I finally got around to "gimp-ing" these pics for upload. This shot shows the remains of the very dead looking sheath that produced the very nice flowers that follow. The color is off slightly from what I expected since the emerging buds were so dark red. Every single crispy brown sheath that I had written off as gone is now producing these lovely flowers. Several new growths have green sheaths starting that I now fully expect to turn brown like these did. I am telling you that these were brown, dried and crispy, and looked completely empty when transilluminated. Sadly though beautiful these flowers lack the sweet fragrance of the Potinara that it turns out is not visible in the background of this flower picture. I had to add the picture of my Den atroviolaceum because the flowers are so full of spotted coolness, though it is admittedly off topic as it has no sheaths. This last picture is of a present I thought I did not want, but got anyway and am now glad I did. The same thoughtful daughter that gave me the plant for father's day gave me the feline for Christmas. He is known as Yoda, so named because he has the oddest ability to fold his ears back and make his eyes all squinty when his head is rubbed which makes him look exactly like the movie character of the same name. He also terrorizes the Cymbidiums that live closest to the ground and this weekend tipped over an Onc. that was on it's way to the "Kevin bin". For some reason the leaves seemed to be taunting him and he went at the plant in earnest. I think that he fancies himself to be a real tiger. On an up note, immediately following the Oncidium Cat-astrophy, Yoda was entertained by one bit of bark from that pot for what seemed like several hours which allowed me to leave my guard post and finish some potting and watering. Ending lesson for me: I will never again give up on a brown sheath.

Marcia Im sure they will be comming your way soon. There were so many last night it looked as if a cloud was flying around my yard..lol I have 2 hawks roosting in the neighbors tree with a nest .. I can hear babies but cant ee ven with bnoculars! Cora Im with you on the lilacs and especially with out allergies to crape mrytles I wish they grew here. I will try to talk to the robins and give them directions to your house! Maybe tomarrow or later today I can catch a few on camera but I was unprepared yesterday. As for the snow I would love to visit it but gotta say I erally dont miss it much anymore just the family that is still there. Headed back out to do some more work! Donna

They wouldn't, ..they smarten up and hide the nest better next time.

I have had robins eat seed from the ground and they have also tried to eat suet. I felt kind of bad, the robin was flapping his wings trying to stay up to get a bite of suet. He didn't figure out to hang on with his feet. I've had a mocking bird eat from the suet feeder too. Sue