Birding on Deck: Bird Feeding
Welcome to our third in a series of articles about backyard birding “On Deck!” The first thing to know when it comes to feeding your backyard birds is that there are different types of feed and feeders for different types of birds. It can, unfortunately, be a bit overwhelming for the beginner, as there’s a seemingly endless array of options and effects. There are “loose” feeders such tray, tube and house (or “hopper”) styles, suet or seed cylinders, bark butter pellets and tubs, and specialized feeders and food for birds such as hummingbirds, orioles and goldfinches. There are various placements[...]
We Want Your Best Photos: Picture This! Contest
Are you proud of your deck? Well, we’ve got some good news for you: It’s that time again – time to start sending in your best photos for our annual Picture This! contest. This is your chance to show off your deck décor, furnishings and personal touches. Got some colorful hanging plants or a lush growing garden, a beautiful sundial or other outdoor art? We’d love to see all that greenery and artistry as well as those dinner party “glamour shots” of you and your loved ones out there “On Deck” enjoying yourselves to the hilt. Show us how good[...]
29 Years and Still Going Strong
This month, July, DeckTec officially entered its 29th year of business. It’s not a milestone anniversary like a 25th or 30th, but another year to celebrate nonetheless. Over the years DeckTec has managed to survive and grow through more than a few boom and bust cycles. However, nothing compares to the crazy demand we have been experiencing this year. In fact, after the economy tanked in 2008, my father grew concerned and asked me what I planned to do if no one wanted a non-essential home addition like a custom deck anymore. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer for him. I just[...]
Little Brother John’s Jalapeno BBQ Sauce
Nothing says summer like a barbecue, and nothing says barbecue like BBQ Sauce! Try this BBQ sauce as your next backyard event, courtesy of John Sparhawk! Ingredients 2-4 Jalapeno peppers, minced 1½ c. ketchup 1½ c. jalapeno ketchup 1 c. yellow mustard ¼ c. Worcestershire sauce ¼ c. apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp. garlic powder 1 tbsp. onion powder 1 tbsp. ground black pepper 1 tbsp. salt ½ tbsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. cayenne pepper ½ tsp. liquid smoke ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg ¼ tsp. ground cumin ½ c. honey 1 c. brown sugar Directions Combine[...]
Birding on Deck Part 2: Woodpeckers, Birdhouses and Nesting Structures
Welcome to our second in a series of articles about backyard birding “on deck!” You can find the first article here You may be thinking, “I want to attract birds such as robins, wrens and hummingbirds to my yard, but I don’t want woodpeckers poking holes in my house!” Well, of course you don’t! No one wants holes in their house, but according to Scott Menough, co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Lakewood and host of BirdTalk radio on KNUS and KDMT, there’s nothing to worry about. “We don’t look at woodpeckers as pest birds, although we may be concerned[...]
