The swallowtail kites are not likely after your baby mockers, earlybird. They eat on the wing and usually eat large insects, small snakes, lizards and things they snatch out of the treetops. They are without a doubt my favorite bird of prey, having the most beautiful markings and expressive faces of any, to my mind. And here is a shot of a STK eating...something GREEN...while flying. (Hopefully a Cuban treefrog!) Your wood stork photos are beautiful! Magnificent big ol' birds! Ya gotta love 'em! And brown thrashers are very common throughout most of the state. They are first cousins to mockingbirds. But many people never notice them, and since they don't normally come to feeders, they can be overlooked. (Mine have been coming to my feeders, however, ever since I started to use a mix with fruits and nuts in it.) Marcia

I've been following this thread and am so glad the Phoebe got to nest in a safe place. I had one which built on top of a downspout elbow, just under the deck; she had a couple of broods per year until two seasons ago, when she disappeared before eggs were laid. For the past couple of days I've seen a Phoebe on the deck railing, calling "fee-bee" over and over. Perhaps a new male looking for a mate? I had the deck re-done so the old, many-times-reused nest is gone. But I'm hoping to build a platform with a small ledge around the edge and mount it just under the deck. I'd love to know what size (dimensions) you decided to make yours; don't want to make mine too small. On another note: after the original Phoebe didn't return to the nest on the downspout, some enterprising Carolina Wrens came along and "renovated" the existing nest. They had four babies, all of which I found all on the cement walkway under the deck a couple of days after they hatched. House Wrens had thrown them out. Two were dead. I put the nest in a small can, built up the nesting materials in the front to prevent the remaining babies from falling out again -- also laid foam pads down below, just in case. Next day, the surviving two were on the ground again. Thankfully they lived, and with the help of a rehabber, I raised them successfully. Oh, those House Wrens!!! P.S. - I just looked up Eastern Phoebe in my Stokes bird book. It says that at least 25% of Phoebe nests are parasitized by cowbirds. So watch that nest carefully for an intruder egg.

The Towhees around here-East Tennessee-certainly sing the "Drink" part of their song, also the "Tea" part-sometimes written as towhee. This am I heard "Drink, drink, drink....long pause...your tea" Then just "drink drink..." I think it's a little later in the year when I hear the "tea" or "towhee" part alone. Right now I have an Eastern Wood Peewee that repeats "pee-oh-wee" over & over & it's kinda mournful sounding. He sings from a cedar tree in a small cemetary across the road & it seems fitting somehow. Susan

Cawaps, nice dining room. The patchwork tile and the photo art make the whole room! In your second one, it is amazing how green Comfort Gray looks! PBH, I really like the nursery. It is cute and fun even in black and white. It is an awesome idea for someone who doesn't want to find out the baby's sex in advance, and then add accent colors after the baby is born. They say babies love black/white contrast patterns because they can see them before their vision fully develops. Great artwork! Crl, love the western room. It definitely references the West without all the cliche stuff. I can see that room looking right in many kinds of houses. Beverly, that is my favorite room of yours so far. Love that oyster mirror, and the cabinet, side table, and rug. It looks very liveable. Patrick, thanks for the suggestion, that would be a good challenge. I am keeping a list of suggestions, and just randomly picking one each week. All ideas are welcome! Kittycatpaws, I like your room. The wallpaper is really cool, but I do think it would give me a headache :-)