely. It made me laugh out loud when I saw it.

Not a great picture — I’ve been meaning to buy a new camera for months now — but good enough I suppose. I think he’s also been putting them into the dwarf alberta spruce in the corner. I’ll have to see when it disappears. I do tend to wait to refill the feeder so the birds don’t rely only on my balcony for their dining. I guess stashing some peanuts is pretty smart.

Quick update: there is indeed a peanut stuck in Albert’s top branches nestled firmly within the needles. If only that titmouse would add a few more, we wouldn’t have to decorate for Christmas!