Reporting back. I got a nice long email from the head biologist at FWS and he copied the other biologist I had emailed. He feels that what I am finding is likely a more prevalent,although protected, mussel and requested I send him the empty shells I've found for identification. He said what I am doing , relocating the mussels that have been left high and dry to water areas, is exactly what they do when walking the beds of a stream they are examining. He was very nice and very thorough in explaining what the FWS does and is doing. The relocation I requested for the mussels he says is not possible at this time but they are negotiating with a landowner further down the creek system closer to SC and it may be possible at a later date. Here I was half expecting to get hollered at for moving protected species (to save them) and he essentially told me to continue doing what I am doing. And, so I shall. And, so should you, Blueangel ('cept maybe for those snapping turtles..so you get more frogs) At least your critters are 'ambulatory'.

Roger, Taking an off topic off topic is no biggie. I appreciate your input. Been playing a lot with aperture settings the past week to see the effects it has on different situations. Would love to have the 70-200 for my daughter's gymnastics. Probably get a macro lens before that one though. I did quite a bit of research before investing in this lens. A lot of people don't like it and say it's soft. But a bunch of professionals love it and use little else for wildlife. I think if a complete rookie like me can get decent shots with it, it's a great lens. Thanks Glenda. I may have to get a suet feeder to encourage it to visit the house more often. randy

Vannie, It depends on what you want to take pictures of. DH & I love our Canon Power Shot A series digital. We are on the second one, the first was still working but we had a chance to upgrade so we gave it to a young friend. It is great for all around photos and snapshots and is excellent indoors and out. As a simple point and shoot it is easy to learn and use. With only a 3x optical zoom it is limited for what you can do with it outside, especially taking pics of birds and animals. My Dad just bought a Kodak Easy Shoot - I don't remember the model but it is nice in that it has a 10x optical zoom. While it is also simple to learn and use, the zoom is wonderful - you can get close-up shots without spooking birds or other animals. I didn't get a chance to play with it, but one point was really good. With a USB cable connection to the computer the included software will handle downloading the pictures to the computer and clearing the memory card all with one step - plug in the camera. For a novice or someone who does not want to fiddle with the technology, that is great. My main camera is a Nikon Digital SLR that I can change lenses on - I've got an ultra wide angle lens, a middle range zoom and a telephoto zoom. But this is a serious camera and commitment to investment in equipment and time to learn to use. I get a lot of wildlife shots but mostly bought it to take portrait of horses. ;-) I suspect most of the digital cameras in the $150-250 price range would be good. We generally buy our point and shoots right when the new models are being introduced. That is when we buy the previous year's models at a tremendous discount. They are new cameras, never used, still good technology. But our last Canon that listed at close to $300 cost us $125,

"Winter is coming" Stace! I'm pretty sure the Ice King and his army of frozen zombies aren't making it to Arizona. I have my thermostat set to 83º and it feels refreshing. Its definitely warm. (P.s. if Im the only here who watches Game of Thrones, then that refrence made no sense). Glad you get to enjoy your hummer for the next few days at least! Mom said she hasn't seen them since early September. The butterflies on the other hand have completely overtaken the yard, when I was loading my stuff onto theoving truck the other day they were swarming me. This years Painted Lady migration was a sight to behold! And so is that face shield feeder, wow thats something else! I omce heard about a lady who was so desperate to attract them she would hang up red sheets around her yard, mever found out if it worked or not... Those little hummers are tough! They also have a cool feature known as "torpor" that allows them to baisically "hibernate" for short periods to prevent starving and freezing to death when the mercury drops. I love watching the hummingbirds, too. I did see one when we got to our house down here, and when we came down a couple weeks ago to look at houses we saw a bunch. Now I have to remember where I packed my feeder away at so I can hang it up! Next time your down this way Slybird, just make the extra 3-4 hour trip down to the west side of Phoenix and say hello! Well. If you don't want to, yoi should at least make it to Petrified Fortest N.P. and the Painted Desert up near Holbrook in the N.E. part of the state. That place is incredible!