I did a Google search for Irises & Roses and Gardenweb. Found it on the first hit. As for the camera. Okay let me just say that I'm terrible with technology. I can use my computer at work because I've got the best tech support in the world, but I'm intimidated by the fancier cell phones, blackberries, etc. I didn't open my digital camera until a full year after it was given to me for Christmas. I used it while on vacation two weeks ago but haven't tried to download the images to my computer. The instruction manual alone is as thick as my thumb. Why is it necessary to have to take a class in order to use a fricken camera? Of course my partner says I'm terrible with anything outside of my normal routine. I've got an Irish Lap Harp (another X-Mas gift) that has been sitting in its case along with the instruction book and cd for three years. I even bought an electronic tuner - not that I know how to use it. The reason I like gardening is because the technology doesn't keep changing every time I blink. Okay, you have to stay on top of the latest chemicals and creative watering techniques, but the rest is a pretty static skill. And I don't follow landscape fads. Just my two cents worth, Patrick

Well, since the Common Raven is considered a songbird (the largest in North America), I guess grackles are small in comparison. Be glad you don't have a raven landing on your feeder. I have another possible take on your crows-with-snake event. The crow broods are fledging now in my neighborhood and they're flying all around with non-stop nasal cawing (I flew to this tree! What do I do now? Where is everybody? I'm hungry, feed me!). Maybe your crow is delivering the snake lecture to the kids - "This long skinny floppy thing is dangerous! Watch out! This is how to deal with it!" Just a thought. Claire

I guess the story is not over...as I said, little TUTI left at 1:55pm. At about 4:10pm, I heard a rustle in the birdless box (I left the nest there for now). The HOWR FRANTICALLY started to de-construct the nest. Grabbing nest material--fur, straw, grass, leaves--out of the hole! It was in a frenzy!!! It would grab something and almost throw itself at the hole to get the material out! If it went to grab a chunk of fur too big to take out, it pulled and pulled at it till it broke it down to a size that would go out the hole. Fast and furious. I did catch this frenzy on tape so I'll be putting that online in the next few days. I closed off the box for today. I need some rest. I can't imagine how such a little bird can do what I saw it do: peck eggs and throw them out, peck chicks and throw them out, attack almost-fledged chicks, and de-construct a HUGE TUTI nest! Blessings, Linda...

My heart goes out to Tim's family. I was hopeful that Tim would once again have a miracle and have more time. According to what I read online, he was buried yesterday. The family is asking for donations to their church. When my dad passed we'd asked for donations to local blood banks in his name, which is something anyone can do to honor Tim. I don't doubt that while Tim was going through his leukemia he used a lot of blood.. and if it was anything like when my dad needed it, blood is in short supply and some days very hard to come by. There were days my dad & I would wait for hours for a bag to be pulled out of thin air. If you are able to donate blood or platelets you may be saving the life of someone's loved one. I wish I could personally thank everyone that donated blood that my dad got. For those that want to leave Sarah & family a message, you can go to the link below. It's his page at the funeral home. Tim's obituary at News record.com GREENSBORO On this day we don't mourn the death of a man but celebrate the life of a hero. Timothy Wayne Carter, of Greensboro, passed away Monday, January 21, 2008, at the age of 50, at Wesley Long Hospital. Funeral services will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, January 24, at First Baptist Church of High Point, 405 N. Main Street. Tim spent his entire life thinking of everyone but himself. One of Tim's biggest hobbies included touching the lives of others. Tim started with the District 13 Fire Department Station 55 in Greensboro, N.C., in 1980 and later joined Stokesdale Fire Department Station 12 in Stokesdale and then finally retired from Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire Department Stations 22 and 24 in Greensboro. Tim was also one of the original members of G.A.S.P- The Guilford Association of Scuba Personnel, where he was a rescue scuba diver for many years. Included in his many devoted years as a fireman, Tim also possessed a certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, level D. Aside from spending time saving lives, Tim worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company for 18 years as well as working as a photographer for the Kernersville News and Record. To forever cherish his memory, Tim leaves behind his loving wife of 13 years, Sarah Clapp Carter; his sister and best friend, Vickie Carter of Belews Creek; his two daughters, Shauna Carter and her son, Timothy Jorden Carter of Belews Creek and Jennifer Carter and her son, Landon Xavier Carter of Yanceyville, who were the joy of his life. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lou Carter Whitener; grandmother, Victoria Carter and aunt Flora Owens. Visitation for friends and family celebrating Tim's life will be held from 6:30 until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23, at Cumby Family Funeral Service, 1015 Eastchester Drive in High Point. The family would like to thank Dr. Peter R. Ennever and his staff from the Oncology Department at Wesley Long Hospital for their diligent efforts in Tims's fight against Leukemia. The family would also like to thank Dr. Gwynn D. Long, Dr. Tanya Helms and Dr. Nelson Chao with the Duke Medical Center Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Team in Durham. This wonderful group of doctors and nurses made it possible for Tim to spend a few more years with his family and beloved grandsons. All their efforts helped make his transition to Heaven more peaceful and pain free. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of High Point Music Ministry, 405 N. Main Street, High Point, NC 27260. Arrangements by Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point. Online condolences may be made at www.cumbyfuneral.com Published in the News Record on 1/23/2008.