My Saturday morning stroll was wonderful - I enjoy the flowers around my deck and parking area everyday but don't walk down to what I call "the bottom garden" everyday so Sat. was special - a beautiful day to be in God's world - thyme was covered with blooms, running rose getting ready to bloom, a great new variety of lavender blooming its heart out, feverfew sporting a few blooms, yarrow etc. - birds singing- I sat in the swing with a cup of coffee and just enjoyed!!

I just happened to find a good link online, though maybe you've seen it (below). I know how heart-wrenching that is to see a bird carry-off a smaller bird or other critter, especially one you've been feeding!! We sometimes have a redtailed hawk around that goes for the squirrels and chipmunks. Fortunately, we also have crows, though, and they sometimes chase away the hawk. The hawk is beautiful, but, I wish he'd dine somewhere else! Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.wildbirds.com/feeding_blackbirds.htm

I wish we had those Carolina wrens that nest in any little spot like that! Only thing we have is the dang House wrens that just like to destroy any nest they find... Donna

Yes....you are right. I worry about them just like they were my babies...LOL. Carolina Wrens are the sweetest, and cutest of birds. The babies are adorable with their big yellow bills wide open whenever we open the door to go on the deck. This is the third year in a row they have built in this pot. It is on a plant stand in a corner between my screened in deck and the outside deck. It is positioned where it is under the eave, and I always plant a dragon wing begonia in the pot so they have a lot of coverage. I guess it is an ideal place for nesting. They always build the nest on the screened in side, so we have a birds eye view of the nest...no pun intended...LOL. They are not afraid of us at all, and after 3 years, we are the best of friends. I had a grackle nest this year too, and they made a nasty mess, unlike my little wrens, who are very clean. I have also had three broods of mockingbirds in my holly bush. Not sure if they were from the same birds, or different, but there were babies in there from late April up until just a week or so ago. I am very protective of my little wrens, and am worried sick about them until they fledge. I will miss them if they ever decide to find a new home.