I know someone who has tons of Cedar trees (I think Red Cedar) on a lot. ==>>> that is why they are considered highly invasive in many areas ... dont know where you are ... do us a favor.. kill them all ... dont help them invade new areas by moving them ... one of the plants.. in this world.. where free is not necessarily good ... for a very small investment.. at the link.. you could order some quality plants, delivered to your door ... i highly encourage you to use something else ... ken ps: all that said.. been there done that.. cant kill the things.. [which is part of the invasive equation] .... rip some literally out of the ground in august, not even bothering with a shovel.. and planted and didnt water them.. and they lived ... Here is a link that might be useful: list

Oh, I'm so jealous of your grosbeaks and redpolls, Pudge! I think my neighbor is feeding too well, because the grosbeaks are always hanging around there and I'm lucky if they pop by for a brief visit. I did get some Evening Grosbeaks in for a good feed this spring and again this fall. That was a thrill to spot them, as I hadn't seen them before. I haven't seen a redpoll for about 3 years now. I find them so cute. The last time I saw a flock of them was early in the spring/late winter. Do they stay around all winter? Someone told me once that they cycle...and I don't remember why...was it their migration pattern maybe? I'd be interested to know if someone had any thoughts on that. I also had my first White Breasted Nuthatch yesterday! Another cutie and fun to watch...very vocal. He was still here this evening. RE: salt and birds...I'm thinking they probably require certain amounts naturally and find it somewhere, but with bird feeder fast-food that contains salt, they might eat alot of it because its easy to get and therefore get too much salt. Sound familiar? ie. potato chips! Gil, I wonder if the nuthatches would like your suet bars? Toots

About the Robins...Apparently in the late 80's-early 90's, the landscaping company that was contracted to landscape the newly-built homes that would later become my neighborhood, used a very large type of ornamental bush that produces heavy yields of small red berries; I see this bush planted everywhere (except my house) on and around my street. In fact, I see it all over Jefferson County, Colorado. These bushes are evergreen and fruit is in bountiful supply in the winter, it seems. Therefore, I see Robins all throughout the winter here, certainly not in full force, but still, I've seen quite a few at a time feast on these berries in the cold in January and February...... Anyway, just my observations here in Colorado. Thanks, Don B. This post was edited by Don_in_Colorado on Mon, Mar 11, 13 at 4:00

OH, I see what you mean. This must be more of a tech thing, using the camera to it's limits? They want to see every tip of every feather and give most of the credit to the camera? I just think that pic is a work of art, I think the "soft edges" enhances the beauty of the birds and the flowers. May I print it and hang it? I could send you a few very bad pictures of my little pond, never seem to be able to get the brids that love it so much to pose for me. Wax wings, Indigos, Tanagers, Orioles, Towhees, Cardinals, Gold Finches, Grosbeaks, Dees, Robins, all make a very colorful splash along with all the flowers blooming around it and the goldies IN it..