Hammocks have been around for years and there is no better way to relax in your own backyard, then to be in a hammock on a warm afternoon or evening.

Can you picture yourself in your hammock (with your partner) on a warm romantic evening, and enjoying the cool breeze and the peacefulness of the surroundings of your own backyard island paradise.

For the average home owner who searches for a  water feature they should find one that is self-contained, meaning that they do not require water to be plumbed in; the water is cycled from a hidden basin, and is repumped by a small water pump. The pump and basin can either be in the water feature, or buried underground (in the case of an outdoor water feature).

A water feature may be indoor or outdoor and can be any size, from a table top water fountain to a large indoor wall fountain that will add the soothing sounds of a waterfall to your surrondings and help relieve stress.

If you are a birding anthuist, as I am you will want to  decorate your home with many different seasonal items.  I like to use several different decorative birdhouses and birdfeeders with Christmas or winter themes.

These unique Christmas bird houses and seasonal bird feeders can also be used around the outside of your home and then either packed away to save for next year or left out for the remainder of the winter season. 

Winery

Have you ever though and though what to buy for that special person who has everything?  I spent hours looking for a gift for a friend of mine who loves boating and I believe I found the perfect spot for to find that sort of gift.  I came across a site that has theme based decorative birdhouses.  You can choose from several categories like I did.  They have boating and fishing birdhouses, country birdhouses, beach houses and even a cute category for all other needs.  I picked out the perfect birdhouse for my friend who loves boating.  I got a Yacht Club Birdhouse and at a reasonable price!

This site has lighthouses, churches, city buildings, restrauants and many many more to make it a special gift.

Wild bird feeding is a very engaging and entertaining winter pastime. It also is very beneficial for the birds’ health. The cold weather months make it difficult for wild birds to find food. Backyard bird feeders provide much needed assistance in this regard. Three specific items, if properly maintained, can optimize your wild bird feeding experience, ensuring that many different species of birds visit your backyard feeders all winter long. First, of course, you need one or more bird feeders; second, you need a birdbath; and third, often overlooked, you should put up a winter roosting box.

Bird Feeders 

Bird feeders come in all shapes and sizes, often accommodating the different ways birds eat. For example, juncos and sparrows forage on the ground, so platform feeders easily meet their needs. Meanwhile, finches and chickadees are drawn to tube bird feeders filled with seed.

If you place a few bird feeders of various styles and use a combination of seed, fruit, and nutmeats, you can greatly increase the number and variety of visiting birds. In fact, adding to the variety of food you provide for the birds will more than proportionately add to the variety of birds at your bird feeders.

Bird Baths 

A water feature, like a birdbath, has a magnetic effect on birds, as long as you pay attention to a few details.

• Change the water every few days to keep it clean and healthy.
• Add a drip or mister to your birdbath to maximize your bird traffic - moving water is far more effective at attracting wild birds than still water.
• In the winter, you will need to keep the water from freezing. A submersible birdbath heater will keep the birds coming, even in snowy weather.

Roosting Box 

The birdwatcher who can provide a bit of protection from the cold winter nights will likely be rewarded with a greater variety and frequency of birds at their feeders. Wild bird roosting boxes are built to accommodate several individuals. The lucky birds, now sheltered from wind and rain, can huddle together for warmth. Imagine a clean, fully stocked bird feeder just a few yards away from the roosting box. That would be a very busy and entertaining place in the winter.

Place your roosting box on a metal or wooden post, on a tree, or on the side of a building. Make sure it is facing away from prevailing winds. If you can mount the roosting box so that it faces south, it will get the most warmth from the sun in winter.

Whether you purchase a wild bird roosting box or you make one of your own, make sure it meets these criteria:

• The roosting box, unlike a nest box, should not have ventilation or drainage holes - the idea is to keep heat from escaping.
• Roosting boxes built in a horizontal orientation may have a few perches that extend from one side of the box to the other, while vertical roosting boxes will likely have several shorter perches that are mounted in a stagger pattern. Either way, there must be plenty of room for several birds.
• The entrance hole should be located at the bottom of the roosting box. Heat rises, so an entrance hole placed too high will cause the roosting box to lose heat.
• The roosting box needs to be accessible for cleaning purposes. The top or the front of the box should be hinged for easy opening.

One or more bird feeders, a birdbath with a drip or mister, and a nearby roosting box are the makings of a successful winter of wild bird feeding. Go put your triple play together today, and enjoy the results. Happy birding!

by MICHAEL RASCO

When choosing a birdhouse, check the material that was used. The best building material is wood. Never use metal because it tends to trap heat inside.

Those log cabin birdhouses are perfect. They are made of wood, are durable and rainproof. A birdhouse must also be easy to clean. The roof must be extended in the front to protect from rain.

It is always a delight to see a butterfly. The colors and design on the wings may vary. These are popular insects that play an important role in pollination.

Butterflies are becoming popular as themes in weddings. Most weddings nowadays even make use of butterflies being released into the sky as a symbol of good luck to the newlyweds. It is no wonder butterfly houses are also becoming the rage these days.