It's definitely the bean beetle. This one above has more spots, but after seeing one spot turn to two, it might just be they get older and they get more spots. I've also gone at it with the squash bugs and they are a type of stink bug, they are armored and fairly large. I have only once seen a squash bug fly, didn't know they had wings, but I searched every squash bug, stink bug, I could find, so I am aware of the stink bug you are referring only by picture, none found in the yard yet. I didn't take a picture because I am fairly sure it's the been beetle, just don't know why they are dive bombing my tomatoes. Do they like cannas, lilies, or elephant ears? I hope not, the only bean I planted was nubbed down by a goold ole' rabbit/mole/deer/groundhog/squirrel. I have to say the rabbits are hiding better this year, unlike the groundhog and the squirrel. Well, anyways I found my culprit, it's definitely a red bean beetle, now just to find out what he's eating. I hope not my castor bean plant, isn't it poisonous to bugs too? They are only flying around the tomatoes and those flowers I mentioned above, plus the honeysuckle bush.

For three days last week a large flock of Red Wings turned over the leaves in my back yard. There were so many of them that it looked as if the ground were moving with all the leaves being tossed. They never touched my feeders or the suet. This was the first time I've ever noticed them up here on the ridge. Normally they are down by the creek about a half mile away. Two more firsts this winter. In late January there was a Towhee on my BOSS feeder. Saw it only once. If it came back I missed it. Last year I saw one under the Suet feeder picking up pieces but this is the first I've ever seen on the feeder. 20 years ago they were all over the place but now that there are no empty lots left I very seldom see any. There just aren't enough woods left for them. Another first I could do without, Grackles. Never had them before and they will empty out a feeder amazingly fast. Wish they would move on.

Certainly not a wild bird like the blackbird - these are not good pets. This site, The Best Pet Birds For Kids says that generally they don't recommend that children under 12 years old be given pet birds, and they give a lot of reasons for that. "You should not get a pet bird for your child, if: 1) Your child is under the age of 12 and will be the birdâÂÂs sole care taker. Some children donâÂÂt understand the consequences of their actions, especially if they forget to give the pet bird food or water. Animal cruelty should not be practiced so that a child can learn responsibility the hard way. 2) Your child has no money to take the pet bird to an avian veterinarian if it gets sick. Parents who donâÂÂt allow pet birds that are sick to be taken to the vet because they donâÂÂt want to spend the money teach the child a number of bad lessons. If the parent or child is unable or unwilling to take to the pet bird to a vet, then donâÂÂt get the pet bird. 3) If the child is too busy with extracurricular activities to spend at least one to two hours hanging out with the pet bird. 4) If the child is not willing to check out websites or read magazines and books about a pet bird before adopting one. 5) If the child has trouble controlling his or her emotions. Prey animals do not respond well to physical outbursts and will fly or bite." They do list nine birds that are suitable for kids under the right circumstances. Claire This post was edited by claire on Thu, Mar 6, 14 at 12:53

i have been told that first year males are almost indentical to the females. But in the second year they start getting darker and start with a yellow patch that evolves to red and the bright shiny black color by the end of the second year, i see some here that are still mottled brown with just a yellow spot on their wings and some streaked brown black with a orange to light red spot. the males seem more aggressive than the females and i see a few males try the tube feeder or the suet rack.