Yay! Winter hummers are an intriguing idea...not sure I could handle changing frozen feeders every few hours, however!

They are...BACK! Posted this on another forum, but wanted to share it here also!

Wow!

Beautiful!!! Thank you....

It looks like my Indigo Buntings if they fell in a paint set!

I'm soooo envious, Linda!

LindaTX8 said:I've known there were more birds around lately than the usual suspects I always see around here. Today I got excited when I saw this one...first time it's appeared at the feeder that I know about! I know the pretty one is the male...maybe the other one is the female of that kind. I'd guess that these birds weren't finding enough food and water out in the drought-stricken places they usually haunt and somehow found my little wildlife haven.





And not sure what this bluish bird is, but it's pretty and it showed up at the feeder today also. I took the pics through a window, so they're not the best.

Wow those are amazing pictures. I see lots of birds in Frisco, but have not seen that one. Also, I have not done bird feeders of late because someone told me it would attract rats. Have you had that problem?

We don't have any rats out here in the country...only wild mice, which don't cause much problems! The two feeders I have do attract squirrels and on occasion other wildlife here...even some free-range chickens that come around. I heard about a big rat outbreak in the nearest city (San Antonio)...last year, I think? From what I heard, it was not limited to households with feeders. The rats were actually eating plants that were were growing in yards in some parts of town...that's what I heard. I think that was caused by severe drought.

Rats are attracted to cheap bird food with corn in it.

I'm just excited to have a pair of cardinals, and a pair of titmice at my feeders. The pheobes clean the feeders out daily. I *really* need to get a birdbath.

I need a birdbath too. For now, just containers of water I put out. I caught "pretty boy" again in my smoke tree the other day, where he was waiting for his turn at the feeder. I just really love having the chance to see him!

Beautiful bird!
We had a wide spread rat infestation in Austin last summer with the drought. People were having them come up in the toilets and chewing into the attics in central Austin. And lots of folks lost plants to them too. I hope we don't have quite as bad a summer this year. We're still having raccoons using our yard as a vacation spot. DH is taking another one to the farm as I write. I noticed the pond light was out on the side of the pond yesterday. I figured DH had been working on it, so I didn't say anything. Last night I asked him and when he said he hadn't, I asked him to set the trap. This morning we had a fat raccoon, staring us down, in the trap. It's just endless. I'd rather have raccoons than rats, tho. We probably have 'em around, but I think since the creek is so close, they have a water supply and food from all the hikers and bikers along the trail.

Found this little girl on my porch. ran into a window.