Make your own pine cone bird feeder
More than 40 people attended last week's Turkey Trot hike through Kenue Park and ended the Thanksgiving celebration by making their own pinecone bird feeders.
If you didn't attend, why don't you grab the kids, head out on a wintry hike today, find some pine cones and make bird feeders of your own?
(Okoboji seagulls aren't sea gulls at all.)
Start by tying a piece of twine, string or yard around the top of the pine cone to make a loop for hanging.
opens IMAGE file Grab a tub of shortening; you can also use peanut butter if you don't have nut allergies, and spoon the shortening onto the pine cone.
Once the pine cone is covered, roll it in bird seed. We used a thistle seed, but you can use any mix that you have handy.
That's all there is to it! Hang that bird feeder outside and see which little feathered friends show up to sample your offering.
opens IMAGE file (Grackles, blackbirds and starlings don't like safflower)