wow, thanks for the kind comments, folks! this spot was lawn 12 months ago. I have learned more on this forum than I would have in 10 years of trial and error. it was getting like a jungle in june, crowded and shading each other, and mildew. I thinned the stragglers, and moved a lot of stuff, and I weed and deadhead ruthlessly. for what it's worth, I put bonemeal on this bed last fall, and fish emulsion on it this past spring. other than that, I have never fed or fertilized it. other than the rootballs that came in pots from the nursery with new plants, it is all organic, as far as I know. I dig really deep holes (about 18") and then turn around and backfill them to plant out or move a plant, so that the soil is all loose underneath it. I pour stones in the hole, too, if I have some. I was indeed already very late for work from watching them all morning, so I had to split. sarah, I'll be watching. I've heard that females can double or even triple-brood in a season. last year, I had 2 distinct batches of different age/development juvies here. although I get infrequent sightings starting in early april, the 'regulars' show up here in july. I wonder if females might double-brood in 2 different locations? flowerpower, he must have been painting in the rufous' territory. ? here's some more pics, cat. the stump bed. (there was a tree stump there) sorry about the garbage cans. I moved them the day after I made this pic. that's moonvine climbing that ground wire. the fence bed in feb or march. I was making the bed twice as wide as last august. early june the new look chain link only fence bed. they're tearing down the houses next door, and are taking the wooden fence and the garage, too, I guess. they tore the house down today while I was at work.

konrad: Thanks. I've noticed quite a few red-tails sitting in trees on the side of Route 1 in Chester County, PA (Route 1 is a 4-lane lightly used road here). The hawks stare into the grass median, and when they see something, they are quite focused on their prey. In fact, I had to slow down to miss one that was flying into the median. Claire: I remember reading a post here about bluebirds going to a window to ask for food. That was when I first started watching the birds. Well, I thought it was someone's imagination--until I realized it wasn't. There was a time when a mother mockingbird kept screaming at me until I chased a cat from near her nest. When I was feeding the birds regularly, the white-throats, upon seeing me, would jump up from the brush, land in the bushes, and sing to me. Probably the most amusing was when the male and female red-bellied woodpeckers--whom I always call red and rosie--landed in a tree on the side of the house and started shouting at me. I looked at the feeder with mixed nuts and saw it was empty. Once I filled it with their mixed nuts (they like the white ones and always search for them), they left me alone and ate their nuts. Here is something you may wish to try with mockingbirds. While in the yard, I may discover a mockingbird nest by observing the parents repeatedly going towards the same general area. The parents will first land on a nearby branch and look at me. This is where I must obey their rule. When the parent looks at me, I must turn away from the parent. I usually turn my back to them. Then, the parent heads for the nest and I hear the happy chirp of the chicks being fed. I don't know if this is a learned mockingbird trait or if it is instinct. However, the parent will fly away unless I look away while they go to the nest. I've been obeying their rule for years now.

Feather, I'm also into photography. (Altho you can't tell it by the photos I am posting on this forum!! LOL) I just got a new zoom lens and I'm learning how to use it now. I hope to get lots of GOOD photos of birds, someday soon! I'm sorry you suffer from carpal tunnel. I have it too, but mildly enough that I can still draw. I'm planning on doing some bird drawings with graphite pencil, colored pencil, and water color. Those are my mediums of choice these days (I gave up oils and acrylics years ago). Did you do your artwork from photos or just from memory? I have to have a model or photo or I can't seem to get things right and I doubt that I can get a bird to sit still long enough to draw it! LOL Re: the hawks Thanks so much everyone for your input. I'm just not sure. I have seen photos of juvie red-tailed hawks that had lots of spots on their backs. To me the eyes don't look as hooded as the eyes of a red-shouldered hawk, but I would have to bow to your opinions because I've never seen one in person, just going by the photos I've seen! I'm on the lookout for more hawks...there's just something so cool about the raptors!!

Hi Gail I have not been on in a while, so glad that your hawks are bonding...such a nice site to see... My RT's have moved down the street I do not see them as often but they do still come around...they are building the nest elsewhere as I have observed them carrying sticks .. This winter I have not been out much with my Hubby being sick I have been otherwise occupied....but things are looking up and I have started getting out and can not wait until spring and watching the RT's is a sure sign....will keep you posted...hopefully the pair will be successful this year...Claire