Patty:-))))))))))) Finally! Finally I get to sit down and see this. Oh how I wish I was able to use my computer at work. I saw your post on my cell and couldn't pull it up. So I rushed home and sat my Mac down on my lap, just to see what surprise you had for me. What a wonderful birthday gift:-) You know me and my LOVE for Jades along with Citrus. And not only that, but to see such a most beautiful quaint area to be at peace with ones self is just amazing Patty! Boy, do you know how to set up a nice area. I LOVE those pots, those plants, chairs, sunlight, pool, that container citrus, the palms, the whole thing. I feel like I could almost walk through the screen and sit there. I can almost hear the birds singing in the morning with all that color surrounding you. You are so sweet to do this for me. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and the beauty you add to this forum. Thank you so much. I needed a smile before I retired and you did a darn good job at that. I hope you get into container because we are going to need each other:-) Many hugs to you Patty. By the way, my Mom loves your pics too. Mike:-0)

I'm pretty sure this is a first year female RB Grosbeak. A family was born here this year. Just checked Cornell, and I think she should be on her way to South America. Doubt that she would listen to me, but does anyone still have any RBGs around? Of course, I could be wrong and maybe she's a hybrid Lowes/HD sparrow, but she's the only one of her kind here. Jane This post was edited by corunum on Thu, Oct 16, 14 at 17:25

my sister has tons of birds around her place and many eat off the ground under the seed feeders. she just about gave up on feeding birds cause the stray cats wound lay under her shrubs and bushes and pounce on the birds. She found some green enameled fence at home depot and put 4 green metal fence posts in the ground and wraped the fence around them. it did not take long for the birds to get used to it and the green color was not very noticeable except close up because it blended in with the surrounding plants. she can still fill the seed feeders from a short step ladder. and says she has not lost any birds lately.

Sounds like you have great habitat for many birds, towhees included. If you learn their song & it's an easy one "Drink your tea" & then just "Tea" or "Towhee", you should be able to see them more often. They love to hang out under feeders & do that chicken scratch shuffle they do. I prefer the old name "Rufous-sided Towhee" as it describes the bird. Susan