This morning was overcast, somewhat cool but humid. Still it seemed like a good day to get started picking the mulberries that are ripening quickly. I ambitiously headed out to the big tree with my container in hand only to be attacked by a hoard of voracious mosquitoes. The mulberries really need to be picked before they are wasted and only the bugs (and perhaps the roving chickens) get to enjoy them.
I returned to the house and traded my tee shirt for a long sleeved denim shirt. Then added my beekeepers headgear and veil. My hands were the only skin exposed. I picked about a quart of berries before I gave up. Even though the nasty biters couldn't have a snack on my blood, their incessant buzzing was beyond annoying.
I am thinking the best option now is the old "spread the table cloths on the ground, shake the tree, fold up the table cloths and take the loot elsewhere to be cleaned and sorted" approach is going to be required this year. Since the destiny of the berries is juice for jelly, appearance isn't as important as quantity and I will never have enough quantity if the mosquitoes have their way!
I ended up with only one bite and it was inflicted early in the battle.
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