Becky when you look down into the open calyx the ripe seeds will be very black. the calyx will usually be much more open and will at least be starting to turn brown and somewhat dry also. Keep in mind that Black & Blue is notorious for cross pollinating and the plants may or may not come true to the parent depending on what other salvias have been grown nearby. I usually have a 20-30% chance of my seedlings coming true. Two years ago I had 1 out of 4 plants to come true. This year I had two plants out of 6 come true. Your best bet is to take cuttings of your existing plants if you want to insure that you have additional B%B salvias for next year. I collect the seed and sow it b/c I get a thrill out of seeing what will develop but I also take cuttings of my existing plants and even purchase new ones from time to time just to insure that I always have at least 2 or 3 true B&Bs. I am sure Rich will offer more precise information for you on seed collecting. Penny

Kendra, I have found much the same. Even those who know what HOSP are responsible for, seem to not bother taking action. Then when you tell someone about trapping or nest removal, some begin to defend the HOSP saying it's inhumane or evil. I understand where you're coming from on the 16 year old kid. In fact, I'm 17 myself! I've educated myself incredibly. I try to do everything in my power to eliminate HOSP and help the natives. Since he is young like myself, teaching him the way early could lead him into the hobby! I worry about people like myself not existing in this generation. I know plenty of people my age who are complete idiots and won't contribute to society. They make us good kids look bad. Not saying everyone should be a birder. But I wish more people like myself were around. Sorry to hear it Lisa. As long as new bluebirders come along and the advice is carried out, we can keep the hobby long term. My main concern is development. It continues as human population expands. We do our best. Sometimes it just isn't enough ~Tim~

Karen, What a bad boy!!! But if there's food around, the female should be able to raise the babies despite his behavior, right? I think my first nest of babies was raised largely on suet! I keep the suet and worms in the same feeder, so when the worms are gone they go right to suet. Do you have an alternate food source? And of course the bugs should be pretty plentiful by now too... Good luck Karen! Ann

Well, having an absent father turned out to be the least of Mrs. Blue's worries. A few nights ago something got into the box and removed the eggs ... clean as a whistle. They were probably a week from hatching. One morning the latch on the door was turned, when I opened the box to check it out, the nest was tilted slightly forward, eggs gone. No evidence anywhere of anything. It was just like Scottie had "beamed them up". A little later the male was there checking it all out. It just breaks my heart. It had to be something with hands to turn the latch, remove the eggs, and close the door back. The only thing it could have been is a raccoon or a human. In this new neighborhood, I just cannot believe a raccoon is anywhere around. The male and the female come back to eat every morning, but I guess they're both off raising the previous brood now. They never have brought them back to feed. I removed the nest, even though it looks like it's never been touched ... since there were no babies trampling it down. It's actually in good enough shape that if I put it back she might use it, IF she gets the urge to raise another family this season. What do you think? Do you think that this was probably her last brood for the season?