Monday, December 24, 2007

THEORY MEETS REALITY

The recycled bird bath as critter feeder was a good idea, in theory. And it would probably work in any area where it doesn't rain so much. So I adapted something a co worker uses as a bird bath. She's had good luck but we live just a few blocks from the river so water for the birds isn't a big issue.

The bowls are plastic planter bases. I guess you can buy the tripod chains. But, we were at Jerry's and they have all the makings. And thanks to dad's tool collection we had all the tools to put it together. Six lengths of chain about 12 inches long, enough S hooks to put everything together, a heavy duty awl and a pair of blunt type needle nose pliers later we had two serviceable feeders. Use the awl to punch a few holes around the lowest part of the bottom of the bowl and the water drains out fairly well. They can be brought in over night to let the seed dry out if you have to.

It's been a hoot watching the squirrels figure it out. I think this one wrapped his hind toes around the bottom of the big S hook and used a front paw to pull the feeder close enough to reach the goodies. These are much lighter so when one of them tries to drop into the feeder it's ride 'em cowboy the first time.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like the critters are having a wonderful holiday.

Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Cin

Anonymous said...

Merry Everything to you and your crew!

xxx
Russ