Meanie!

We've had morning glories in the past. They just take over whatever area they were in.

We didn't allow them to come back this year, though they tried.

 

They don't die back in the winter here. They just keep getting bigger. I swear some of these stems have annual growth rings.

 

Forgive me, I'm going a little off topic here, but I didn't want to waste a new thread with this. Every year, for about 15 minutes, I have these birds migrate through my yard. I'm not sure what kind they are, but they suddenly appear in huge numbers, then are gone in few minutes.

It's my first video / youtube, so it's a little shabby, but it's still kinda neat I think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQn0Yw256sQ

The first time I saw these birds, they completely covered every bit of my yard. I couldn't see anything but a mass of shiny black birds.
(I'm getting quicker on the draw with the camera these days)

 

My guess would be grackles.
I swear when they go through up here it can be a thousand birds.

 

My first guess as well. Second guess would be red wing blackbirds. Did you get close enough to see red eyes (common grackle) or red wing parts (male blackbird).

Then again, they might have been starlings. I couldn't hear the calls very well.

 

AHHHH... .I believe you are correct Sirs.
Based on the call and appearance, I believe we're dealing with a Grackle here.

...or.... several zillion of them

 

The first snow has arrived. It was about 28F this afternoon and the resident Hummers were hungry. Grabbed a few pics.

 

It's that cold and they are still with you?

 

These guys hang out year 'round.

 

Beautiful pics.