Despite having lots of rain all summer, the birdbath is really getting a workout lately. I guess sometimes nothing beats a real bath! The birdbath is located in what I call the Wild Garden, which features plantings for all sorts of visitors including butterflies, hummingbirds, honeybees and other pollinators. Fresh, clean water is an important part of the overall attraction of this garden. And the birds take advantage of it almost daily.
birdbath in Wild Garden (click on any image to enlarge)
Robins are frequent visitors. This one was joined by an English Sparrow in mid-bath.
Robin taking a bath
it was solo for a bit
then it was joined by an English Sparrow
Baby robins got in the act one day. You could still see the spots on their red breasts. There were three of them splashing around to begin with.
Baby robins like the birdbath too
they acted like they were old pros at bathing!
water was going everywhere
Then they were joined by a 4th one. For a minute it was standing room only! It might have been one of the parents checking up on them.
four robins means standing room only at the pool!
Bluebirds visit the birdbath sometimes, but they seem to be shy about being photographed. I managed to catch a female there one day and she was quickly joined by a male goldfinch. The goldfinch stopped by for a drink, while the bluebird wanted a bath. In my haste to catch the bluebird these photos are somewhat obscured by some foliage up closer to the camera. It was the best shot I could get in a hurry!
male goldfinch and female bluebird
goldfinch gets a drink while the bluebird preens
the goldfinch leaves while the bluebird dives in
I hope you have enjoyed today’s look at some of the bathing beauties at Happy Acres. I sure have a lot of fun watching them in the water! I’ll be back soon with more of the happenings around here.
Hi Dave,
Very nice photos!
Thanks Susan!
I am so happy to see that you have a bird- and butterfly-friendly yard. Great shots. Makes me nostalgic for Indiana. And it reminds me that I need to fill our bird baths and seed feeders, as well as our hummingbird feeders.
I am continually tweaking the plants in the Wild Garden, as I see what attracts the most wildlife, and what survives our summer and winter weather. I need to do a post on that sometime!
Love your shots, Dave! I have several feeders and a large plant saucer I put water in for the birds and other critters… would love to get a genuine bird bath, but they are so expensive! Maybe some day… meanwhile, any port in the storm as they say!