Wow, I can't believe what balls these people have! Gen, you shoulda called cops..you caught your tomato thief.
Gina, how about a fence? I have a 6 ft stockade all around back yard & a gate to enter yard that I can lock. Many years ago & before the fences, people used to cut through mine & others yards & took whatever they wanted...clothes off my line (during day!), my hoses etc. No problem since fences. I have in past set up my camcorder at night, but it only runs for 4-6 hours.
Joe, I'm interested in that camera too...sounds a little over my head w/ 'puter stuff though.

I have a 5' high fence in my back yard.. though it did not stop the Jerk in question.. wire cutters were used to take out a section that I had to replace.. I am currently mulling over the idea of a thorn hedge lining my back yard.. they kept stealing the light bulbs out of the back yard light. I figured out it was to spy on my girls bedroom.. I went out one night to replace the light bulb.. looked around and noticed that there was a clear view of the upstairs bed room.. Though.. since I stapled thick blankets over the upstairs windows the light bulbs stopped coming up missing.. I'd really like to catch them and make sure they get a nice home at Osawatomie..
The house use to get "broken" into.. before I could lock the back door.. the house is over 100 yrs old and the back door couldn't be locked.. I finally was able to get a dead bolt that worked with the door and house hold things stopped coming up missing.. but out side stuff missing and damaged has increased..
Think I need to line my yard with motion sensor cameras.. Hubby and I have spent sleepless nights trying to watch for them to catch them in the act but never have been able to..
sounds like the camera you describe would fit my needs very well Joe.
Gina *BabyBlue*

Oh, you poor thing! I'd love to catch those idiots too! Mike from F. Dragon Nursery said someone bought a bunch of FD as a hedge to keep neighbors dogs out & it worked. Yeah...THORNS! Can you move the motion detecter higher & out of reach?
You mean they cut through a chainlink fence? This has to be neighbors of yours...someone living nearby. You probably see them all the time in day.
If you have a camcorder, set a trap..leave lights on outside all night & start taping before you go to sleep. Maybe they'll come by & take bulbs out.

I'm thinking prickly pear cactus.. I'm going to see about trading a friend some Lilly of the valley for some of her cactus.. I think it would be great in my back yard.. and I love eating it..

Think that might help??

Gina *BabyBlue*

Speaking of Prickly Pear Cactus!!! My neighbor gave me a big one last yr & told me to just lay it on soil ground & it would grow & survive winter. I really didn't believe it would but sure enough-- it rooted & has babies growing out of it! Now, how do you eat them? Got any recipes?
I really don't think they will help prevent burglars Gina. They will just step over them, as they grow on the ground. It'll only hurt if you step on barefoot.

Here's the details about the internet camera:

model: DCS-900W
D-Link
2.4 GHz Wireless Internet Camera
SecuriCam Network
802.11b Antenna
Web-Based records 24/7
Free 24/7 Tech Support
Built-in Web Server
10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet connection

Thanks Joe. And where did you buy yours may I ask?

I bought mine from Fry's electronics. There's one at Santa Clara.

Here's fry's web site: www.outpost.com
and here's the camera and it's price $79.99

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3950278?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

That one is not wireless which I'd recommend. Although the one I got is wireless (regular price $129.99), the wireless option is not that secure. My model is no longer supported nor on sale, that is why I got it for only $40.

However, if you really wanted a secured wireless camera, there is a better wireless one and this I would recommend, it is model DCS-G900:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4805360?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If you want to go heavy duty and super good resolution and have the money $500, here's all the models to choose from:
http://shop3.outpost.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&query_string=internet+camera&cat=0&submit.x=0&submit.y=0

But for your basic needs that do not have wireless option, I'd stick with DCS-900, the $79 model, it is good enough for most applications.

Joe thank you VERY much for the info..
Gina *BabyBlue*

Lulu, I love the geese story! Never thought of that. Irish wolfhounds are too loveable to attack a burglay. Big dogs look scary cuz they're big-- they are not attackers -- just like a Great Dane I had...she loved everyone- even cops & mailmen!
Here, if a burglar injurs himself while breaking into your house, they can sue. Even if they break & window & get cut by glass they broke. GO FIGURE.
I like the idea of thorny plants.

Well.. I have made an agreement with a person to trade some of my lily of the valley for some of her prickly pear. also going to plant some black berry along the fence. Might have to move the grape that is growing there.. any one know how difficult moving grape vines are? Guess I could leave the grapes. These grapes have been grown from seeds and this will be their second year to produce. last year the grapes were size of peas.. I'd hate to loose the plant as the parent plant has long since been removed. (was elderly neighbors that passed away couple yrs ago, new owner removed it)

the thorns on the prickly pear I'm trading for are about 2 in long.

as for recipe.. I don't have any.. all I can remember is mom would shave the burs off and dip the leaves in batter and fried to golden brown.. have also eaten it grilled over high open flame. the flame cooks off the burs and thorns.. It has been about 20+ yrs since I've had prickly pear.. sept for the fruit.. I use to pick fruit on walks and cut off the thorns and eat as a snack on my walks.. also ate hooked barrel cactus fruit same way.. I kept a pair of leather gloves in my pocket to protect my fingers when I went on walks. but at the time I lived in NW NM and would climb mesas on my walks as well and often needed hand protection. One thing I miss about living there all the public lands and NO TICK checks after walks...

Right now the trees are doing well.. I have them moved to a location that I feel is safe for them.. highly view able to a "nosey neighbor" *sweet old lady with nothing better to do, love her dearly* and they have a light on them all the time.
I am still planning on the "security system".. I'm saving up for it.. Budget,,, budget,, budget.. I'll catch the jerk eventually..
Thanks for all the input!!!
Gina *BabyBlue*

I didn't know thorns on prickly pear were 2 inches!!! Are these the flat oval shaped things with many short, fine prickly things on them? I see them for sale in some produce sections. You can eat them whole? (after shaving them of course LOL)
My neighbor gave me one with 2 "pears" on & said to just drop it on ground & it will grow, & to my surprise it rooted & even survived winter here! Also has some new growths all over.
Grape vine should be OK to transplant but better in fall. If you cut branches now, they might 'bleed' a lot. What kind of grapes ya got??