Thanks phlash46 for the kind comment.

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks erickter for looking and the kind comment. Seems like one dismal day turns into another one. Calling for another 3" of snow today then turning to freezing rain. 😩😩. Time to crawl back in bed and hibernate a bit longer.

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks rlaugh for stopping by and the kind comment, tis appreciated.😁

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks Transbuff for looking and commenting. These birds are Northern birds that for the better part of the year are found in the northern boreal forests of America. However, at the right time they would/could find them in Iowa. In fact I have seen them in the winter even as far south as Florida. Just put out a Feeder with Niger Seed (thistle seed) and they will surely find you.

LittleRed (Ron)

They say its spring, but it sure the h**l doesn't act like it this mid-April Sunday. Brisk northwest wind of Lake Superior, 6 inches of snow on the ground and more coming, below freezing temperatures and so dark and dull its hard to see the feeders at the back of my lot. So, what to do to kill some time, well, break out he camera and try and catch some BIFs in the back yard. Not the best circumstances but twas a pleasant way to spend the PM. Also, had to do it Sunday as the flocks of Siskins and Redpolls will be leaving soon and heading north to the boreal forests for the breeding season. (Its now Wednesday and the flock of 200 birds that were here has dropped to a copla dozen now)
Like I said, the conditions were not real good - poor light and brisk winds. With as low ISO as could be used but keeping the speed up to catch the action meant that the depth of field took a kicking. But you go with what you have. Twas damn cold in the blind too. But considering they didn't come out to bad. Could be worse, but could be much better. I was hoping for one day with bright sunshine but that didn't happen. No sun seen for over a week. Hope you like my attempt at catching these little guys flying around my back yard.

LittleRed (Ron)

Common Redpoll

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Common Redpoll 2

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Common Redpoll 3

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Pine Siskin gliding by

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Pine Siskin

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Pine Siskin 2

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Pine Siskin 3

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Pine Siskin "dogfight"

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People, people, people, take a break and just look at the numbers, they are staggering.

I agree that the Chinese have done a number on North America for many years, but in reality it may be a wee bit late to quickly change that fact. People here say that the Chinese need us more than we need them. This may have been true in the past but I don't think this holds as true any more. According to the World Trade organizations China income from exports to North America is approximately pegged at 20%. The balance of its income they receive from other areas, with 50% from countries in its own sphere of influence. This data is shown by a previous poster of this thread. So, only 20% of its export income comes from the USA, Canada and Mexico. (And Canada at the present time negotiating for a free trade deal with them). So, tall in all I think a trade war with China, while it would hurt them, would in MHO do much more damage to America.
Remember that China now and in the future will need to supply a lot of its exports for home use by their ever growing population, especially the enlarging middle class (buyers of cars,TV, etc). Good God, the population of that country is now over 1.4 billion. Can you just imagine the numbers of cars and TVs. They will sop up a considerable amount of the goods that were destined for us.
If some workers in China lose their jobs no one will know or care. That's the way their system, unfortunately works. However if for some reason the tariffs set by the USA on all those likeable trinkets become too high that the Chinese stop shipping them, pray tell me just how many Dollarama, Dollar Trees and the like will continue to exist. Even good old Wally World will take a helluva hit. Just how many of our jobs will disappear, and be assured that we will hear about that. And that's just one example of how a serious trade war could effect us. Perhaps we could switch to other sources like Thailand or others, but remember that most of the states that could help are all WITHIN China's sphere of influence, especially politically. Need say no more. We probably in time could produce these trinkets ourselves but who are we going to get to build the factories (expensive) or staff them. Who in hell will someone pay a person $20 an hour to make a$1 item??
Take a look at the list of items Trump has included in his tariffs. I don't really see anything that I would consider earth shaking to the Chinese. However, look at the Chinese list. They know how to play dirty, it appears. Here is just two examples of their tariffs that will surely hurt America. First, soybeans. Last I saw China imported from the USA 14B$ of these food products. They are the largest importers in the world for these from the US. When and if the tariffs become too large what would that do to the American farmers when they can't sell their crop??? And don't say it can't happen just look at the buying run right now on the Brazilian crop, a country who would be more than happy to take over the American orders. (Without the tariffs). Secondly, pork products. Last year China imported from the USA a total of 1.1B$ of pork. A high tariff on this product would be devastating to the American hog farmers. Another loss of home jobs, another bunch we will surely know about (the only comically fact on this is that the Chinese themselves would be hurt personally by the fact that 1 in 4 pigs raised in the USA belong to them. They would be paying the tariffs on all their pork the send home. For many years the Chinese having been buying up many US farms unopposed including the large company Smithfield Foods of Virginia. They also must like the sweet Virginia hams like I do). As I said these are just two of the high-profile items they have selected.
Last but not least, the political side. In China the Emperor has made himself leader for life. He doesn't have to worry what will happen in 4 years. If his people are hurt by a trade war, who will really care? The tariffs set by Trump will in fact probably not mean anything to the farmer in the rice paddy. However, that might not be true here. The loss of jobs and businesses here means much more to our politicians. Here in 4 years yee might be out of a job. Big difference. And it appears that by intent or not the Chinese have selected items that possibly will hurt Trump and his party in the future if this trade charade gets out of hand. By picking soybeans and pork for example it will affect the farmers of middle America where 8 of the 10 states helped carry him to the Presidency. Will this happen next time?? Or will the people opt for someone else.
I agree that for years China has been getting away with murder on all fronts. But it will overly difficult to reverse the trend. If it is to be done its gonna take a helluva long time, not in my lifetime (am 75), nor my children's, and probably not my grandkids. It's sad but that's how I see it. We've let it go much too long without stopping it. We can start by just buying what we can that is made in America. That's what I have been doing for many years. It's damn hard as so much stuff we consume is not "homemade". Just go to any grocery store and buy a American can of mandarin oranges or mushrooms. If you find one made here let me know as I can't find one in my location.
Our only hope in my opinion is for negotiations to be successful so that both sides are (partly) happy, but I'm afraid I'm not holding my breath. I think in reality that's the long lost "pipe dream" of this century.
Ah, Boss just put the kettle on, time for tea. Sorry I'm long winded but tis something that has bugged me awhile

Good Even'n to all

LittleRed (Ron)

I also is an avid feeder. I usually have at least 3 suet stations active all year. I have found that in most cases the birds prefer home-made to store bought. However I still put some of the commercial stuff up as a emergency ration. My mixture is a bit different than yours, being
3 parts cornmeal
1 part lard
1 part crunchy peanut butter
1 part flour or rolled oats
1 part seed (usually sunflower seed hearts)
Mix all together to a consistency of playdough.
I use a short piece of log into which I drill fairly large holes which I fill with my dough. This I hang from a tree branch using a very thin wire, which keeps the tree rats and coons at bay. I also hang it sufficiently high so that the Bruno's that frequent my area to prevent them from tearing them down.
Using this recipe and feeding method I have never had to worry about leftovers. Must be working as last summer I had 7 Pileated (4 adults and 3 juvies), 2 Harry's along with 4 Downies eating me out of house and home. All winter I've had a constant stream of Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Chickadees visiting daily. Lately I've been forced to sometimes make up more than 1 batch per week. The only complaint I have as the cost is constantly going UP, and my hobby is getting a wee bit expensive.

Just a quick update on the Piping Plover I have shown. Just received this information from the organization that keeps track of these banded birds. This bird, banded as T14 was banded as an adult June 2014 on the Missouri River near Bismarck, ND. Since then he has returned to the same area to nest every summer.

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks smilenangler for coming by and commenting, twas appreciated.


LittleRed (Ron)

Thank you very much Warrior for the impressive number of thumbs-up. Not used to getting that many. All were appreciated.

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks Vince68 for looking and commenting.

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks for dropping in spudkota and commenting.

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks itsnoelb for the kind comment, tis appreciated

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks fer looking and commenting nimbushopper.

LittleRed (Ron)

Thanks Swamp-Cork for the kind comment. I agree and been more than slowing down the past few years. The quick 2 day drive down I-75 to Florida has now become a 3 to 4 day jaunt. Also I now find that doing BIF's handheld with my 150-600 (specially at the far end) is just a fond memory. But life is what you make it and me and the better half are still having a helluva time and plan to continue to do so till the last minute.