Mary, I really like that because it is sturdier than the platform feeders that use screening, which often gets nasty and holes from much use. You could clean that in the dishwasher after a good hand wash. I have some small animal cage lids around. What did you use and how did you hook the chain to the lid? Regarding copyright - put a copyright note with your name and date on every photo. That should cause some pause. If I read their policy correctly they are not claiming the right to own your photos, but the right to use your copyrighted materials. From an owner's standpoint that most likely makes no difference, since many of us might want a company to seek permission before use. They won't have to, but at least if you put a copyright mark on your photo you will get credit as it being your photo if they do decide to use it. I am seriously contemplating leaving GW completely because I don't want my emails to get on mailing lists and I don't like the fact that when I log on with my name and password it redirects my information to an unsecure site. iV is also associated with way too many affiliate sites for my liking. Sometimes there comes a point where I am not comfortable using a site that could prove to be a huge annoyance later, when I weigh it against how much I use the site now, which is very little. Also, on the bird forum I found an opt-out link for the site where you can supposedly instruct iV to not sell or give away your email addresses, but we all know how that goes. Sometimes just the act of opting out of something puts your email on the expensive (more valuable) list, as it is a comfirmation that there really is a person behind the email. Most internet security instructions say to igmore opt-outs, but since this opt-out is directly affilated and put out by iV maybe it is safer, but then again maybe not. They ARE mass marketers and information about our usage on the site is their main business. They will track us: what we read, how many times we visit, what we post, and what we buy. Data mining. I get rid of data miner files every week, do I want more on purpose? It all might mean nothing as well. To each his own. Take care, CT

Yup, gotta see a photo or specific details. Doesn't sound like bees but... Also, where are you exactly too would help narrow down once you provide good details and/or photo. If not, I could send photos of something to try and narrow it down. How many bees and what kind of feed was it? Did the feed have beetle larvae in it and what you were really looking at was Vespula wasps eating the larvae? A stretch but until I see/hear more, too hard to say. Gord

Schoolhouse, I know what you mean - 50 lbs. of black oil seed is about $28 with tax. Between the birds and the cats, I will soon be on mac and cheese!! lol. But they are entertaining. I was expecting to be working from home, so placed the feeder outside of my office window! Had my 1st goldfinch today. He must of come a long way, as he just got right in and chowed down for about 15 minutes!! Nancy.

Any feeder in a storm, eh? I have had feeders out for many a year, and I have seen a lot of things come and go, some of which aren't classified as seed eaters (Carolina wrens VERY often, mockers from time to time, etc) but I would be thrilled to have warblers stop by my feeders. It would make it SO much easier to see and enjoy them than the way I have to do it now...craning my head back so far it feels like my neck will break just to catch a passing glimpse of them WAY up in the trees. Of course, sometimes I will get lucky and they will show up at my birdbaths for a few weeks. That's always fun. My favorite was a pair of parulas who both would jump into the deepest part of the bath, and pop straight up out again. They looked to be completely submerging themselves in a fast dunk and then rocketing straight up again! Normally the little guys don't care for the deep water and will stand on the edge or on a rock and just lean forward to dip their chests in, but this pair were like Olympic divers! (I gave them 10's consistently.) The wonderful thing about nature is no matter how much you learn, there are still so many surprises out there. *going to get up tomorrow HOPING for a black throated blue or an ORIOLE...better yet!...at my feeder!!* Marcia