I sure hope you will post photos. I have a candle/chandelier sitting on the septic tank cover doing nothing.

And another waiting to go to the landfill.

I also sure hope I see an update if you do

Saw a downy woodpecker! Also saw a wren-size bird that has a red head, red breast. Anyone know what it is?

Possibly a purple finch, Lisa.

After thumbing through my bird book, I think that's right. Thanks, Pat.

The juncos have been going nuts in our yard. There is a group of 6-8 or so that are always about either feeding on the suet, hanging out in the Larch, or fluttering about the pyracantha. Very fun to watch. The poor downies probably wonder why all these birds are at 'their' feeder..Lol

I have yet to see a cardinal this year.

I can't believe it.....walking thru the living room...saw a flash and there was a male cardinal on the porch roof. I just said that I had not seen one this winter. Saw male and female and a nest in that tree!

quick...say "I have yet to see a fifty dollar bill this year"

sallyg said:quick...say "I have yet to see a fifty dollar bill this year"

hey, MRosie,
about the light fixtures. I also had one with some curvy parts like one that you showed. I'm not sure what to do with it. My success was taking a used hanging outdoor light fixture, from above the front door, take out the glass, and put a small dish in it. I'll get a picture when I fill it next. It's bad when it rains, the seed gets wet, but otherwise birds seem to like it.

My neighbor friend Cheryl repurposes those chandeliers for outdoor garden use by putting solar lights, the ones on little stakes, in the sockets. I have one she gave me hanging from an arched hook from one of the oak trees in the front yard. It works really well for adding a little night light in the garden.

Would appreciate photos.

I thought about filling the glass bulb covers with feed but those things are not fixed ...just set in each holder ...the squirrels- racoons would have a field day, and there would be broken glass overnight. It might be fun to fasten corn cobs in each one and watch the squirrels swing like little trapeze artists. I walk the fine line between yard " art" and way too tacky. I would love to find a good sensible feeder / critter use for these two.

I had a good time feeding the birds during the storm. The drifts on my deck were high enough that I just had to open the window and throw out seed. Had made some suet mix before the storm so threw chunks of that out too. The cats enjoyed sitting by the window watching. Once I could get out into the yard I put a tray with seed on top of the snow and smeared suet in the tree knots. Yesterday I put the rest of the suet out, was gone by the time I got home from work.

Please excuse the poor photos but they were taken from about 60' away through a double paned window. Now which kind of finch is this? There were about 3 pairs of male and females there going to town on the very old pyracantha berries. Some northern juncos were on the ground getting the finch's spitbacks too. Fun to watch though; I had to bust out the binoculars.

sounds nice, RObin.

Jeff- house finch

I bought some 'patio' seed mix today- shelled millet, shelled sunflower, and peanut chips. That oughta be like 'Birdie chex mix' to these guys. when I checked my one feeder, there was a LOT of uneaten safflower on the ground. Man, I hope some messy ones weren't just rooting in the feeder looking for something else.

Cool, thanks Sally. Maybe the birds will smoke cigars, sip cognac, and play cards while snacking on your birdie chex mix...

I don't think I've ever seen a house finch. It looks like the male coloring matches those berries - pretty

Aspen, you may have premium birds due to your wooded site, but I expect you have seen a house finch, just didn't know it.

SSG, our group may like reading Adrian Higgins's column in Thursday's Post. Would you please provide link? I'm a computer clod.