Hi Patsy, I have some pickerel weed, would you like to trade? Thanks, Jean recipesaver2 jeanss@hughes.net

Gary, I should have realized you were talking about keas, the only species of parrot known to have nocturnal habits. I have seen infra-videos of them several times. Just never heard about the blood sucking bits. Here is what Wikipedia says, for those interested: "An omnivore, the Kea feeds on more than 40 plant species (Tab. 1), beetle larva, other birds (including shearwater chicks) and mammals (including sheep and rabbits).[17][3] The Kea has also taken advantage of human garbage and "gifts" of food.[21] In captivity, the bird is fond of butter, nuts, apples, carrots, grapes, mangoes, figs, bread, dairy products, ground meat and pasta" (This diet sounds about right for captive parrots of many species, actually, leaving out the butter.) Here is a bit more info: "There had been a long-running controversy about whether the Kea preys on sheep, with the earliest reports appearing in 1867. An article by naturalist G.R. Marriner in 1906, describing substantial anecdotal evidence of these attacks, became the accepted view of the bird's habits.[12] Several prominent members of the scientific community concluded that the rumours were true, although others were not convinced. However, in 1962 animal specialist J.R. Jackson concluded that the bird may attack sick or injured sheep, especially if it mistook them for dead, but that it was not a significant predator.[22] Finally, in 1993, its nocturnal assaults were captured on video,[3], proving that at least some Kea will attack and feed on healthy sheep. The video confirmed what many scientists had long suspected, that the Kea uses its powerful curved beak and claws to rip through the layer of wool and eat the fat from the back of the animal. Though the Kea does not directly kill the sheep, death can result from blood poisoning or accidents suffered by animals trying to escape." This would not seem to be aberrant behavior, but rather a learned one from a bird that is highly intelligent and very adaptable. Not being a true predator, but definitely being a carrion eater, it obviously discovered sheep were easy targets, and it didn't have to wait around until they died. It was also noted that they steal items from tourists backpacks and camping gear, being curious and liking to make off with bright objects. I guess I should be happy that I only have wintering red-shouldered hawks to contend with in my garden. Kea: Close up of Kea's formidable beak, which is quite different than most parrots'. And lastly...I can't believe you didn't comment on my picture above of the blood-sucking parrot that is currently visiting my birdfeeder, Gary??? Shucks. I thought maybe it would give you a smile. Marcia

FWIW, I understand that's a bit of a myth. Ants WILL harvest the honeydew from aphids & maybe even move some around, but they do not bring them - the aphids find their food all on their own & reproduce rapidly & ants are simply taking advantage of an opportunity. So wouldn't dealing w/ the aphids, rather than ants be more useful? I have a number of fruit trees & grapevines that are always full of ants(& lizards too) & I've never had enough aphid damage to amount to much of anything - not even when the plants were small. I generally allow Nature to take its course & the aphid infestations are soon being gobbled up by insect predators - & I've often observed aphid 'mummies' that were infected by a fungus that kills them.

Perhaps a juvenile Golden Tegu? These lizards can get big (3 foot long body alone) and like the monitor lizards, are invasive and established in Florida - especially around the Tampa and Miami areas. They cause the same type of destruction as monitor lizards, too. And you can still find them being sold as pets! I can't find a picture of a juvie, but maybe this picture will help you determine if this is what you saw, although it looks more yellow than orange to me. Here is a link that might be useful: Golden Tegu