thanks, folks. in cat's photo, I can see how that little spot on its throat is the beginning of that full ruby gorget. cool. there is another one hanging around, too, smaller with a clean grey throat. just this morning I was thinking its beak looked huge, catwhiskas. these 2 chase each other and play and wait for each other to feed. I'll try to get some more pics of them. I actually saw one of them on the hummzinger saucer feeder today. that was a 'first' this year.

Adorable Kenn! I LOVE that Titmouse, we don't get them around here. Hey Camera question now. I dropped my S2IS from the windowsill onto the floor for the 2nd time, bad I know but this time it didn't fare as well as the first time. I have a seam that has opened up a bit but it still works. I am just worried that if I get moisture in there at all it will be done for. I was planning on getting the teleconverter you have for my S2 but since I broke it I was thinking of getting a used S3 or S5 since the new superzooms that are out just don't seem to cut it for me. I tried the SX10 IS and returned it, would love to try the SX1 IS though but it is a little more pricey. Anyway in looking over the S3 and S5 it seems the S5 is much slower on the continous picture mode than the S3 or S2 are, do you find that the case? That is the main reason I returned the SX10 cause of the slow continous pic mode since I use that so often. Do you notice any advances that the S5 has over the S3. I do like the gridline thing for landscapes but don't have to have it. Thanks for any input you can give me. Donna

Hi Lisa, I really know nothing about bird illness. The only thing I could think of was the relatively sudden change of air temperature (it's been the same here in Massachusetts - unseasonably COLD - but I bet it's even colder where you are). I did read that sudden changes in air temperature can affect birds' energy levels (a study done in Scotland). But I don't know whether the way your bird looks could be explained by something like that. Our birds here are still pretty lively and doing the usual things. Is the bird eating or drinking? Is it losing feathers? I wish that I could be more helpful. Would the Cornell Lab of Ornithology site have information? They seem to be a good place to refer to. Best of luck, I know you care so much about the birds.

No she was driven out by this pair just about 2 1/2 years ago... The female does not want anything to do with me but the Male he is pretty mello and lets me come right up to him... Last year the pair did not produce, and this year I believe they had two but I have a picture of the female and she has something in her mouth by the neck and it has yellow feet, so I think that one young one did not survive and she took it out of the nest.. I have so many pictures...lol Claire