Just weighing in on the cat issue--my cat has had access to the outdoors now for 5 years and he kills at least one rodent (gopher, mouse, or rat)every day (which I find evidence of, believe me!) however in all that time I have only found evidence of one bird kill--the long feathers of a pidgeon. I realize that domestic cats are considered the biggest killers of songbirds, however, not my cat. It seems, based on a small bit of google research, that each cat tends to have his/her own "specialty" prey; some like birds, some like rodents, some even get into fishing if they have access. Now and then a cat will be a jack of all trades and kill some of each. I guess what I am saying is that if you have a rodent specialist, that's desirable and you won't have to worry so much about the songbirds. However, I know of no way to tell until your cat actually gets out there and starts to hunt, what his specialty will be. If my cat had turned out to be a songbird killer I would have kept him indoors. Regardless--I also have to agree with the above poster that said that it is rare for a cat to go after squirrels. You'll have to either trap or poison them I'm afraid.

Neil and I went over to that OTHER house and piddled around today. I cleaned the refrigerator and cooked a whole chicken. Trying to get acquainted with the layout of the kitchen. Tomorrow I'm going to clean up all the plaster dust and sit in the living room and try my best to design some shelves, and a contraption for the BIG screen TV for Neil. I picked up hamburgers and we ate in the sun room. Neil bagged up garbage. He is anxious to get moved in. I want to just get settled, don't much care where. I love Katrina's bathroom. The motion light switch works great. I took some pictures and measured our bathroom. It looks pitiful now and I don't have much of a clue about how I'm going to use the space. I bought some new books on decks and patios, bathrooms, kitchens, gardens. I tried out my new Home Depot card. I got the thing because this sweet little old man was so dear and I thought I would just cut it up when it came. When I signed up I bought 2 battery chargers and several rechargeable batteries and got them all for 5 bucks after the promotional percentage was factored in. I only use my Visa and long ago cut up all other cards. Now, I'll cut up the HD card, pay the bill when it comes and be done with it. Would that I were as handy with tools and building as Michelle. My sister can do anything. She built a beautiful fireplace surround and mantle. I can usually design it but I can't build it. Our furry little weather forecaster, General Lee, saw his shadow, bless his heart. The whole month of February is supposed to be mild, go figure. Talk about screwing up spring, our azaleas and dogwoods won't know when to bloom.

Nice owl! From the back I wouldn't have been able to identify it as an owl. It's amazing how similar raptor backs look - I guess that's a very effective camouflage pattern for a tree dweller. I wonder if sparrow backs work best in grassy environments. I can empathize with your DH slipping while trying to photograph the owl. When I was leaving my NYC neighborhood I wanted to take a photo from the sidewalk of the Siberian Elm outside my window. While backing up I tripped on the railing of the building steps next door and almost fell into the stairwell. I managed to grab the railing and pull myself back up without damaging me or the camera but it was a close call. Claire

I'd like a recommendation also, not that I can have a feeder here in Thailand. Or can I? It's certainly not done here, but after seeing konrad___far_north's cool photos I hope there's a motion-activated cam I can buy ready-made when I find a place to hang one!