Once again I got absorbed in a link and forgot to come back and post. I read this the other day and really like the idea and am going to participate. It does help a bit that the weather has been a bit nicer to sit out with the binoculars [once I found them]. I really like how the list has links to each bird that includes their song. That helped me decide between a couple of the birds I see on a regular basis. Thanks Suzy. It might snow a bit tomorrow and actually that does also bring out some birds I might not see otherwise.

HU Brute I feel the same way !1 I absolutlly love watching the amny birds that come in our yard but for the same reason stopped buying seeds. I did throw in a few sunflowers seeds in one area but seems like someone is eating them just as they begin to come up !! Hmmm. Maybe I will do what the other poster said maybe just once a week or so..I do find that just being outside in the morning looking at my gardening efforts ( Smile) and watching and listening to the different birds and other creatures very calming.I alway's enjoy seeing other members pics of birds ( and other wildlife ) and the information that they provide. Really perks up my day !! Rainy

I attract mantis and hummingbirds to my yard. Havent seen a dead hummingbird and my plants have less bugs on them. I just hang my feeders from shepherds hooks. The mantis seem to have a problem climbing them. I have seen a hb in a spiderweb once. As for children being scared of the mantis, I take my sons outside, pick up whatever they are afraid of (as long as it isnt dangerous) and show them that they dont hurt anything. My son was afraid of cicada shells. He now has a collection. He is 4. Maybe a mix of red pepper and garlic spray will deter the mantis from the feeder area. Birds dont mind it, bugs hate it. I use it on my roses to keep the bugs off.

DeeÂdeeÂdee, Yes your feathered friends may look sweet and innocent now but let us look a few short months into the future when your newly adopted family begins to sport their gang colors. Have you not noticed the ever increasing pitch to their call, if you record it and play it backwards it says "The higher destruction of the garden the bigger the buffet" over and over again!! Just think of yourself this August lounging on your deck loftily thinking of your feathered family when suddenly you hear from the tree tops "OH MY GODÂthatÂs her the voyeur Â.and dee, I donÂt have the heart to tell you what comes nextÂI just hope you have a good laundry detergent. kt