a  female  hummer came to the feeder at the same time a Rose-breasted
Grosbeak  was
> singing beautifully from a bare branch,

Gail and all,

We have finally been Hummered. Ours showed up tonight but has probably been
here all day. He seems skittish. Won't tolerate us in view (Back door etc.)

However I'm sure he'll soon settle in, be joined by others and the battles
will be on. The obvious question - will this be the year that poor Unca
Jerry finally gets impaled? I know that to keep from being skewered on the
beak of one of these critters I've got to stay alert and look both ways
whenever I go out back. With some luck I'll make it. Pray for me.

Jerry Tarbell
Worried but optimistic in Carroll County