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Apr 4, 2014 7:10 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Rhonda
Williston, Florida (Zone 9a)
Gulf fritillary on wild gayfeather
We have lots of loblolly and long leaf pines on and around our property that are favorites of many birds. For 3 years in a row, every Spring during mating season, this male pileated (I assume it is the same one) spends most of every day (for at least a month) at my car admiring his image in the side mirror. When I'm at work, he settles for my hubby's Hilarious! I have never had a problem with him pecking the mirrors or windows. I have tried covering the mirrors, but he sits there staring at the covered mirrors waiting for that good looking female pileated to return Rolling my eyes.

Sorry that the pics are washed out, but nature doesn't always oblige me with good shots in good light. I hope he visits again this year.



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Apr 5, 2014 12:48 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Oh, that's good, Rhonda. What a ham!
I garden for the pollinators.
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Apr 5, 2014 3:14 AM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
I don't blame him. I think I am in love with him too. Thumbs up
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.
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Apr 5, 2014 6:42 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Rhonda
Williston, Florida (Zone 9a)
Gulf fritillary on wild gayfeather
Tee, I bet I got 200 pics of him that day! He didn't mind me being just 15 feet away at all.

Glen, I think they are amazing too. They look so prehistoric, almost like a small, colorful pterodactyl Hilarious!
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Apr 5, 2014 6:45 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
And he likes being photographed as well. Yep, a real ham. But an adorable one. I agree, they do look rather prehistoric.
I garden for the pollinators.
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Apr 5, 2014 10:18 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
I agree too about the prehistoric look.

And seeing him makes me Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Silly boy!

This year, we have some male bluebirds who like to look at themselves in the side mirrors but none of the pileated have done so ----thank goodness!

Rhonda, you did great getting those photos! My pileated make me play ring around the rosy with them when I try to take pics. Round & round & round we go around the tree trunks. Hilarious!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Apr 5, 2014 3:58 PM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
I am going to try suet. I haven't seen it being used in Australia before. The only thing I could find is Tandaco prepared suet mix. It has aerated flour added to it. I hope it works. How do you put it out or hang it up for the birds. Do you have trouble from ants?
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.
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Apr 5, 2014 5:32 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Glen, you could do this:
http://garden.org/search/index...

But just like us in Fl., in the heat of summer, it will probably get real messy as it will "melt".

I did some searching & found these 2 links for how to make your own no melt suet:
http://www.food.com/recipe/no-...

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Bi...

BTW, I searched all kinds of online stores in Au for wild bird seed & supplies --- not much out there & certainly no suet. Sad Looks like you'll have to make your own. You like cooking right?
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Apr 7, 2014 9:20 AM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
I have made suet for the birds and they liked it, during the winter it is fine, but early spring and the sun gets stronger it melts, and it is messy when it drips on the ground, not easy to clean of the grass, ugh. Thumbs down I can leave the store bought stuff up most of the year and it is fine when hung in the shade of a tree. Thumbs up
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Apr 7, 2014 6:05 PM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
Many thanks Ann. I have made eight bars using the peanut butter and oats recipe. I have now ordered my suet holders. They are from OS so it will be weeks before I hang my first up.
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.
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Apr 7, 2014 6:16 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Gleni said:Many thanks Ann. I have made eight bars using the peanut butter and oats recipe. I have now ordered my suet holders. They are from OS so it will be weeks before I hang my first up.


My pleasure Glen! Let me know how well it holds up in your heat please. We are not into the 90's yet or even the upper 80's so I will be curious to find out how it really does in the high heat. I have bought some no melt suet cakes but I would prefer to make my own as the ones I buy are cross contaminated with wheat & since I am a celiac, I never feel comfortable handling anything that is cross contaminated even though I'm not eating it myself.

Until your holders come, if you have some chicken wire or wire with smaller openings even than chicken wire --- you could make your own holder at least for temporary use.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Apr 7, 2014 7:46 PM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
Glen, I keep the suet cakes in the freezer. nodding
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Apr 7, 2014 8:00 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Do you make the no melt ones Margaret?
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Apr 7, 2014 11:06 PM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
Ann, no I don't make them, I just buy them, so much easier and the birds are happy. Lovey dubby
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Apr 8, 2014 6:18 AM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
It is funny. Since I ordered the suet baskets from OS, google has noticed and I am getting ads for them on the side bars from within Australia. I wish they had turned up before the fact!
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.
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Apr 8, 2014 9:02 AM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
Glen, that is annoying for sure, in future Google first and wait for the ads to show up. Hilarious!
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Apr 8, 2014 9:30 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Thumbs up
I garden for the pollinators.
Image
Apr 8, 2014 11:19 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
That's a good idea Margaret! Thumbs up

Glen, what is the OS? The other side?????
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
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Apr 8, 2014 12:53 PM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
Over Seas I believe, Ann
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Apr 8, 2014 5:26 PM CST
Name: Glen Ingram
Macleay Is, Qld, Australia (Zone 12a)
(Lee Reinke X Rose F Kennedy) X Unk
Amaryllis Hybridizer Canning and food preservation Lilies Native Plants and Wildflowers Orchids
Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Pollen collector Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plays in the sandbox Sedums Seed Starter
Yes, overseas.
The problem is that when you are young your life it is ruined by your parents. When you are older it is ruined by your children.

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