Some color development on the sun exposed areas at this point is normal. At least that's what my sometimes feeble memory is serving up at this point. It's one of those many things that I don't take much notice of.

Yes, it is normal to get some peach coloration even at marble size. I would consider it a good sign.

Thanks for the replies! I'm breathing a sigh of relief!

We got some of that Bird Scare tape, and the instructions say not to put it on too early. I'm thinking it's too soon for the tape.

Suzi

Bird scare tape, for what little good it might do, will go on just before ripening.

Yeah, I don't expect that tape to do much, but the alternative is bird netting. We netted our Persimmon, and it took 3 hours to get that stuff off!

The tape worked well for the birds that were trying to build nests in our patio ceiling fans!

Suzi

The bird scare tape works great for me. The birds don't do any damage to my fruit when it is hanging in the trees.

I imagine that you need a decent breeze to make it effective. I am on a hilltop so it is always a little breezy, blowing the scare tape around.