The recent high temperatures have brought a constant flurry of activity to our two backyard birdbaths. Birds from all over know to line up for their chance of a cool splash on a hot day.
The bath near the woods is ground level, nestled among the grasses. This makes it seem like a natural puddle, and it is very popular with cardinals, house sparrows, chickadees, house finches, and especially robins. Robins love to bathe all day long, no matter what the weather.
The second bath is a pedestal surrounded by the graves of beloved pets and flowering plants. Smaller birds favor this site. And it is not unusual to see American Goldfinches and chickadees jostling for a prime position on the bath's edge.
My husband and I have noticed that there is always a lot of bird chatter in our woods, whenever we bring out the hose to refill the two swimming holes. The entire local avian population watches us with unseen eyes as we perform this activity. And yesterday, when I had finished this chore, I was convinced there was a very distinct "Thank you very much" from the direction of the trees!
