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07-21-2012, 05:03 PM
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#10741
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,715
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Yesterday did the weekly food shopping with Mom. Then, DD came over (to Mom's) with her kids (3.5, 0.9) and we went to a nearby petting zoo. Everyone had a good time, except for a creepy guy, but we ran him off.
Today went to see the film Bernie. Highly recommended, most enjoyable.
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07-21-2012, 05:08 PM
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#10742
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,715
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pb4uski
We got the two squirrels and then wouldn't you know it, another one showed up. Pesky critters. With any luck we'll get him and that will be the last one.
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There's no such thing as the last one. They always come back for more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pb4uski
In the meantime I bought a "squirrel resistant" bird feeder so I'll give that a try. We have already had a beautiful yellow finch visit.
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Do keep us posted on this. If you find one that is really squirrel proof let us know. I'm buying stock in that company.
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07-21-2012, 07:47 PM
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#10743
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 23,038
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Washed and waxed the young wife's MINI. I was assisted by my 16 year old neighbor (for $10/hr). He had never waxed a car before, so it was also a learning experience. I think we'll do an oil change next week.
__________________
Living an analog life in the Digital Age.
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07-21-2012, 08:04 PM
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#10744
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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I recall Uncle Mick's battle with his squirrels a while back. He was using an airsoft gun that shot non-lethal plastic BB's. He gave up in the end, I think.
Why can't we just consider the bird feeders squirrel feeders and leave it at that? Aren't they both wild life that need to eat? I myself have no preference.
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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07-22-2012, 05:30 AM
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#10745
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NW-Bound
....Why can't we just consider the bird feeders squirrel feeders and leave it at that? Aren't they both wild life that need to eat? I myself have no preference.
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I did consider the squirrels to be benign for a while but unlike the birds, the squirrels leave droppings all over my deck railings that I then have to clean off. Once they started chewing my screen door, that was the last straw. This is war - the squirrels have got to go. I "think" this third one is the last one in the tree adjacent to my house, but we'll see.
There are a couple of beautiful yellow finches at the bird feeder right now - and they don't crap all over my deck railing.
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07-22-2012, 07:21 AM
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#10746
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 805
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About 5 years ago I purchased a Droll Yankee birdfeeder for DH's birthday or Father's Day or something. The first year or so, squirrels tried to figure it out; it was rather amusing to watch. The perch is very lightweight and tips when a squirrel tries to use it to reach the food. Can't remember the last time I saw one try.
We have one that looks like the Tipper model. It was about $70.00 then - lists as $114.00 now. Ouch....guess that's why we never purchased another
one.
But, if you really, really want a squirrel-proof bird feeder......
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07-22-2012, 01:05 PM
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#10747
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Northern California
Posts: 549
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Just finished canning 7 quarts of peaches! DH placed a plastic owl in the peach tree last week to keep the birds away. It actually worked, and we have a nice crop.
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07-22-2012, 01:24 PM
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#10748
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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Darn! The pigeons in my neighborhood are either too dumb or too smart to be scared by plastic owls placed on rooftops. They perch on the decoy to gain another foot in elevation as a surveillance spot!
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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07-22-2012, 01:53 PM
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#10749
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Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,941
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Loafing a bit after a busy start to the weekend. We went to San Antonio to see the US Marine Band perform (my cousin is a 20-year member of the band but I'd never seen her perform in person). Wonderful concert, followed by drinks on the Riverwalk with my cousin - lots of catching up as we hadn't seen each other since my dad's funeral nearly six years ago.
Saturday morning we decided to visit one of the Spanish mission sites - DH is a native Texan and had never been. Very interesting - we'll check out a few more when it's a bit cooler.
Stopped at Toys-r-4-Men Cabela's on the way home - another first time visit. Of course we found a few things we really needed just had to have.
Think I'll head out to the hammock chair with a book and a beer to enjoy the cool afternoon - although the forecast was for 100, it hasn't hit 90 yet.
__________________
"One of the funny things about the stock market is that every time one person buys, another sells, and both think they are astute." William Feather
----------------------------------
ER'd Oct. 2010 at 53. Life is good.
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07-22-2012, 07:28 PM
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#10750
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 23,038
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Visited Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA, and toured the USS Massachusetts (BB-59); USS Joseph P. Kennedy (DD-850); USS Lionfish (SS-298) and a Soviet Tarantul class missile corvette. I went with the neighbor lad who works for me on weekends and a friend from church and his daughter, who has recently enlisted in the USN on delayed entry. It was a very nice day.
__________________
Living an analog life in the Digital Age.
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07-22-2012, 08:38 PM
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#10751
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshopper
I have a this bird feeder. Works for doves and large nasty birds.
Heritage Farms Bird's Choice Squirrel Proof Feeder
The Heritage Farms Bird's Choice Squirrel Proof Feeder features a weight sensitive metal perch that closes access to the seed tray when squirrels attempt to feed. The attractive spring operated perch is adjustable to allow or exclude large, heavy birds as well as squirrels. A seed baffle design reduces wasted seed and helps keep the feeder area clean. The reservoir has a large 6 quart capacity and the clear plastic reservoir windows make the seed level visible at all times. The feeder's TopLoc feature holds the top open when filling, allowing you to replenish seed one-handed. The feeder has a durable speckled-green powder-coated steel construction that will last for years to come. This feeder may be hung with the included 13" bracket hanger, pole mounted on a 0.75" to 1.75" diameter pole, or placed on a 4" x 4" post using the included adapter. Five year guarantee.
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I have the same one. I think I want to convert it into a squirrel trap.
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07-22-2012, 10:36 PM
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#10752
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,860
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I've been trying to photograph our brown quail family for several weeks. Every afternoon they've been hopping up our back steps and strolling through our yard looking for whatever brown quail eat. Now the young ones are fully grown and I'm sure the parents will be empty-nesters (literally!) soon. Yesterday I heard two of the males bickering from the backyard down slope. I knew the flock would be coming up the steps to our lanai, so I quietly brought the camera to the back lanai. I sat down in a chair, focused the camera on the top of the steps, and froze in place. The chattering continued for several minutes but I never saw any quail heads.
But they saw me. A couple minutes later the yard went silent. Then suddenly, without warning, all five of them catapulted over the top of the steps about 10 feet into the air and flew over the back lanai. Of course I couldn't reframe the shot. Heck, I barely even moved the camera before they were gone.
If I ever want to get a photo I'm just going to have to set the camera on the lanai, turn it on, and go back inside the house...
This morning I noticed a mejiro had hollowed out one of our papaya and practically turned it into a bird house. So I picked eight of them (papaya, not mejiro) even though they're probably not quite ripe enough to be picked.
__________________
*
Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."
I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
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07-23-2012, 12:54 AM
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#10753
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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How'bout getting your industrious squirrels drunk so that they lose their agility and leave the birdseed feeder alone?
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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07-23-2012, 05:38 AM
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#10754
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,715
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Went to see Macy Gray and Seal in concert yesterday. He is such a nice man. We went early to picnic on the lawn and they were rehearsing, when they finished he came out into the lawn area to say hello and chat. Great show.
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07-23-2012, 07:32 AM
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#10755
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,373
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I was dozing in bed about 6:30 am this morning and I heard a "snap" - squirrel number 3 bites the dust. About 5 minutes later I thought I heard a squirrel chattering in the spruce tree adjacent to the house! Calling for its fallen comrade I suppose.
I hope that they are a learning creature and have learned that it is life-threatening to get near my bird feeder. Seems unlikely though.
Anyway, my plan is to put the trap away for now until I see a squirrel on the "squirrel resistant" bird feeder.
BIL and family from TN were here yesterday along with two local BILs, we had a nice time.
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07-23-2012, 11:27 AM
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#10756
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,715
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As we waited in line yesterday for the show I overheard the folks behind us map out the following strategy when the gates opened:
Quote:
When we get past the gates half of us go to the right, half go to the left, and the rest cut across the lawn. Whoever gets the best spot stay there.
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I have no idea how that worked out...
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07-23-2012, 01:10 PM
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#10757
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35,712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pb4uski
...About 5 minutes later I thought I heard a squirrel chattering in the spruce tree adjacent to the house!
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They were probably talking about a plan to do this.
__________________
"Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man" -- Leon Trotsky (1879-1940)
"Those Who Can Make You Believe Absurdities Can Make You Commit Atrocities" - Voltaire (1694-1778)
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07-23-2012, 01:55 PM
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#10758
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,472
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nords
I've been trying to photograph our brown quail family for several weeks. Every afternoon they've been hopping up our back steps and strolling through our yard looking for whatever brown quail eat. Now the young ones are fully grown and I'm sure the parents will be empty-nesters (literally!) soon. Yesterday I heard two of the males bickering from the backyard down slope. I knew the flock would be coming up the steps to our lanai, so I quietly brought the camera to the back lanai. I sat down in a chair, focused the camera on the top of the steps, and froze in place. The chattering continued for several minutes but I never saw any quail heads.
But they saw me. A couple minutes later the yard went silent. Then suddenly, without warning, all five of them catapulted over the top of the steps about 10 feet into the air and flew over the back lanai. Of course I couldn't reframe the shot. Heck, I barely even moved the camera before they were gone.
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Yesterday I had 6 adult Gambel's Quail tag teamed by 37(yes I counted) little ones. In my neighborhood we call the small guys popcorn of the desert, cause everything is out to eat them. I have had a female Painted Bunting coming around, I do hope that daddy makes a showing.
__________________
For me experiences are not good or bad, just different
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07-24-2012, 12:29 AM
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#10759
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
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Today I said goodbye to a dear old friend.
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07-24-2012, 12:34 AM
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#10760
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
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......and Hello to my new CRV! This is one cool vehicle. Thanks Moemg, your input was very helpful.
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