Fat Tail Rats

I put in spring bulbs early this morning. 

Then I added a layer of chicken wire. I feel like I've imprisoned the flowers. 

I could feel the beady little squirrel eyes watching. When I put the chicken wire down I think I heard: "Challenge accepted, human. Marty! Call for reinforcements - this is a squirrel all-call situation!" 

Last year it was an ongoing struggle - and this was without the added incentive of fresh bulbs. They came for the birdseed and stayed to bury their black walnuts in my vegetable pots. It was irritating enough having them scurry around disrupting the birds, but then they started coming back for their nuts around the time that I was starting my summer vegetables. That is when I first bought chicken wire. Prior to that I was that crazy neighborhood lady who would go running out on the deck in house slippers, waving a broomstick at "those damn varmints!" I really impressed everyone with that. Chicken wire helped although I still had to "dissuade" some from interest in my herbs pots for a while. 

Now, bulbs and wire and the winter stretching ahead. Who will win? Spring will tell. 

This guy does not need my bulbs.