Abstract: Access to a bird feeder by squirrels is prevented by providing a rotatable member which must be stepped upon by the squirrel to reach the feeder. The member preferably has a low friction surface and, when it rotates, causes the squirrel to fall to the ground.

Abstract: A process timer, particularly suitable for photographic processing, provides a pre-recorded continuous spoken indication of elapsed time, thereby permitting an operator to remain aware of the progress of the process without the requirement for visual monitoring of elapsed time. The spoken elapsed time indications are at selectable intervals and may be chosen so that longer intervals (e.g. minutes) are signalled during some portions of the timing cycle and shorter intervals (e.g. seconds) are signalled during other portions of the cycle. Automatic timed operation of external equipment is also possible as is the automatic resetting of the timer upon completion of a predetermined time interval.