Hello, @parus, @loribmt ,@johnbishop, @sueinmn, @becsbuddy and all enjoying the view!

IN, another state I've missed. Never enjoyed your state, whish I'd taken the trip to IN, MN, MI, TX, visited CO, CA, but missed so many! Been and lived in many Southern states, some Northern and a bit overseas, but missed some.
Hot? I was enjoying the last few days of the Mayo falcon fledglings, the temp was 98 degrees in Rochester! They had a nice breeze, but that's hot for those babes. They were breathing with open mouths, flapping most of the day, cooling and exercising, laying splayed out wings open on the nest floor....I felt sorry for them, way south in Fl where it was in the mid-80's. And, Sue, you just had a snow recently!

It's another rainy afternoon, so everything cools off, helps my plants. I haven't yet set up a watering/drip system for the pots and plants. I need to chat with someone, probably at Lowe's, to help set up what's best. Saw a lot of ideas online, but can't yet figure it out. I need SUE for help! What about hanging baskets, if the squirrels don't destroy them first?

I'm moving my birdbath a bit away from the tree for more openness. I think they'll like it better. Fountain is still on the ground, @parus. It's heavy, 2 bowls and a ball on top, a concrete stand I bought to replace the one the squirrels broke last year. I bought this fountain on a buying trip to Atlanta for my shop I owned my fiance and I enjoyed it on our porch. I don't want to lose it but can't get it up and going by myself. So, here we go.....

Yes, the lovely lavender/raspberry finch-like birds are house finches, not purple finches. that's sad about the eye disease, but I looked them up yesterday to find the female and realized I mis-labeled the beauties. They are lovely. I will enjoy photographing birds, as I mentioned to Lori. I'm getting the old film camera that belonged to my fiance, ckg it out completely. Lori, I'll let you know what I find, the lenses and such. It may not be useable since it's film....but I still hope to use it.

Well, the squirrels are really bad! I think you're right....I made it worse by feeding and encouraging them. Too soft hearted, but getting less as they destroy my feeders, fountain, birdbath, decorations and plants. I will stop them....any ideas? I bought a couple of feeders w/springs, they can eat from them if they stretch from a limb and don't stand on a perch. Better. All my feeders, but the suet/woodpecker wire tubes, have tops to shelter from rain and to keep squirrels off...that helps. If I get them far enough away from limbs they can use to stretch or jump. I have 2 window feeders they can't reach after moving plants so they can't jump to them.

Haven't seen any more hummers, as I've been spending more time upstairs last couple weeks. Need to get some walking in, but not until I see cardiologist tomorrow and have CT. After I'm sure it's ok, walking is back in and so is pool. I need some activity! Actually, doing the work on the patio w/feeders, etc, was too much, although lots of fun.

Your sister hopefully will love the Villages. Those who live there love it. I have several friends who moved and enjoy the friendships and activities. One good friend moved back, not to Fernandina Beach, but from Villages. Too much for her I think. Too many people and too close. They're growing more now, building like crazy.

Off to ck on birds and try my phone on camera again. Wish me luck!
Enjoy your warm days and be well. Blessings all., elizabeth