Janet: Thanks for the tip about the pennies, I will certainly try it! I know exactly what you mean about Crape Myrtle stuff. I have one birdbath under a Crape Myrtle in the front yard that stays covered in pink blooms all summer and fall. I could take the hose to that one ten times a day to no avail ... stuff continues falling as I'm spraying it with the hose.
By the way ... you should send Trish a t-mail with that tip to earn acorns ... it's a great tip that other gardeners and bird lovers would find helpful!
Lin