Sorry, I didn't mean to be so sensitive. I guess I was just having a bad day. In any case, the picture WAS taken in sunlight, and with a low end digital camera at that. I also don't want to " beat a dead horse" but if you want a comparision picture of the same flower (but as I remember, NOT the same exact bloom) you can see one that was taken inside the house, on the kitchen counter under flourescent light, on a ebay listing where I am selling seeds. (I hope that reference doesn't violate the no sell rules; I delibertly did not give the exact reference. If you want it you can privately email me and I will give it to you.) I would guess however, altho I really don't remember, that an automatic flash was used for the inside picture. In the interests of any future situation (and because I can still learn!) can you recommend how one can take a picture and avoid the problem? (Assuming I am using a relatively cheap camera and that camera's are not my thing.) It is in all of our interests that our pictures be as accurate representations as possible! Amaryllislvr

All are good tips to deal with Field Bindweed (a.k.a. Morning Glory). Here's my 2cents worth: The most effective way to deal with any plant (either to make it grow or to kill it) is to understand how it propagates itself. One of the reasons that Bindweed is so invasive (and frustrating) is that it really badly wants to "go forth and multiply". Bindweed is very successful at all of the requirements for survival: 1)It's a long-lived perennial, 2) it propagates both by vegetation and by seed 3)the seeds are viable for a long time in the soil (I've heard 30 years) 4) I've seen a picture of the root system being over 20 feet deep 5) it will re-sprout a new plant at each "node" along the root and stem 6)it's quite drought tolerant 7) it is happy in ANY kind of soil (clay, sand, rocks, loam... But it likes disrupted soil the best. All this is very discouraging, but understanding Bindweed's method of reproduction helps control it. Here's what's been successful for me in "managing" Bindweed in my yard, and in the other yards that I've worked in. I've delt with many acres of Bindweed, and now only have to carry a small bottle of glyphosate in the spring and remind the Bindweed who's boss. ;) 1) First line of attack is to manage the existing plants, and their root systems that sprout from each node when you pull off the top. I've tried many ways to deal with the "parent" plant (pulling, smothering, tilling, burning, vinegar, salt, solarizing with plastic, etc.). But the most effective way that I've found is that it's important to use an herbicide that trans-locates the herbicide through the root system (therefore killing the roots along with the vegetative top growth; remember that Bindweed sprouts from each node including on the root system). Glyphosate (the effective ingredient in Roundup) is one of the more successful herbicides that trans-locates through the root system. There are a few "tricks" in using glyphosate. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and mix the glyphosate using the instructions for "shrubs/vines" (in other words, mix it as strong as possible). Glyphosate is easily neutralized by contaminates, so make sure you don't use dirty water (from a pond, etc.), don't add any other chemical unless it specifies that it's compatable, and make sure that you don't use a metal canister to mix/spray/store it in (I use plastic). Having said that, I add a few "secret ingredients". Glyphosate works best in slightly acid pH water. Most of our mountain states have alkaline soils, and therefore alkaline water. Therefore, I add a bit of vinegar (about a tablespoon/gal) to acidify the water. The next ingredient that I add is a surfactant (which some of the herbicides already have in them). A surfactant breaks down the surface tension on the leaf, and allows the herbicide to spread over the surface therefore being more available to be absorbed (also called a spreader/sticker). One of the easiest surfactants is liquid dish soap. A few drops is plenty. The final "secret" ingredient is a bit of water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Grow. It is extremely important for the plant that you want to kill is "actively green and growing". Fertilizer helps with this. Keep in mind that glyphosate is a NON SELECTIVE herbicide. It will kill any plant, but it has to touch the leaves (or other part of the plant that has chlorophyll in it (some plants have chlorophyll in their trunks/stems). Glyphosate is neutralized in the soil and therefore is NOT a soil contaminate/sterilizer. Be careful of chemical drift (the wind blowing the spray to other plants), tracking glyphosate on your shoes, tracking via pets, rain, etc. If the Bindweed is amoung other plants, I use a plastic drinking cup that has the bottom cut out. I pull the Bindweed through the bottom of the cup, and then spray into the cup therefore reducing the possibility of the herbicide drifting onto other plants. I let this dry, and then remove the cup. I also have heard of using a paint brush and painting the leaves, and also "foaming" the soap into bubbles (remember the soap?) and placing the glyphosate-infused bubbles on the plant. It's hard to be exact when you're spraying, so try these other options. It is most effective to use glyphosate in the fall when the plant is pulling nutrients into their roots getting ready for winter. But, Bindweed takes persistence, so use it whenever you can. Another tip: DON'T use any herbicide when the temps. will be over 80degrees!!! Most all chemical herbicides will volatilize above 80 degrees and turn into a gas and drift onto other plants. :( 2) Now we have to deal with the seeds! A pre-emergent herbicide (such as Preen) will help, but you're only putting off the germination of a 30 year viable seed. I've chosen to allow them to germinate and then continue to kill the "parent" plant. Do this by pulling new seedlings and continuing to use glyphosate to kill the more mature plants. Remember, each time you till or work the soil, you're bringing up seeds to the surface so that they will germinate. It will seem like a never-ending battle, but you can win! There's an old saying that it takes 7 years to manage one year's worth of laziness by allowing a plant to reseed. Don't give up! Sorry for the long reply. Hope this helps!

I ended up binding the wing but once that was done she continued to fall over which lead me to believe there is an issue with her leg as well. Yes, it's a her and she is a female Baltimore Oriole. :) Even with her renewed energy, eating like a little pig (wax worms, mealworms, inchworms and fruits of all kinds) and using the bathroom, I was concerned about the extent of her damage and brought her to the New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth, MA. What a fabulous place. If you live near by, stop in for a visit. You can watch them taking care of the animals which are there until they are released back into the wild. Very cool. I have successfully raised baby birds, healed wounds and mended broken wings but I have never dealt with the tipping and leg damage so I thought I would hand her over to the pros. She's going to get x-rays and all kinds of good stuff so she can be treated if that is possible. They will keep me updated and promised to do everything in their power to make her well and release her back into the wild, keeping euthanasia as the absolute last option. I am okay with that. I hate the idea of her stuck in captivity. It's up there with being mauled by my dog quite frankly. I just thought you guys might like an update. I can't thank you enough for all your help. Here is a link that might be useful: New England Wildlife Center

Our trip was quick, only 7 days. I'm unable to give you day by day detail as I did not keep a diary. (sorry) We visited shrines, temples, took a Tokyo harbor tour in a boat (Symphony). Hiroshima was meaningful, but not sure if that would work for you with your plan to go to Okinawa. If your kids are older (like teens at least), it would be educational for them. We arrived in Japan by flying into Haneda and took the train to the Via Inn/Ooimachi. It was a fine place for our first night. The rooms were a bit on the small side, but not a problem. Next morning we went to a restaurant downstairs which had a wide range of breakfast items which was good for that first morning. After that first night in Tokyo, we transferred to the ryokan Tsurugata in Kurashiki, Okayama, mentioned above where we spent two nights. It really is a charming place. I recall it was a little pricey but included breakfast and dinner. We spent two nights there. Other places we stayed were less expensive, so it evened out somewhat, and it was worth the expense to be in that traditional setting. After that we went to the thatched roof village, Miyama, for one night. We then stayed one night at the Granvia Hotel in Kyoto, which is at the train station. Very nice hotel. From there we went to the Disneyland resort (Hilton Tokyo Bay) so the Disney-lovers could get their fill of Disney Sea theme park. Maybe not too interesting to you, but I must share with you that we visited an elementary school since one of us had a contact there. It was really fun to see a Japanese classroom, and the kids were thrilled to have us as visitors. If you are out shopping and see a Daiso store, it's a good place to stop in to pick up odds and ends affordably, maybe little souvenirs. Not joking here: check 7-11 for affordable food. They have fresh, good food available, meals. (I know, sounds wrong, but they are better in Japan than in the US.) It can save you quite a bit if you can pick up some meals there. If anyone in your group cannot function without coffee, take a couple of packets of instant coffee. Every place but one had coffee. Here's the Fushimi-Inari shrine with over 1,000 gates. It's reachable from Kyoto and is very interesting, amazing actually. The fox is significant to Shinto believers, so there are a few statues at the Fushimi-Inari shrine. Very charming. Bullet train (shinkansen). Comfortable, clean, well maintained. (Local trains are more crowded, often packed. When you think no more can fit in the car, many more come in and everyone bunches up! You get to know your fellow travelers!) The shrines offer an opportunity to write a special message like a prayer on these small wood plaques. At shrines you can purchase inexpensively small, beautiful charms of all sorts to help you get a wife, heal your knee, make more money--anything you want. Fabric with the message inside. I bought several as gifts but neglected to make a note of what each one was for and so never gifted them. Last, the Golden Pavilion, near Kyoto