A cardinal is nesting in the purple chaste (Vitex) in my back yard. Last year I paid attention to a nest, so my pit bull paid attention. I think she might have eaten the fledglings when they landed on the grass under the tree, so this year I haven't gone near the cardinal. I'll put the dog in the house and take a few photos tomorrow (I have to head out of town, and the time between hatching and fledgling is so short I might not be back before they're gone!)

I have been caring for a friend's Chocolate Lab for four months (come next week). She has been in the hospital, long story, but he has learned from my two dogs about grazing (what to eat grass-wise and tree-sprout-wise). Last week as I looked in disgust at 5 or 6 crows in the back by the fence I said "Zeke, get rid of those crows!" and threw my arm in a point at them.

By George! he got it! He raced back, barked, and they all flew off, he was so pleased with himself, and now my sweetheart Zeke has a JOB in the yard, to chase off big black birds. I've seen him do it several times since. (My dogs race to the back to bark at possums, skunks, coyotes, etc.)

SRS (I know, more of a dog story than a bird story.)