Right. It's actually fairly easy to diagnose what's eating your roses. Rodents chew at a 45 degree angle, making their gnawing appear as if you've deliberately pruned the cane. Those include rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice. Deer, horses, cows and other larger animals which eat plants rip the growth off instead of precisely "cutting" it with their teeth because of the way the teeth meet. So, if the damage is a precise, 45 degree angle cut, you have some sort of rodent. If it's higher up in the plant where you'd think a rabbit couldn't reach, suspect squirrels, rats or mice. If it's ripped off and there is potential for deer, that's likely the culprit. Don't expect the prickles to prevent horses, cows, deer, etc., from eating roses. For the most part, they don't care. Prickles are probably less of a "defense" mechanism, than one which assists them in "climbing" into trees to get to the light. Gophers actually eat the roots of the plant. Ground squirrels can, also. Moles and voles mostly damage the plants by loosening the soil around their roots, interrupting their ability to anchor themselves and take up water. Kim

I wish we had that weekend free, it looks like a wonderful event.

Look for robins. I used to work nights and walked home from the bus stop. In the darkest areas the dd things would sit on the ground and make noises. After stumbling over several I did learn to shuffle my feet. First time I kicked one by accident it flew up the front of my leg. I am surprised my heart didn't stop beating I was so scared. I did look for any hurt bird after it became daylight but did not find any.

If it were spring, I'd suggest a grouse. During mating and nesting season, the male grouse, during a display, opens and then snaps his wings against his body. The time spacings between beats shortens with each "flap" and lessens in intensity. The first beat is felt more than it is heard. If you had been sleeping, you first sensation is a pressure wave on your chest. Its a wierd feeling. But, at this time of year, maybe it is an owl.