Thursday, June 2, 2011

Monkey business...... in my garden




A troop of vervet monkeys regularly visits my garden. I love watching the cute babies and their playful antics. They're inquisitive and love exploring. The adults constantly groom one another, a sign of affection and respect. They're friendly and intelligent, only spending time where they feel safe and where they can expect to find food.






Our property borders a nature reserve and I’ve gotten used to the noise of monkeys running across the roof,  it’s the route they have taken for years, they cross the road to other properties roaming the area searching for food.




Monkeys are actually very good for the garden eating insects that can become pests such as termites, moths, worms, grubs under the bark of trees and many others that the birds can't get to. They also eat fruit from indigenous trees ensuring seed dispersal and many seeds rely on the monkeys digestive system to break down the hard outer cover allowing for easy germination, they brush against flowers assisting with pollination and are natural pruners playing in the trees breaking dead branches.




They are wonderful creatures; I consider them my garden helpers!



11 comments:

  1. i would trade my squirrels for monkeys in a heartbeat!! how do you get anything done? i'd be parked by a window with binaculars watching them...

    how kewl! thanks for sharing. the baby is precious!

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  2. How cute....would you please send a few for my garden? The grandkids would love seeing them.

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  3. How cool! Thank you for this peek at the monkeys and into your garden!

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  4. Oh how darling - they're delightful hon! I'd spend all my time watching them!

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  5. Yep, I would welcome the monkeys too. Like you I would enjoy watching them do the monkey daily things. Alas the only visitors to my yard larger than little birds are the Hadedas.... not very exciting (although the dogs thinks they are!).

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  6. Wow, 'in the garden' sure does take on a different meaning at your house - how fun!

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  7. Fascinating and most interesting. These little guys are entertaining garden helpers. How good is that!? Thank you for sharing.

    Have a super great sewing and stitching day.

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  8. Oh my gosh! How cool is that! I would love to see them in person! Wow oh wow!
    xx, shell

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  9. Che carini!!!
    Nel giardino....io li ho sempre visti al giardino...zoologico....
    Ciao dall'Italia

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  10. Enjoyed your post...would swop the baboons on our farm for your monkeys anyday! ...are you going to come to the quilt show in stellenbosch next month? We are exhibiting our handpainted buttons there...should be interesting...

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