Gazania, that is so smart and so thoughtful for the ground feeders. When I was feeding the birds, the ground feeders were only getting whatever was dropped. Yours is a much better way to feed them. And it probably keeps the seed relatively dry too. Nice!! Emma, your picture and notice made me laugh out loud. Thanks. This is from a trip you took? I bet it was wonderful.

A painted chicken at my wife's uncle's house.

Glenda, do you or anyone you know have a photo software program such as Paint Shop Pro? It can be relatively inexpensive on sale ($15-25), compared to the high end programs, especially if it isn't the latest edition. The date could easily and quickly be cloned out of your photo. My husband frequently takes tilted photos, and I also love the tool that corrects that within a few seconds, with just a couple of clicks. (ETA: Of course the program does a lot of other photo tasks, too!)

I was surprised earlier in the week to see that Bewick's Wrens had nested in our birch birdhouse. They were very secretive, and I only chanced upon the two parents and the begging young once, and have yet to see or hear them there again even though the house is in plain view. They must have begun nesting around the end of last year--which is surprisingly early. They don't usually begin nesting until February-March.