So glad this subject came up. I have my jugs somewhat north/west, behind a picket fence, some afternoon sun filters thru. Our 2nd story deck blocks the morning sun. I consider it a shaded area in the summer. I'm in Z6 and tempted to move them to the south or east side of the house, they'll get morning sun. I'm so afraid of them getting too much sun and sprouting early, but they seem to be in a frozen wasteland area. Some still have ice in them from rain we had weeks ago even after some 40-50 degree temps last week. I hate this anxious doubting newbie spot. Right now they are under 8" of snow so I'm moving them any time soon. Donna Mae

Apprently some folks are very emotionally involved in this issue. I simply have not seen any evidence that tree species are suffering from GW. I do in fact read alot of forestry journals (I am a faculty member in a foretry department at a large research university). That isn't to say that papers haven't been published that claim this to be true. Rather, the data they present doesn't actually support their hypotheses. I challenge the "doomsdayers" to show me a study that proves that tree species are suffering from human-caused GW. If you do this, I will retract my statements. As for your childish rant on my typo, I am pretty certain you knew what I meant by "impirical evidence". In any case, provide a citation for some "pirmicale, I mean empirical evidence" then. Its amazing how much hatred there is for anyone that disagrees with those who claim to "know the facts" and are enlightened on the subject of climate change. It becomes pretty obvious to any actual academic researcher that these folks are thinking with their emotions when they won't even answer the basic questions being asked and begin to make petty comments about the intelligence and/or social status of those challenging them.

Definatly not a king bird. They eat bugs not seeds I believe. Not a worbler or a towhee either. The black & white guys are back. I've tried to get pics but they are blury and too far away. They are spooky and take off when ever I try to approach. They are the size of a cardinal. They don't get along w/ the cardnials either. The cardnials chase them away from the feeder. I find this strange as they feed peafully w/ the finchs etc. The beak is light tan or yellow & very sturdy, as if it were made to crack nuts open. The towhee's beak is black. I'm stumped. Haven't seen a pic of a bird that looks anything like it yet. There are two of them so its not some strange color mutation. Any ideas?

TeatimeAnn - So nice of you to remember my little condo kitchen. Thanks! No physical progress, but some of the HOA issues have been resolved... (Sigh) It has been quite a process. We have been working with the Home Owners Association board since February to determine the scope of our project. To make a very long, sad, story short... we will be able to accomplish a lot of our remodel, but we will not be able to add certain "common area" (read as inside the walls and ceiling) items. For example, no recessed lights, no gas line for a range, no exterior kitchen vent for the range etc. I am in California, so no recessed lighting might be a challenge to meet title 24 requirements. We are just now getting copies of all the required contractor documents for the HOA and will hopefully be able to start the demo soon. I've stopped holding my breath. Once the walls are open, then we get to reapply with the HOA and see what they approve for the remodel. Then it will be off to the city to see what they have to say. What a crazy, disappointing process.