Subject: [Tweeters] Dandelions, Juncos and Finches, Oh Yes.
Date: May 26 00:53:12 2011
From: notcalm at comcast.net - notcalm at comcast.net


Fellow Tweeters,


I let some of the Dandelions in our backyard seed out this year. Have taken great pleasure in watching Juncos, House Finches, White- and Golden-Crowned feed on the them. They are very selective on stage of development. They favor the ones that have barely opened. Juncos are surprising good high jumpers. The Dandelions are a surprisingly inexpensive source of seed and require no care.


Also watched a Pied-billed Grebe pair go submarine ballistic, when a Mallard mom and seven hatchlings came within 50 feet of a no swim zone, 45 feet from a nest. Much serious splashing. I actually thought a Large- mouthed Bass had taken a duckling, before I saw and heard what continued to happen.


Best regards,
Dan Reiff
Mercer Island