Faux woodpecker granary

The faux granary log has not been a smashing success with the local California Acorn Woodpeckers, but it's not like they ignore it either.

I took this picture back in the spring, when the redhead was kind enough to call the woodpeckers to my attention.

Actually, I had pretty much forgotten the experiment, but my wife had not.

She had esthetic concerns about the granary log's contribution of our patio decor.

The granary does attract woodpeckers now and then, but it is not an irresistible attraction.

It needs improvement, like a few robotic decoys that periodically tap and go rukka- rukka.

And it should be a lot bigger and hollow with a diversion chute at the bottom so you can harvest bushels of acorns.

We have bird friendly coffee, but how about bird-harvested acorns stone milled to flour?

The challenge would be shelling, blanching, and milling this wholesome product.

Birders would seem a logical source of volunteer labor, but let's face it, they're too easily distracted.

It may sound like a hair-brained scheme, but think sea monkeys and pet rocks, or Douglas fir needle tea.

If it could happen anywhere, Californian would be the place.