To answer your question....

I heard that question! The answer: Eight bird feeders with a wide variety of treats, one hummingbird feeder (rarely visited), one combination fresh water dispenser and bird-bath. Two squirrel feeders. ~~ The investment was modest; the enjoyment is enormous!!

To foil a thief !!

I went shopping this afternoon and bought a plastic dome advertised to stop squirrels from invading the bird feeders. See for yourself: He was in a precarious position (closeup picture #5) but he was getting the sunflower seeds!! I clapped my hands and sent him on his way. He sat a few yards away and chattered his disapproval!! My thought had been: The shield and the noise of dangling wind chimes would stop him. It just made sense to me that his movement (up the pole) would vibrate the wind chimes and the sound would frighten him. The little thief did not return before dark so I'll have to wait to see if my makeshift deterrent works. ~~ Ignore the time stamp. I actually prepared this about 8:20 PM but wanted it to follow today's previous blogs. ~~ Watermelon rinds (for the raccoons) bottom corner of next to last picture.
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Postscript, 8/22/11: At 5:30 AM the wind chimes awaken me. A raccoon was climbing the pole!! ~~ No argument: Sunflower seeds are very desirable!!

One very determined squirrel !!

Actually, Monday morning August 22, 2011. One very determined squirrel!! Maybe he is thinking: "OK, I can't get to the sunflower seeds so I'll settle for the fruit & seed mix."

Who's the boss ??

Actually, Monday morning August 22, 2011. Forgive me for this comparison but that squirrel is more fun than a Three Stooges movie!! He is not afraid of me and I was close enough to touch him!! He looked at me and said "I'm the boss!!"

Problem solved !!

LORRAINE IS THE BOSS!! The "favorite food" bird feeders were moved to hooks from the eave of the roof--where squirrel-friend cannot get to them. I preferred those large feeders on the Shepherd's hooks but "a gals gotta do what a gals gotta do." My bird-friends are temporarily confused by the move but I think they will adjust to the transition. Songbird seeds, and suet, replaced fruit & seed mix, and sunflower seeds on the wrought iron Shepherd's hooks. (Ignore the date stamp; actually published Monday, Aug. 22, 2011.)

Postscript, Monday August 22, 2011

Postscript, Monday August 22, 2011, 5:00 PM: I haven't been able to photograph the frustration of friend-squirrel. He looks up at the bird feeders; he paces along the wall and patio glass doors looking for something to climb on. He even stood on his hind legs, close to the patio door, begging me to resolve his dilemma ("S'il vous plait"). At this moment he is on his little squirrel-feeder chair eating corn. He knows how to lift the lid of the feeder. For awhile, he would lift each time for a kernel of corn. Then his tail began to twitch and I sensed his frustration. He butted his head against the lid so it is standing wide open. See pictures of similar behavior. I'm positive he can see me in my living room, sometimes in my leisure chair, sometimes at my computer. I think he is a God-given gift to entertain this too-depressed-to-go-to-work old lady!! I wish getting rid of depression was as easy as stopping the squirrel from raiding the bird feeders!! ~~ 5:40 PM and I have three squirrels on the patio!! ~~ 6:10 PM, and then there were four!! ~~ 8:00 PM and one little "pig" is still monopolizing the feeder!! ~~ 8:20 PM (not even dark) and the raccoons are here for watermelon rind and stale bagels.

Postscript, Tuesday August 23, 2011

Postscript, Tuesday August 23, 2011: To my amazement, last night a raccoon climbed the wrought iron Shepherd's hook and stole the brick of suet!! Imagine the dexterity of climbing the pole and opening the door of the feeder!! Now I have wind chimes hanging from that hook.