I saw a baby last week as well, love to see them, but hate what they do to my garden. They leave the cactus alone for the most part, but they will try to eat the flowers. I've noticed nibbles on the jades and the orchid cactus, though. Other than spikey cactus, the only thing they don't seem to have eaten yet is anything in the mint family or butterfly weed. Everything else will at least get a taste and like a great white shark taste, the results are usually just as fatal or at the very least, quite disfiguring. And I agree that if it isn't deer, then it's gophers, moles, voles or magpies........

Fortunately, I think, turkeys are hunted pretty heavily around here, so they are people-shy. I get them in large flocks of 20 or more, but they stay out in the cornfields and rarely come close. They do come up sometimes to the edge of the chicken enclosure to check out their cousins, but always hightail it (pun intended) back to the cornfields, when I go outside. I have more problems with deer, who have no fear of people, and who think that my garden is a wonderful smorgasbord put out just for them. They come right up to the house. If I were more aggressive, IÂd pop one and fill my deep freezer. littleonefb, if the turkeys are ever a problem when you are outside, just raise your arms over your head, make a lot of noise, and charge right at them. I guarantee, they will retreat. As an added bonus, your neighbors will also stop bothering you. ngam, we have fishers up here, too. They have that weird, hump-backed loping run. Ever hear one call at night? They sound like someone screaming in the woods, like they are being skinned alive. During a visit last year my father was in a panic one morning, when he heard one during the night. The local police say that they can always tell when a new person moves in, because they eventually get a call about someone being murdered out in the woods. terryboc, that must have been quite a sight to see. IÂve yet to see a hawk make a score up close and personal, except over at the raptor center in Quechee, VT, which just isnÂt the same. With all the small, furry critters running around out there, I always find the hawks, eagles, etc. to be a welcome sight. narcnh Here is a link that might be useful: VINS Nature (Raptor) Center

What a fabulous turn out of over 4,500 visitors over the two day, first time event! If you'd like to see photos, click here and here If you made it to the event, what did you learn? What did you enjoy most?

Well, I'm going to have to read up on Orioles, and Phoebes too. Wow Lindac, a buzzard! Marlingardener, I'm happy to give your ducks a home during the summer months. It's good to share, you know! No hummers here yet, but they should remember me, so I'm hoping they show up soon. I'm very faithful to put out fresh food for them, even though I haven't planted their garden. I'm just barely moving myself after the winter we've had, and feel a little behind the times. Blueiris, I named ours Henry and Henrietta long ago. They're very comfortable dropping in (literally) and leaving again. It's always a pleasure. Oh wow. I just saw one of the little owls on the owl cam devour a small bunny, the entire hind quarters in three gulps. YIKES.