Category Archives: Garden

Tear Drop Trailer Bird Feeder

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I’ve always wanted to build a Tear Drop Trailer for camping. So when I saw a mini tear drop seed feeder on the web, I decided to make a similar seed feeder for the yard.

The one on the web was more of a thistle seed feeder and I wanted to use larger seed to attract White Crowns, Dark-eyed Juncos and Finches. I think that the Finches and Juncos will go inside to get the seed, but the White Crowns are too large.

I thought that I would completely open the two sides to hold the seed. I began with the side layout on scrap plywood. The finished feeder will be about 7″ x 5″ x 5″ in size.

I used a hand coping saw to make the curved cuts.

Here is the layout for the base, with trailer hitch included.

Once everything was cutout, I glued and screwed the two sides to the base.

I used heavy gauge paper to make a template prior to cutting the rolled aluminum, which I fitted to the cured side pieces. Once positioned, I began screwing it in place.

I lightly stained the plywood and added side details and silver paint on the frame.

I bought a toy truck for $3.00 and removed the wheels. I simply cut the truck axle in half, drilled a small hole in the wooden frame and pushed each wheel into position.

Here is the trailer with seed inside. I put a piece of aluminum foil inside the trailer and tossed in a handful of seed. I also put some on the ground to entice my first avian visitors.

It won’t be long and all that seed will be gone. Those snowbirds will be Happy Campers!

Pumpkin Fun!

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Halloween is always a great time of year. If you let your ‘spirits’ run free, you can really get creative – especially when it comes to carving pumpkins.

One year a friend saw a picture in a magazine and said, “You can do this.” So, I gave it a try and this was the result. We were both really pleased at how it looked illuminated. Glad I took this picture before it was snatched off the front porch by goblins.

For many years at work, we used to have pumpkin carving contests. The VW bus was one of my entries. I found this design on line and copied it.

Do you see the image of musician Frank Zappa below? This was a very unusual pumpkin. When it was not illuminated, it looked like, well nothing but holes. When lit up… his eerie image appeared.

Another work pumpkin entry was a Pumpkin Planetarium. This was a foam pumpkin with lenses and a strobe circuit board inside. The pumpkin moved and really projected beams of light. Here it is on display at a local Space and Science center. I know, who would do it?

Probably my most ambitious pumpkin project was this Totem Pole. It began as only four real pumpkins (illuminated on the right side). They looked so good, I bought a bunch of Funkins (foam pumpkins) and made a larger totem pole and stand. I know, who would do it?

You should do it… that’s who. So what are you waiting for… get carving and have fun!