http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for chemical feeder Copyright 2008 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:53:10 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/chemical+feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-feeder-believed-to-attract-more-than-birds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-feeder-believed-to-attract-more-than-birds#comments Mon, 03 Jul 2006 04:27:06 +0000 bird feederbird feederstype of foodproper foodhummingbirdsbirdsseeds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-feeder-believed-to-attract-more-than-birds bird feeder is a device that is placed outdoors for the purpose of dispensing food to birds. The ultimate success of a bird feeder is determined by it's placement, the types of seeds provided and the design of the feeder itself.

To begin with, a bird feeder must be large enough to accommodate the nearby species. Birds need to be able to get to the seeds easily if they are to continue to use the bird feeder. In addition, the feeder should be placed somewhere convenient and easily accessible. Most bird feeders are located in a tree that birds are known to frequent.

The type of bird that you wish to attract will ultimately determine the type of food that you supply in the bird feeder. For example, while most food is made in the form of seeds, hummingbirds prefer liquid nourishment. This is a very important distinction as bird feeders are created for birdwatching and, without the proper food, there may not be any birds to watch.

Many people around the world enjoy birdwatching and some even record their experiences on video. Some individuals use webcams, while others use a regular camcorder to capture their birds on film. Don't be surprised, however, if you happen to capture a squirrel on video. These little creatures are famous for helping themselves to the contents of a bird feeder and not even so much to eat the food, but rather to carry it away and store it elsewhere. There are, however, a number of bird feeder manufacturers that create their products with the hope of deterring squirrels from swiping all of the seeds. This may include a collapsible bird feeder if anything heavier than a bird should begin to feed or one that provides a slight shock or spins to throw the squirrel a short distance away.

A bird feeder is easy to find at any retail or online store, but the many choices available may make the decision a difficult one. Ultimately, the size of the feeder and it's design will be the most important consideration.

Often, the most effective way of keeping a squirrel away from a bird feeder is to set out a squirrel feeder. Corn and berries are among the foods that may interest a squirrel and may keep him/her occupied so as to not disturb the bird feeder. These creatures, themselves, can add quite a lot of amusement and birds may find themselves sharing the spotlight as many birdwatchers turn toward watching squirrels, as well. Learn more about bird feeder - visit our website at http://www.bird-feeder-guide.info for bird feeder articles and reviews. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-finch-feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-finch-feeder#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2007 05:14:59 +0000 finch feederthistle seedssocial birdsloving birdssmall birdshouse finchesgoldfinches http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-finch-feeder social birds. As they come in many different varieties you can be assured of seeing lots of variety at your Finch feeder. While birds like hummingbirds and Orioles may prefer nectar, Finches are strictly seed-loving birds. They especially love eating Nyjer seeds, Thistle seeds and the seed heads from tall weeds.

There are different types of Finch feeders available on the market. You will need to decide what sort of Finches you want in your garden and how many should come and visit you.

While you're placing your feeders in the garden do try and take into account that each type of Finch has different feeding requirements. House Finches are extremely sociable birds. They will gather at the feeding stations in groups as large as 30 or more birds at a time. Therefore your Finch feeder should be big enough to accommodate them.

An Adjustable Thistle Seed Finch Feeder is an ideal type of feeder. Here 18 different birds can perch on the colorful stands and eat their fill of thistle seeds. The adjustable feeder has three interlocking adjustable pieces to it. This feature allows you to clean the feeder very quickly and easily. The clear tube of the feeder allows you to see how much of seeds there are remaining in the Finch feeder. The drain sponge at the bottom of the tube makes sure that all moisture leaves the feeder; this keeps the seeds dry and fresh for the Finches. The birds that love this feeder design are Goldfinches, Finches, Grosbeaks, Redpolls and Siskins

The Small Nyjer Mesh Finch Feeder is constructed from mesh and has a protective polycarbonate collar both at the top and the bottom. This keeps the tube's shape and protects both you and the Finches from the sharp edges. This mesh covering makes this Finch Feeder great for small birds to cling and eat the Nyjer seeds. The baffle design directs the seeds towards the birds, allowing them to get at the seeds with ease. The mesh keeps the seeds dry and lets Chickadees, Finches, Goldfinches, Redpolls and Siskins enjoy eating at this feeder.

The Medium Nyjer Mesh Finch Feeder shares almost all of the traits of the small feeder. Instead of holding only three fourths of a quart of Nyjer seeds, you can place about 1 quart of the Nyjer seeds in the feeder. With this feeder you will get the same visitors to your garden as with the Small Nyjer Mesh Finch Feeder.

As you can see you have a large choice as to what Finch Feeder you'll place in your garden and what types of Finches that you get the chance to see day in and day out. And if none of these Finch Feeders suit your purpose you could always switch to feeding hummingbirds instead and get a hummingbird nectar feeder! Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-metal-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-metal-bird-feeders#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:30:01 +0000 metal bird feedercopper accentsperky pettube bird feederbird feedersfeeder birdssunflower garden http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-metal-bird-feeders Metal Bird Feeders combine practical usage with elegance and beauty to make your garden an inviting place for birds.

Perky Pet which is a leading supplier of wild bird products has some interesting metal bird feeders for you to choose from. As there are a large number of feeders, only a few will be described here. Should these bird feeders appeal to your tastes then you'll be able to view other types that are available.

The Sunflower Garden Metal Lantern Bird Feeder has an elegant and stylish design. It's made from durable powder coated metal in a beautiful garden green color. This feeder has the construction strength to provide you with years of bird feeding pleasure and comes with an 8 inch metal wire hanger.

The perches are in a "U" shape which is much preferred by feeder birds. The sides of the feeder are etched with a sunflower plexiglass design. These clear sides give you a view of the seed level within the metal bird feeders. You can keep 5 pounds of bird seed inside of the feeder and this bird feeder is designed for hanging.

The Copper Accented Bird Feeder is another metal bird feeder by Perky Pet Bird Feeders. This feeder has sparkling copper accents on the feeder. There is a unique seed dispensing tray at the bottom of the feeder. The feeder is made from powder coated metal in a decorative green coloring. It's in the style of a tube feeder, but the roof of the feeder is a copper plated top.

There are 4 feeding ports that have copper hoods above them, and also 4 copper perches as well. The base of these metal bird feeders is made from copper as well. In addition there are 4 more feeding ports. This 8 feeder port, tube bird feeder becomes a distinctive addition to your garden. The Copper Accented Bird Feeder will hold 6 pounds of seed mix or sunflower seeds. A heavy duty metal wire hanger is included with this feeder.

The last type of metal bird feeders comes from Heritage Farms. This Deluxe Seed and Suet Double Sided Bird Feeder has an attractive copper top. It's made of durable metal that will withstand whatever the weather throws at it and is squirrel and raccoon resistant as well. There are 2 sides that birds can eat seed from. In addition there are 2 suet feeder cages located on the sides of the metal bird feeders.

Any of these unique metal bird feeders will add an elegant and decorative touch to your garden and will also have the benefit of attracting many birds to your garden. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://myaroma.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/things-to-know-about-copper-hummingbird-feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/things-to-know-about-copper-hummingbird-feeder#comments Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:35:01 +0000 hummingbird feedercopperalighthummingbirdsholland hillred flowersbirds http://www.artwoo.com/article/things-to-know-about-copper-hummingbird-feeder birds" rel="tag">Hummingbirds are beautiful yet very agile birds. The chance to see them very closely in the wild is somewhat rare. This is because like all wild animals they're not comfortable in the presence of humans. A way to eliminate this problem is to provide a place for them to find supplementary food. Choosing a Copper Hummingbird Feeder can be fun as they come in various shapes and sizes.

These feeders will not only give a decorative appearance to your garden but they'll bring a profusion of hummingbirds to investigate this source of food. One such hummingbird feeder is made from copper and crystal glass. The copper is entwined around the glass body of the feeder. The two feeder stations have feeding ports that are red flowers made from metal.

There is an also a 17inch long crystal tube shaped bottle. This Copper Hummingbird Feeder design has a long entwining copper stem with brass leaves hanging down. The copper and brass is shaped around the crystal tube body. The feeding ports are elongated red flowers that serve to attract the hummingbirds

Holland Hill Tweeter Totter also has some beautiful Copper Hummingbird feeder designs. These feeders come in the shape of narrow test tubes. Thin copper wire strands are wrapped in a diagonal pattern all around the tube. Two copper twisted strands serve as perches for the hummingbirds. When the birds alight on the perches they tilt the tubes with the nectar towards the hummingbirds.

Another variation of the Holland Hill Tweeter Totter is made for window feeding stations. Here 2 tubes have copper twisted around their bodies. Little red glass balls hang down from near the red feeding ports.

There is a hummingbird feeder that has the ability to catch the attention of the busy little birds. The copper base on this feeder is one of the main reasons for this. The Schrodt Facet Hummingbird Feeder is made entirely out of red cut-glass. The shape of this bottle somewhat resembles a prism. The base of the bottle is narrow. However the bottle widens as you go upwards. This allows you to store enough nectar to last for a few days.

The base of the feeder is made entirely of copper. This copper base reflects any light that is shining on it. As the reflected light may bounce off the red glass bottle, curious hummingbirds will definitely decide to come and investigate your garden that has a Schrodt Facet Copper Hummingbird Feeder in it.

As the main reason for buying a hummingbird feeder is to see these tiny birds in action, you must decide what Copper Hummingbird Feeder will look, and work best in your garden. After all, what you want most is to attract these beautiful jewel-toned birds to your garden. The decorative effect the Copper Hummingbird Feeder will have in your garden is just an added benefit. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-hummingbird-feeder-tubes http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-hummingbird-feeder-tubes#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:20:00 +0000 hummingbird feedercopper wireshummingbirdsalightflowering plantshibiscus flowerrealistically http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-hummingbird-feeder-tubes Hummingbirds are one of the more beautiful birds that you will see in nature. These little beauties are constantly on the search for food. As they fly at very high speeds they burn up more than half of their energy reserves. To help them find lots of food you can plant different flowering plants, shrubs, trees and hummingbird feeder tubes in various places in the garden.

Hummingbird feeder tubes are simply long tubes that provide nectar to the hummingbirds. As these tubes simulate the flowers that the birds drink from naturally, they are drawn to these types of feeders.

There are lots of varieties of Hummingbird feeder tubes that you can buy on the market. A visit to your nearest pet shop or the internet will reveal the different hummingbird feeder tubes that are available.

Holland Hill Tweeter Totter has different hummingbird feeder tube designs. These feeders are made of long, thin, crystal glass. Thin strands of copper are entwined all around the 2 tubes. The copper strands form a diagonal pattern around the feeders. The ends of the feeding ports are red, this is a color that hummingbirds seem to love; they also have little red glass balls hanging down from thin copper wires. The perches for the hummingbird feeder tubes are twisted copper wires. When the Hummingbirds alight on the perches, they will tilt the tubes full of nectar towards them.

Another type of hummingbird feeder is a 17 inch long crystal tube. For this Hummingbird Feeder design there is a long entwining copper wire that is shaped like a stem with brass leaves hang realistically from the stem. The copper stem and brass leaves are shaped around the crystal tube body. The feeding ports are elongated red feeder tubes that resemble flowers. The red of the flowers serve to attract the hummingbirds.

Red Hibiscus flower shaped hummingbird feeder tubes are also a favorite of both hummingbirds and people. This is one way that you can provide a natural looking source of food for hummingbirds in your garden. The Hibiscus flower is made from recycled hand blown glass. It's about 7 inches in length and it comes complete with an "S" shaped hook for hanging purposes. These hummingbird feeder tubes can hold up to =BE cups of nectar.

You can also hang red hand blown glass globes in your garden. The bright red balls will invite lots of hummingbirds to come. At the bottom of the sphere you will find a feeder tube. The ends of these hummingbird feeder tubes are red. Even though they are 4.5 inches in diameter these red glass balls will hold =BE cups of nectar.

Hummingbird feeder tubes come in many designs but they all have the same purpose, which is to provide another source of food for the ever hungry hummingbirds in your garden. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://myaroma.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-gazebo-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-gazebo-bird-feeders#comments Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:30:01 +0000 safflower seedsgazebo bird feedergazebo stylesunflower seedsbird feedersdifferent types of birdssized birds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-gazebo-bird-feeders bird feeders and there are many different feeders that you can choose from that will suit the many various bird species that are around. One type is the hopper feeders which also include gazebo bird feeders in their range. These gazebo bird feeders will also accommodate large sized birds and are practical. They're also made with great care so that they add a decorative touch to your house and garden.

One type of gazebo bird feeder is handcrafted and made in America and is made from both inland and Western Red Cedar wood. The paint coating on the feeder is a non-toxic water based stain varnish. The roofs of the gazebo bird feeders are made of copper. This helps to control the damage that is inflicted by the weather. The top of the feeder slides open allowing you to clean the feeder of mold and other growth that will hurt any birds that come to your gazebo bird feeders.

This easy slide opening lets you pour more seed into the tubular feeder that is within the Gazebo feeder. The design of the feeder allows placing the feeder on a sturdy post or putting it up on a strong pole. Care should be taken with the placement of your Gazebo Bird Feeders so that no lurking predators will be able to eat any birds that are at this station.

Gazebo style feeders are great for attracting lots of different types of birds. The feeder will hold sunflower seeds, mixed seeds and safflower seeds. With these different seed types the birds that come to your gazebo bird feeders will also be different.

Using black-oil sunflower seeds will bring Goldfinches, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Redpolls and Pine Siskins to your bird feeders. Finches, Grosbeaks, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Titmice and Chickadees will also flock around the gazebo feeder if you put safflower seeds there.

In general these feeders come in many shapes and sizes. They also come in attractive colors or you could perhaps purchase a do-it-yourself kit. These can be assembled with the greatest of ease and you'll also have the option of choosing your own color scheme. Painting it in bright colors will greatly attract many birds to your feeders and will lend your yard an air of festivity. Any paint used though, should be bird-friendly so check before buying it.

Buying multiple gazebo bird feeders will also allow you the opportunity to feed a great many birds and will afford you great pleasure as you relax and watch the antics of the birds. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-oriole-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-oriole-feeders#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2007 05:24:58 +0000 oriole feederssip nectarflower nectaroriole feederhummingbird feedersflowering plantsorioles http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-oriole-feeders sip nectar from flowers and other flowering plants. Besides flower nectar they also love grape jelly, and fruits. While you can watch them eating their nectar straight from the garden flowers, you might enjoy seeing them at Oriole feeders as well.

Oriole feeders resemble hummingbird feeders in that there are little wells that the Orioles can drink their nectar from. These specialized feeders allow the Orioles better access to the nectar. Their bright orange coloring can be detected by Orioles even from a great distance.

The best type of Oriole feeder will have both a bee, and ant guard around it to keep these insects away. Should you leave your Oriole feeder untended then the bees will fight the Orioles for possession of the nectar stand. Therefore it's wise to invest in a bee and ant guard for any Oriole feeders that you buy.

The Oriole feeder should have a built-in moat so that there is water between the ants and the nectar at all times. A nectar scale on your new Oriole feeders will help you to gauge how much nectar there is in the feeders. A feeder that has perches around the edge will give you the opportunity to view the Orioles without any distractions. The most important feature of the feeder is that it should be easy to clean. This is very important because an unclean feeder will allow mold to grow on, and in it.

The best time to clean your feeders is every 1 to 3 days. You'll need to remove all of the left-over nectar and any fruits that are on the feeder. Then rinse out the feeder by washing it with warm water. Adding a handful of uncooked rice to the water and shaking the feeder tube will remove any excess nectar stuck to the sides. Once your Oriole feeders are clean and you are sure that no mold is growing on them, you can refill the feeders with nectar.

Should you prefer you can put grape jelly into your feeders instead. However don't put food coloring or other dyes as these can be dangerous to the Orioles. A possible recipe for grape jelly follows. Use 1 part water and 1 part grape jelly. Mix them together until it resembles a thick juice. If you want you can use a blender to get the right consistency. Afterwards using a funnel pour the grape jelly juice into the Oriole feeders. Keep the rest of the mixture in the refrigerator.

Another good idea is to place an Orange halve on a twig, or try placing your Oriole feeders in a patch of bright-orange flowers as they're attracted to orange more than any other color. These few simple steps along with your Oriole feeders are all that is required for attracting the bright Orioles to your garden. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://myaroma.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/hopper-feeders-and-bird-watching http://www.artwoo.com/article/hopper-feeders-and-bird-watching#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:25:02 +0000 this means thathopper feederschickadeesbirdsweatherhopper feederbd http://www.artwoo.com/article/hopper-feeders-and-bird-watching birds to come and visit. Besides providing water for them to drink and bath, a safe place to eat some food is a must. There are lots of bird feeders that you can put in your garden, but Hopper Feeders are probably an excellent choice for the beginner.

These feeders are also sometimes called Wood feeders. This feeder is very good because birds will feel comfortable here. The Hopper Feeders blend in quite well with the rest of your garden environment. A Hopper Feeder that is kiln dried and made from good quality Western Cedar wood will last for a long time and it will weather to a beautiful silvery gray color.

You can use Hopper Feeders right throughout the year. The Hopper Feeders have all-weather screws to help the feeder withstand whatever type of weather your region will experience. The top of the feeder can be easily opened to store bird feed and to make cleaning the Hopper Feeders easy. Since the Hopper Feeder is made from wood the rain will run off the top leaving the seeds inside nice and dry.

There are some birds that like to eat from a feeder that has a solid perch or platform for their eating ease. Northern Cardinals, Bluejays, Chickadees, Finches and others will come visit this sort of feeder. Owning large sized feeders like the Hopper Feeders will allow you to keep several pounds of sunflower and other seed mixtures in it without any hassle.

This means that you will spend less time refilling the feeder and more time spent on bird watching. A larger seed capacity is very important during the winter. The cold winter season means that with less food in the wild, the birds will depend on you. Your Hopper Feeders will then provide them with a valuable source of food.

The Hopper Feeders can come in many sizes but a good sized Hopper Feeder will measure about 11 =BD inches in length. 9 =BD inches in height and its width will be 9 =BD inches. As these feeders are made from wood you should take care where you will place them in your garden. Squirrels will demolish any Hopper Feeders that have no protection around them.

For this reason make sure that your wooden Hopper Feeders are in an area that has no trees or jumping points nearby for squirrels to take advantage of. Purchasing a good squirrel baffle is also another way to deal with the pesky problem. If you like these furry creatures however you could just place some extra seed away from your Hopper Feeders for the squirrels to enjoy. Whatever you decide, buying any of the Hopper Feeders available will only enhance your garden and bring a great many birds to your feeders. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-audubon-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-audubon-bird-feeders#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:25:01 +0000 audubon bird feederssuet feedersuet cakesbirdstrees and shrubsgoldfincheschickadees http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-audubon-bird-feeders birds as they try to get the best and largest amount of food. The bright colors and different species that come to our gardens are also a source of interest. One of the best ways to attract birds to your garden is with a feeder. As there are different aspects to the feeders, you might want to check out Audubon bird feeders just to get an idea of what you can buy.

There are different bird feeders that will suit the eating habits of your garden visitors. Ground feeders are best for birds like Doves, Goldfinches, Cardinals, Juncos, Towhees and Sparrows. These Audubon bird feeders need to kept in open areas, at least 10 feet away from any trees and shrubs. This way the birds will have a good chance of escaping from any incoming danger. The feeder is designed in a way that keeps the seeds fresh by separating the bird droppings from the seeds. Sometimes the ground feeders will have covers over them.

Sunflower seed tube feeders are good as they come with metal ports around the seed dispensers. These metal ports will stop hungry squirrels and house sparrows from raiding your bird feeders. It's best to position this type of feeder about 5 feet off of the ground. To see more bird varieties coming for some food, you may want to hang your feeder near the windows. Audubon bird feeders like these attract Chickadees, Nuthatches, Siskins, House Finches, Goldfinches, Titmice and Purple Finches as well

Another type of bird feeder that you should look into is the Suet feeder. Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers love to eat suet. Wrens and other birds will also sometimes eat the suet cake. You can feed suet by placing it in a mesh onion bag, or your other option is to buy Audubon bird feeders that are specially designed for feeding suet cakes to the different birds.

You can hang your suet feeder from trees or on a wire that's stretched out between trees. You can also place it near other feeder poles and watch different birds eating both the seeds and the suet cakes. Since the suet can turn rancid you should avoid giving this feed when the outside temperatures rise into the 80 degree range.

Hopper feeders will let larger birds like Jays, Grackles, Red-Winged Blackbirds and Cardinals enjoy the mixed bird seed. You will find that these types of Audubon bird feeders have the smaller bird types coming to eat as well. The feed is released as the birds sit on the feeder trigger.

With so many birds around you should think carefully what type of birds that you want coming to your garden and buy your feeder accordingly. The Audubon bird feeders will allow you a greater choice in feeders and will also give you the opportunity to see lots of interesting birds in the relative quiet of your home. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-attract-and-feed-hummingbirds http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-attract-and-feed-hummingbirds#comments Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:27:05 +0000 attract hummingbirdsfeeding hummingbirdshummingbird feedersholly hockstrumpet creeperflowering plantsfeeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-attract-and-feed-hummingbirds feeding hummingbirds by using a proper feeder that has been designed especially for them.

There are lots of different styles of hummingbird feeders. Most of them have some red in them because the birds are attracted to this color. However, if you find a feeder you really like that doesn't have any red in it, a red ribbon tied around it will do the trick.

Aside from red, another thing that will help to attract hummingbirds is the nectar from various flowers, vines, shrubs and tress. Positioning your feeder among your garden will also help to get their attention (even if the flowers aren't in bloom).

Some of the hummingbird's favorite plants include flowering plants such as Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, Fuchsias, Lantana and Coral Bells. Pentunias, Impatiens, and Penstemen are other favorites.

Trees that flower, such as Morning Glory, Trumpet Honeysuckle and Trumpet Creeper can also help to attract hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds are very territorial, so you'll need to have your feeders in spots where they won't be visible to one another. If they're placed within sight of each other, the birds will often fight - sometimes to the death - to protect their food.

The best time of year to put out your feeder is 5 to 10 days before the start of hummingbird season. This lets any passing migratory hummingbirds see the feeder and they will quite likely stop in your garden. Hummingbird season starts when the weather begins to warm up.

A food mixture that has been found to be popular with hummingbirds can be made as follows:

- 1 part sugar - 4 parts water

Boil them together for a minute or two to kill bacteria and avoid spoilage. Cool the mixture in the fridge and store it there until it's feeding time.

Once you've started feeding them, you'll be amazed at how many hummingbirds will arrive at your garden, adding plenty of color and interest. Ronnie Booth writes about bird feeders and other birding topics on The Birding Guide website. For more helpful information and to sign up for our free birdwatching course, visit http://www.thebirdingguide.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-bird-feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-bird-feeder#comments Thu, 24 May 2007 19:24:51 +0000 tray feedercoffee canbird feederpieces of woodbirdsempty coffeesquare piece http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-your-own-wooden-bird-feeder bird feeder as simple or extravagant as you desire, according to your level of expertise.

Those who are more adept with the tools of woodworking, may want to try their hand at making a wooden castle bird feeder. The idea behind this is to have all the stools on each side of the castle manufactured so as to stick out for the birds to eat their food out of. Or maybe you consider yourself to be talented enough to make a tube that spirals around, having a trough for the birds to snack away at. However, if you are not so talented and have never built one before, you may want to start with a simple step-by-step design.

You could try starting with a simple wooden tray feeder, where you just glue and nail a few pieces of wood together. As you become more experienced in constructing your wooden bird feeders, you'll be able to experiment a bit more until you feel confident enough to make the bigger feeders that call for a lot more talent and patience. As a child, perhaps you may have built your very first wooden tray feeders in wood shop. On the other hand, if you weren't fortunate enough to take the class you may have built your own bird feeder at home using a soda bottle or a coffee can. I can remember, back when I was a child, taking the empty coffee can, filling it up with my dad's sunflower seeds and hanging it from a tree just to watch the birds come to the yard Endless hours of pleasure!

Check out this quick and easy way to make a simple wooden tray feeder. Please keep in mind that if you are a child you will need adult supervision.

MAKING A WOODEN TRAY FEEDER

4 pieces of wood about 2 inches wide 1 square piece of wood Nails

Use the square piece of wood as the base for your wooden tray feeder. Now take your four pieces of wood and prop them up on all sides of the square. Hammer each strip to the base until you have a small square dish with sides. Insert a newspaper into the base, making sure to flatten it down properly so it doesn't fly out. Pour in the seeds and you are set to go. On top of a large post or table would be a great place to position your tray.

Children love building bird feeders as well. Once they spot you making one they'll naturally want to do something to help. Try giving them a pine cone, butter knife and some peanut butter and have them spread it all over the pine cone. When finished, have them sprinkle seeds all over it. They'll be happy that they got to make a bird feeder too.

Hopper feeders are little wooden bird feeders that look like houses; birds love these because they keep the wind and rain off them.

When caring for your wooden bird feeders always remember that you need to empty them of food every night, unless you can somehow cover them. Rain can ruin bird seeds and make birds extremely sick, and I'm sure that's the last thing you want.

Bird watching has always been, and always will be, a fun hobby. By building your own wooden bird feeders, you can make this a time full of memories for you and your children.

Decide what type of feeder you'll use and where in the yard it will go. Location is a key item when it comes to wooden bird feeders. If you don't have it in the right place the birds may never find it. Take a look at our video which shows you exactly how to make a wooden bird house at http://www.landscaping-for-wildlife.com/birdhouse-construction-video.html - Loads more information on landscaping for wildlife at our website at http://www.landscaping-for-wildlife.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-a-great-swimming-pool http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-a-great-swimming-pool#comments Fri, 11 Aug 2006 06:27:15 +0000 swimming poolchemical feedersodium hypochloritechemical feederscalcium hypochloritediatomaceous earthdrains http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-a-great-swimming-pool swimming pool is one place where we all want to be on a hot day. Swimming is such a relaxing exercise, and it is enjoyed by people of all ages. Kids love splashing, while adults love swimming in the water. Swimming is an excellent sport, and reduces fat as well. A perfect swimming pool adds a lot of class to a beautiful home. If you are in the process of getting a pool or redoing your old pool, read on!

Swimming Pool Basics:

Typically, a swimming pool has the following major components:

• Basin • Motor pump • Water filter • Chemical feeder • Drains • Returns • PVC plastic plumbing connecting all of these elements

A good pool will have all the following components, so that the water is moved continuously from the filter, cleaning it, sometimes through the heater also, so that regular temperature is maintained. The water is consistently cleaned using the chemical feeders, with the help of chlorine, as it keeps water free from any bacteria.

Doing up a great pool:

The drain system is best laid at the lower end of the pool with the surface slanting towards it, so that the water can flow easily through the drains. The drains should be covered with grates so that while swimming, people do not have their hair or swimsuits caught up in them. A strainer is attached at the mouth of drains so that any debris is caught. A good pool must have powerful pumps that can help water flow through the filter and chemical feeder; to and from the swimming pool.

High rate sand filters are the best kind of filters that will clean the water perfectly. They use sand to clean water of any debris present. Some pools may also use the diatomaceous earth filter, or a cartridge filter. This filter cleans very fine particles of debris. Ideally in any pool, the water should pass the filter every 30 minutes, and for the largest ones, every six hours.

The pump and filter should also be connected to a fresh water line. Calcium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite make great chemical cleaning agents. An automated chlorine feeder should be hooked to the filters for good chemical filtration.

Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate should be used as per the requirement, to keep the pH under control right from 7.8 to 7.9. After filtration, the water should be sent back to the pool. A great pool requires the best of the filters, chemical filters, drains and pumps.

Most people look at the pool and think that that is the most important part of the set up, but in fact equally important is the pumps room, where pumps and filters are installed. A pump room is where the water quality is maintained. There are some other issues that one may face while getting a pool done. Some of these are:

When to dig a pool?

Contrary to popular thought, winter, not spring or summer is the right time to get a pool dug up, as the ground is not soggy. Soft ground is difficult to dig and is not easy on heavy equipment as well.

Sides caving in:

The sides of the hollow dug must be sloping so that the sides do not cave in. The ideal ratio should be a 1-foot vertical drop for every 3 horizontal feet. Steel enforcements may also be used to keep the pool in shape.

Algae in the pool:

Algae can be very harmful to a swimming pool, and requires chemical treatment and a lot of filtering, backwashing, scrubbing, and skimming. Whatever kind of algae it is, quick treatment is essential, as algae is quick to take over the pool.

Kids safety:

Kids are sometimes unpredictable, so a cover on the pool or a fence around it will help to keep the pool area safe.

Winter:

If the swimming pool is outdoors and the winters are harsh, it is a good idea to put antifreeze in the key areas after draining the water and putting a cover over the pool.

A swimming pool is an ideal feature for your home; just remember a good pool requires extensive preparations, and once these are done, maintenance is very important. Stefan Rockhaus is a contributing author for http://www.your-online-guide.info For more info visit http://www.supreme-swimming-pools.info and http://www.supreme-swimming-pools.info/sitemap.php ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-cedar-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-cedar-bird-feeders#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:25:01 +0000 cedar bird feedersthis means thathungry birdsgracklesgoldfincheschickadeesbluebirds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-cedar-bird-feeders This means that we try and ensure that their environment is ideal for their needs. A bird house is a good way to provide an instant nesting site or home for any visiting birds. A bird bath placed near a bird feeder provides a source of water for drinking, splash bathing and just having fun. The many types of feeders make sure that there is a ready supply of food for the birds. However Cedar Bird Feeders go beyond being just a bird supply item. They bring a level of sophisticated beauty to the garden.

Cedar Bird Feeders from Woodlink will give you the rustic look that you desire and yet this is combined with a practical usage. These feeders can be used anywhere it's necessary to feed large amounts of birds. They're also good for bird feeding sanctuaries.

Keeping this large sized feeder in your garden is an invitation for lots of birds to dine there. The Cedar Bird feeders are in the classic Hopper feeder style. Both sides of the feeder have lots of perching space in front of the feeding stations and there are clear plastic panels on both sides that show you the reservoir of seeds inside of the feeder.

An internal seed baffle design makes sure that any empty seed shells are emptied out on to the platform below. This design feature ensures that no residue is left in the Cedar bird feeders. The feeding platforms are green metal screens that can be removed. For the ease of cleaning and easy refilling the roof of the Cedar bird feeders are hinged.

These large Cedar bird feeders can hold 18 quarts of seed in them. This means that you don't have to continually refill the feeder and if you need to go on your holiday you won't be worrying about hungry birds.

Many bird species like to use this type of feeder. These include Wrens, Towhees, Sparrows, Jays, Grosbeaks, Blackbirds, Cardinals, Doves, Flickers, Redpolls, Woodpeckers, Titmice, Kinglets, Bluebirds, Goldfinches, Starlings, Finches, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Grackles, Siskins, Mockingbirds and Juncos.

These huge Cedar bird feeders are made in America from kiln dried Inland Red Cedar. They are hardy and durable. Their appearance will complement not only your garden but also any bird sanctuaries where they are needed. Due to the size of this feeder it may be best to pole mount it.

The best types of seed to use in this feeder are sunflower seeds, mixed seeds, cracked corn, sunflower kernels, safflower seeds and peanut chunks. The use of these varied bird seeds will bring different bird types to your Cedar Bird Feeders.

With the purchase of any Cedar Bird Feeders you can be assured of getting a good value and there are many years of enjoyment to be had from watching birds eating from the bird feeders. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-feeding-hummingbirds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-feeding-hummingbirds#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 08:30:01 +0000 feeding hummingbirdshummingbird feedersflowering plantsholly hocksflowering treesflowering quincehoneysuckle vines http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-feeding-hummingbirds feeding hummingbirds.

There are many types of hummingbird feeders that you can buy. Almost all of them will have some red color to them. This is because hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. However if you feel that there's not enough of red on your hummingbird feeder then you can tie a red colored ribbon around the feeder.

Besides the red color, hummingbirds love to have nectar from different flowers, shrubs, vines and trees. By placing your feeder amongst the garden flowers, you'll get the double pleasure of feeding hummingbirds even if there aren't any flowers blooming in your garden.

Now even though hummingbirds love the color of red they will visit your garden if their favorite plants are there. Flowering plants like Columbine, Begonias and Holly Hocks, as well as Fuchsias, Coral Bells and Lantana are some of these. Impatiens, Penstemen, and Petunias along with Geraniums and Flowering Tobacco are also favorites of hummingbirds.

They also love Azaleas, Flowering Quince, Honeysuckle, Weigela and the Butterfly Bush. Flowering trees like Morning Glory, Trumpet Creeper and Trumpet Honeysuckle may also see visitors of feeding hummingbirds. Others include Tulip Poplars, Honeysuckle Vines and Flowering Crab trees.

As hummingbirds are very territorial birds you'll need to place other feeders where the hummingbirds won't see their rivals. Should you place the feeders near each other the hummingbirds will fight each other; sometimes to the death just to protect their favorite flowering plants and feeder.



The best time to place your hummingbird feeder is about 5 to 10 days before the hummingbird season begins. This way should any passing migratory hummingbirds see the feeder they may stop in your garden. There may be a chance of your feeding hummingbirds from another country even.

The season for hummingbirds begins when the weather starts turning warmer, therefore it's best that you know their traveling times. This way you'll attract hummingbirds to your garden even if there aren't any fragrant flowers blooming. A way to keep feeding hummingbirds even when you don't have flowers in your garden is to put in an instant hummingbird food mix, or prepare your own mixture.

This mixture has been found to be a favorite of feeding hummingbirds. Take 1 part sugar, 4 parts water, and boil together for 1 to 2 minutes so as to kill bacteria and slow down spoilage. Cool the mixture and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to begin feeding them. Once you've started feeding hummingbirds you'll be amazed at how many will come to your garden and just how colorful your garden will become. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/basic-instructions-on-how-to-build-deer-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/basic-instructions-on-how-to-build-deer-feeders#comments Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:50:23 +0000 how to build a deer feederbackyard feederposthole diggerunwanted animalsworthwhile experiencedeer feedersright job http://www.artwoo.com/article/basic-instructions-on-how-to-build-deer-feeders deer feeders to draw their targets right within striking distance. In the meantime, ranch owners also use the same tactic to attract more deer into their vicinities. For these purposes, learning how to build a deer feeder can truly be a very worthwhile experience. To learn exactly how to get the job done, follow these simple and basic instructions on how to build deer feeders.

Before anything else, it is necessary to procure all the right tools and materials first before moving on with the building process. The required tools in making deer feeders include a pencil and a paper, a tape measure, a posthole digger, a hammer, and a saw. In the meantime, nails, wood, and feed are all the materials needed to build stable and reliable deer feeders.

When building deer feeders, the process can be classified into five separate parts, namely the location, the trough, the roof, the fences, and the foundation. Let's take a closer look at how to do these things the right way.

Choosing a Location
When selecting a location where to build a deer feeder, people must first consider the number of deer they are planning to feed. For larger numbers, a complex deer feeder may easily get the right job done. However, a simple backyard feeder is enough when planning to feed just a few numbers of deer.

Creating the Trough
In all kinds of deer feeders, the trough plays a very important role especially because it is where the feed is to be placed. In order for a trough to be effective, it must be spacious enough to accommodate a deer and at the same time simple looking in order to avoid attracting unwanted animals from gorging the feed. At the same time, it is important to arrange the walls of the trough in a slightly slanted position to allow the deer better access to the feed.

Making the Roof
The roof is another important aspect of deer feeders because it keeps the food dry. In making the roof, simply attach four poles on the outside corners of the trough. Another important thing to remember is to choose poles that are high enough for the deer to fit inside.

Installing Fences
In making deer feeders, fences can contribute to the overall effectiveness of these stations. Because deer are very much wary of all the predators near them, it is best to install some fences around these structures. By doing this, the deer will feel much safer and they will stay longer within the fence. When making fences, it is important to remember that the feeder must be stationed directly inside the fence, and can hold in between 20 to 50 deer all at the same time.

Creating Foundations
To make the deer feeders stronger and more stable, build a solid foundation for the structures by cementing their poles directly onto the ground. This is necessary to keep the feeding stations from collapsing.John Grant is a the author for a how to site where he is writing articles about how to build a deer feeder.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/hummingbird-feeders-sheltering-natures-lovely http://www.artwoo.com/article/hummingbird-feeders-sheltering-natures-lovely#comments Wed, 12 Apr 2006 16:00:19 +0000 hummingbird feedershummingbird feederbirdshummingbirdsstalessugar solutionreservoirs http://www.artwoo.com/article/hummingbird-feeders-sheltering-natures-lovely birds, the first hummingbird feeders were typically constructed out of laboratory apparatuses. These were constructed primarily to attract the birds that would normally fly around a garden. To these, the response of the manufacturers is to market and create sugar-water feeders. Many of which are uniquely created thus giving logic to the high cost of each feeder. But most are mass-produced to provide such equipments to the larger public.

Like with most things in the market, hummingbird feeders come in literally all forms of shapes, sizes and designs. The ideal feeders are those that can be cleaned easily and hangs readily. These must also be sturdy and must have limited number of parts that can be separated or broken. Majority of hummingbird feeders comes with both glass and plastic reservoirs.

Glasses have longer lifespan and may be cleansed easily but may shatter when dropped. Plastics on the other hand are relatively cheaper than that of the glass reservoirs but discoloration is notable.

Small feeders typically have only a port for feeding while larger feeders have three or more. Many of which may provide perches for hummingbirds to rest upon while feeding.

The most common mistake among novice feeders is the buying of overly sized hummingbird feeders. This is wrong since the water-sugar solution easily stales even before the arrival of the birds.

One hummingbird feeder may not be enough for the birds in a moderately sized garden. It is best to place two or if possible, several hummingbird feeders throughout the garden. Chances are, the dominant birds would not defend all locations. This may welcome larger number of birds in your place. Logically, it is a good idea to put these hummingbird feeders in locations where you may observe the birds feeding. After all, the sugar solution we give is just a bonus the birds get for dropping by in our places. They, at all rate, can survive even without our help.

Most hummingbirds are gone during winter. This is because they migrate to the tropical regions. If in any case a bird visits you during this season, it is likely that it is genetically inferior and cannot travel. To provide shelter for such birds, some enthusiasts prefer to leave the hummingbird feeders outside their homes, offering both food and sanctuary for the lovely creatures. The sugar-water solution in the hummingbird feeder must still be changed daily.

When choosing a hummingbird feeder, most experts recommend those that are red in color. Though there so little scientific research to support the claim that hummingbirds are especially attracted to red, most feeders seem to appear in shades of red. Plus the common practice of dying the water sugar solution with red. Choose a hummingbird feeder that has excellent protection over ants.

It is also good to restrain from buying a yellow-colored feeders. This is to avoid the bees and wasps from being attracted to the feeder. Look also for feeders that have built-in perches and those that are small. Only when you have determined how thick your visitation of these birds is, may you only start using bigger feeders. This principle will prevent the nectar solution from spoilage.

Hummingbirds are truly marvelous to look at especially with their aerial display. This probably is reason enough why most enthusiasts go crazy over feeding hummingbirds. About The Author: Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides hummingbird feeder resources on http://www.your-hummingbird-feeder.info ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-bring-nature-to-your-back-yard http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-bring-nature-to-your-back-yard#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:25:01 +0000 hummingbird feederattracting butterfliesbird feederclimate zonetypes of birdsbird bathfire pit http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-bring-nature-to-your-back-yard bird feeder, or include a bird bath to encourage little visitors to enjoy themselves near your home.

Plant Flowers

Did you know that some types of plants and flowers are more likely to attract butterflies and hummingbirds? A visit to your local library or an online search will tell you which flowers will do well in your climate zone and attract these creatures to your yard.

If you are interested in attracting butterflies to your yard, you will want to include flowers with the type of nectar that they find appealing. Your garden should also include plants that caterpillars will like to eat as well. Hummingbirds will visit your yard if you make a point of including such plants as:

=95Cardinal Flower =95Red Columbine =95Indian Pink =95Red Buckeye =95Trumpet Honeysuckle

If you already have your garden planted or you aren't sure whether any hummingbirds will actually come to your yard, then another option is to start simply. Buy a hummingbird feeder, fill it with sugar water, and put it outside. Keep an eye on the feeder to see whether any hummingbirds find it. (They may be difficult to spot, since they are so small.)

Put Out a Bird Feeder

There are any number of styles of bird feeders on the market. Before you decide on one particular type, do some research to educate yourself about the types of birds that are native to your area and what they eat. Armed with this information, you can decide whether you should be buying a feeder that is hung from a tree or a post, sits on a table, or is meant to be placed on the ground.

Doing your homework means that you will know whether it makes sense to hang a suet bag or invest in a hummingbird feeder. Knowing in advance what kinds of seeds or feed to buy will make your trip to the store easier than if you try to make a decision after you get to the mall. When you are deciding where to put your bird feeder, do keep it well away from your fire pit.

Step out the Door

So you've built this beautiful outdoor oasis, now you just need to find the time to enjoy it. So turn off the television. Really, you can TV Survivor if you really have to. Remove the excuses for not going out by making plans ahead of time. Invite the neighbors over for a beer or hot cocoa. Show a date or your spouse your romantic and thoughtful side. Or just sneak away and relax on your own.

If it's getting late in the season, or chilly in the evenings try a small fire pit or chimenea to stave off the chill and add to the ambience of the scene you've created. This can extend the time you're able to spend in your natural habitat and let you enjoy your own back yard. http://www.premierefirepits.com fire pits. find hundreds and hundreds of http://www.premierefirepits.com/fire-pits.html fire pits and http://www.premierefirepits.com/chimineas.html chimineas at this premiere online shop. From marble and stone http://www.premierefirepits.com firepits, to even more high end http://www.premierefirepits.com/fire-pit-tables.html table fire pits, you can find it all here. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-droll-yankee-bird-feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-droll-yankee-bird-feeders#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:29:59 +0000 droll yankee bird feedershummingbird feedershungry birdshummingbird feedersquirrelsnectarseeds http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-watching-guide-droll-yankee-bird-feeders Droll Yankee Bird Feeders come with a Lifetime Warranty. For any damage that's caused the company will replace any defective parts and free of charge. This lasts for as long as you own any Droll Yankee Bird Feeders or other items. The warranty doesn't cover any misuse, neglect or accident caused by you.

While there are many types of Droll Yankee Bird Feeders to choose from only two of them are mentioned here. The first of these is the Tube Feeders. These feeders can be mounted on a pole or hung from any place that you deem as being good for you to see the birds that come to your garden.

The seed is poured into the clear tube and the feeding stations provide access to the seeds through small openings. This feature provides the tube with its squirrel resistant feel, but birds can still get to the seed without a lot of harassment from the squirrels. The tube can't be eaten-through by the squirrels either.

Unlike other tube feeders the Droll Yankee Bird Feeders includes an extra long extended-top area. This area acts as a storage facility for extra seeds. When the level of feed gets very low you it refills the tube with what's in the top area. Therefore there's less chance of hungry birds at the higher placed feeding stations. To let the birds eat in peace each feeding port comes with its very own perch of which there are 4-8.

Another of the Droll Yankee Bird Feeders is the Hummingbird Feeders. These feeders are easy to clean and refill, with the top lid snapping on and off easily. As the feeder is a horizontal circle you get a clear view of any Hummingbird that stops by the feeder.

The nectar guard tips, which is a trademark feature, and fits securely on to the port feeding stems and blocks ants and bees from entering the Hummingbird Feeder and getting to the nectar. There are 8 feeding stations. Each of these ports comes in the shape of a red flower. The outside edging of the feeder provides a sitting ledge for the hummingbirds while they drink the nectar that's in the bird feeder.

The feeder is made from UV stabilized impact resistant plastic. It's 10 inches in diameter and will hold 1 quart of nectar. The feeding ports are easy to remove and clean and the brass hanging rod is very durable and looks great too. You'll also find a nectar recipe engraved on the lid of these Droll Yankee Bird Feeders.

As you can see from these two Droll Yankee Bird Feeders buying one will have many advantages for you. And with so many of these bird feeders to choose from you know that you can't go far wrong. Droll Yankee Bird Feeders are some of the best on the market. Author's Sites: http://dogi-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://cat-food-recipes.blogspot.com , http://www.easyhomeremedy.com/pet_care/natural_pet_care_index.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-attracting-birds-to-your-back-yard http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-attracting-birds-to-your-back-yard#comments Sun, 02 Jul 2006 16:27:09 +0000 species of birdsbird feederbird bathfeathered friendsdust bathhttporiole feeder http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-attracting-birds-to-your-back-yard
The first thing the birds need is food. A simple bird feeder with mixed seed can provide your birds with food, or you can go for something more complex, to attract more species of birds.

Thistle seed will attract many species of birds, such as some finches, that other wise would not come. Likewise, you may want to put out suet, or other "special" foods to attract more birds. Of course, during the summer, put out a hummingbird and/or an oriole feeder.

The second very important thing birds need is shelter. Birds have many predators out to catch them -- everything from hawks to cats. Some people will go so far as to build brush piles in their yards to shelter birds, but that is rather unsightly, to say the least. An easier solution is to plant a flower bed filled with some evergreen bushes, ground cover, etc. It will look great, and provide a haven for birds.

Another thing that you can offer birds is a bath. You can provide them with a typical water bird bath, or you can provide them with a dust bath. A dust bath can be as simple as a patch of sand underneath the bird feeder. Nothing fancy is required!

Last, but not least, you'll probably want to provide your birds with nesting houses -- a safe, dry place for the to raise their families! Of course, be sure that you choose appropriate houses for the species of birds that you have nesting in your yard. If you're fortunate, you might get to watch a pair of birds raise their young -- few things are more exciting to watch.

In summary, give birds what they need and want, and they will come to your yard -- and you can enjoy their colorful beauty. Be sure that you're outfitted with a pair of binoculars from Nikon or Olympus to watch your feathered friends with! Check out http://www.thompsonoutdoors.com/index.php?cPath=24_39 for great discounts on binoculars! ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/chemical-energy-why-we-use-it-more-than-any-other-form-of-energy http://www.artwoo.com/article/chemical-energy-why-we-use-it-more-than-any-other-form-of-energy#comments Tue, 01 May 2007 12:10:02 +0000 chemical energymost commonly usedfossil fuelschemical reactionschemical reactionchemical compoundatoms http://www.artwoo.com/article/chemical-energy-why-we-use-it-more-than-any-other-form-of-energy chemical energy is by far the most commonly used. Whether in the batteries that power all of our handheld devices and their chemical reactions, or in the millions of uses we've developed for fossil fuels and their numerous chemical reactions, chemical energy is a staple of our daily lives. Coal is burned for energy throughout the world, gasoline combusts every day in our vehicles, and natural gasses are burned for heating energy every night.

It's on a very basic level that chemical energy is stored. A chemical compound is composed of very simple collections of atoms, bound together. When the bond between these atoms loosens, a chemical reaction takes place and new combinations are created. Very simple reactions, such as the oxidation of metals occurs almost constantly.

However, when a chemical reaction occurs that is exothermic, in which energy is actually released and the chemical compound is reduced, it is possible to harvest that energy for our everyday use. The very simple processes that we observe every day such as the warming of the ground when the sun beats down on it are the same basic concepts that apply to these chemical reactions. For humanity to fully harness this chemical energy though, it's necessary to understand just what happens and how we can make it happen.

Chemical energy is stored in every bond between atoms in a molecule. If a molecule is broken down and reformed into new molecules, energy is released. This kind of reaction is present in every chemical compound we see; however it is the yield of energy that differs. Food, for example, is chemically broken down by our bodies and taken apart to obtain energy within our bodies. After the energy is removed from the food, the new molecules are separated, energy absorbed for our everyday use, and waste removed.

Another example of a simple chemical reaction used to obtain energy, is in the photosynthetic process a plant undertakes to garner energy from the sun. So much energy is present in the light of the sun that a plant is able to take it and apply to existing molecules in its own structure and create new ones with the presence of carbon dioxide and water.

Chemical energy is the easiest and most efficient energy source to store and utilize, if only because it is so readily available, found in nearly everything we use. Chemical energy, as used by our bodies has been the source of life for billions of years and the developments in chemical energy technology has led to long lasting rechargeable batteries and hopefully in renewable energy resources in the future. For more information on energy resources visit http://www.energyresourcesnet.com/ ]]>