melissatwa's Journal, 06 Oct 20

Yum on those apples. What other variety is there there?  

Well, the other three are Fuji, Honey Crisp and Gala. These particular Galas are getting the thumbs down from everyone here. An apple I'm longing for is a Gravenstein. They are so rare to find, but I love how they are so crunchy and tart.  

Good idea to taste test. Until recently we went out and picked apples, bushels of them. Made pies and jelly. It was really fun. That woodpecker is huge. Stay safe and strong. 

If you ever get a chance to buy ARKANSAS BLACKS, buy ‘em.  

Galas are hit and miss here. I adore honeycrisp, they are my favorite apple. Also like the Jonagolds. 

Love the taste test idea, Melissa! My fam all love the galas that grow here in upstate NY. We go through so many of them every week. And that birdy is a big boy. So awesome that you were able to snap such a good pic. Hope you all are well, love. 💖 

Love galas, jonagolds, pink lady, cox orange. We go on our annual apple picking spree in the valley this weekend. Can’t wait!! 

Carol, I see so many apple trees in our neighborhood not being harvested. I want to do some "midnight gardening" or... Perhaps it would be better if I asked if they would care if I took some. 😁 I have never heard of those kind, Kenna. I do miss the old fashioned apple as we used to have when I was a kid. I loved Johnathan apples with the bright red lines running throughout! I even remember red delicious that were so good, and now they all seem sour and soft. Washington has great apples, but I still love to be a bit picky and find the best of what is offered!  

NewnameMM, my feeders are right outside my kitchen window, but I still rarely get nice pictures. This guy is so big and bright my camera did OK! 😁 Wifey, enjoy your picking! I think northern apples are the tastiest! They are for sure a wonderful fruit!  

gorgeous bird and apples! 

Their skin is such a dark red it almost looks black. The skins are tough— not an apple to bite into but I slice in wedges and they are so firm, crisp and juicy and they make unbelievable pies. this year I woN’t get any and probably for many years to come.— California is on fire and my beloved Apple growing area has burned to the ground. Hundreds of acres of old apple trees.  

How cool!!! 

That's terrible about the apple orchard. I'm not n Southern Calif now and it's very hazey. The apples look delicious 😋 

Chunky apple sauce with cinnamon and sweetener makes my mouth water. It's because of my teeth being pulled forced fast makes me think food. 

Awesome woodpecker melissa! We occassionally get one hammering away on the snag at the edge of our driveway. Amazing the noise they generate! 💙 

Dino is so beautiful ... 

I have never heard of jonagolds but I have never seen anyone eat apples like my husband. Too bad he isn't there to vote. I showed him the text of the 2 different woodpeckers for size reference. :)  

Kenna, that is so sad about the orchards. 😢 Thanks all!!! sk, they can be so rowdy can't they?! Sometimes a flicker thinks he will drill into our metal chimney top! Wow! That makes a racket!! As for "Dino" this is only the third appearance I have ever seen in our yard in six years. It was so special! I hope he returns soon!! They seem to stay to deep woods, and we live in a subdivision... Even though we have a lot of space and trees around.  

Princess, jonagolds are a cross of golden delicious and the lovely old Jonathan apples. They are huge and normally very juicy and crisp! I'll be going back to get a big box today. I wish you and David could be here to have some! I thought about posting the little Downey woodpecker for scale, so the contrast to this boy could be seen, but it was such an unimpressive picture! 😁 Just imagine this being about the size of a 15 robins... Or half an eagle or... 200 humming birds! 😁  

Petra, I agree! I adore a great apple. It is one of my favorite fruits, but a poor one is just dreadful. I think they have become less consistently good in the last many years. Maybe I just have a poor memory. ❤️