Very Nice! And I love those gunnera leaves in the background.

Birdsong: I can certainly understand why you feel the way you do. In fact, I agree with your views 100%. I am saddened that we are all in the position of losing our tempers because this issue is so near and dear to our hearts, and we always feel that we are losing the battle (especially when facing the approaching season of Chemlawn ads). I think I pointed out to Dil in one post why we all feel as strongly as we do: . . . I have often seen posts on this board seeking information on how to lure and feed deer, raccoons, etc. only to later see the same people here seeking a solution when the natural reaction has created a nuisance. . . . so you can see why people develop strong opinions about this issue. However, after spending a couple of years reading, I believe that we all have a unique opportunity here. This kind of board gives us the opportunity to debate these ideas online for many people to read. I like to think that there are other people out there, like Dil (and probably each one of us at one time or another), who are similarly fertile ground. I think that when we do lose our tempers and get sharper than we want to, our argument loses power. I'm as guilty as anyone of losing my temper in this thread, but the amazing thing about Dil is that he hung in there. I personally think that takes a pretty big person . . . not to mention that Dil has promised to try to explain his new understanding to his neighbors. He won't win them all over, but he may convince a few. What more can we ask for? Afterall, what we are asking for is a paradigm shift. Our culture values making money and personal enjoyment above and beyond all else. So, we are asking for deeply-rooted cultural ideals to change. That won't happen overnight. Maybe I'm being way too optimistic, but I think if people did understand the common sense of it, some of them wouldn't do the things they do. The only way to hope to change people's opinions is to debate them respectfully. So, while I understand where your anger comes from, I hope you will rethink your approach. You obviously understand the issue clearly and have some valuable insight to add.

We were in St. Augustine, FL last year. We golfed at a course that had lots of ponds and a resident Oprey. It had a nest with 2 babies on top of a light pole next to the first hole of the course. I spotted it diving into the water to get dinner. Cool looking birds!

We just had a brood of nine ducklings pull from a sewer drain last weekend. Below is a pic of the officer who rescued them. The sanctuary is about a ten minute drive from my home. It's open from dawn to dusk, though I've been there a few times after dark on bat walks and such. It's very cool to be there at dust with hundreds of crows come in for the evening to sleep. See link below for photos. When our KT Casey came to town three years ago I took her there. Jodi- Here is a link that might be useful: Pics of San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary