I have a feeling the Juncos will outnumber all the birds again like last year. Chickadees and Nuthatches, along with Sparrows and Wrens have all been at the bird feeders. I've also noticed a new hummingbird hanging out in the Cherry tree in our front yard. I can't figure out what it's going to, I haven't seen it at the feeder, just flying in and out of the tree.
I peeked outside to see a Spotted Towhee hopping around and singing in our front yard. He flew off before I returned with my camera.
This little guy was so into his bath he didn't notice me taking pictures.
This Song Sparrow would sit and rest, almost like he was daydreaming, before he would dive down into the water.
Here he goes, ready to get wet...
Splishing and
splashing his little heart out. How can they make such a big splash with so little water?
He must have repeated this whole bathing routine three times while I was outside.I'm going to get all the feeders filled today so that the birds will continue to visit during the count. Someone mentioned in their post last year about putting some seed or food close to the house so they could get some good close up pictures, I think I'll try that too this year.
Dear Catherine, What enchanting pictures. I do think the idea of a Bird Watch Day is such a good one and also great fun to do. I imagine that there is something similar in the UK but I am not totally sure.
ReplyDeleteAs I may have mentioned, it seems to me that the number of types of birds to be seen in and around London becomes fewer each year. It is a little depressing and rather sad.
Cute little things aren't they? I may try to participate this year. Things have slowed down here-though with four more inches of snow last night today should be interesting. At least I can stay inside and do it. Off to check your link now.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, I love those photos of the bird splashing in the birdbath. I think I'll go out and do some birdwatching today.
ReplyDeleteOh my..what a sweet-heart!! Such a fun spirted little one..great action shots! yay!..it is so fun watching them! Keep me posted on your new fella...hmmm..see what he or she is up to!! Cool!
ReplyDeleteKiki~
Oh that's too cute... the little one taking a bath.... ;) I've so enjoyed this post! Happy countings!
ReplyDeletecielo
How sweet! I imagine they can splash so much water with all those feathers. I did put bird feeders close to my house so I could take photos. But whenever I go anywhere near a window, they seem to see me bringing my camera up to my face and fly away. So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Reminds me of that silly song, "Splish, Splash I Was Takin' a Bath"! Amazing that you were able to capture the entire thing without the sparrow deciding to fly away. Thanks for the reminder about the bird count. We might do ours in a park, since we don't have feeders at the moment due to rodents. :( Hope you see a ton of birds!
ReplyDeleteHe is a messy bather isn't he?!?!? He's really cute tho. I can watch them forever.
ReplyDeleteHope you see lots of different birds for the count.
I think you need to sign that bird up - he's a star.
ReplyDelete(How do you avoid double, triple ...etc counting of the same bird?)
Hiya Catherine
ReplyDeleteHe's a character that Song Sparrow.
That's a great sequence of photos of him taking a bath
Rob
These pictures a so cute, I love birds and I hope you get to see lots this years.
ReplyDeletexxx
Those are such great photos of the bird bathing. He was really getting into it. I put water into my finch cages and they can look like wet rats when they get done. Thanks for sharing such great photos.
ReplyDeleteProspero - We never have such a flock of birds that I worry we double count the same birds. But I'm not sure how they take that into account for some places, like parks, that people count in. I wonder if they have some type of margin of error for that type of thing.
ReplyDeleteThose photos are cute. Watching a bird bathing is fun. Sometimes one of my budgies goes crazy when I place the bath-dish for her. She'd dip in at least five or six times until she looks like a wet ball of fur. It's a funny sight!
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDeleteThat Song Sparrow is going to town! Love the last shot. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post! That bird is so cute in the bath. It looks nice and fluffy!
ReplyDeleteI am getting ready...thanks for the reminder. Birds are a joy to watch. gail
ReplyDeleteI hope all the birds in the area know of our count too and come into the garden for me! LOL... Robins, chickadees and juncos with the cardinal pair and the crows chasing the poor red tailed hawk about... I hope more will show up! Sweet little sparrow... terrific captures.
ReplyDeleteHow cute! That sparrow must have been cleaning himself up for a lady friend!
ReplyDeleteSplish, Splash, I was takin' a bath... long about a Saturday night! (You have to be older to remember that song!) ha. But it's appropriate, isn't it? Wonderful pictures Catherine!!
ReplyDeleteAdorable!! Loved the splashing pictures too!
ReplyDeleteI missed this yesterday. I don't think I've ever seen pictures of birds splashing like that. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face this morning!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of the sparrow made me chickle. All the best with your birdcount!
ReplyDeleteI am excited to participate this year. Have been practicing photographing and naming the birds correctly. Hummers 'usually' use feeders as supplement feeding. Your Hummer must be getting what it needs from nature right now.
ReplyDeleteI love watching the birds take a bath. Robins especially delight me but this little song sparrow is adorable too. Looks like he got clean everywhere!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder about the bird count. One of my neighbors called last night and reminded me too. There shouldn't be any excuse for me to forget this year. Especially when she said you could print out the count sheets from the website? Is that what you do?
Maybe your new hummingbird is building a nest? Wouldn't that be great?
I'm late, I'm late but had to play outside yesterday in our nice weather we're having.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing more birds too but no new ones, just the stellars and the juncos that have been (hiding) here all along.
Bob saw a hummingbird the other day too. Wonder what's up with that?
I planted trees with feeders next to them close to the birdbaths for better close shots. They can hang out in the trees while waiting in line to bathe. ;-)
Thanks everyone for visiting. I love watching the birds splash around!
ReplyDeleteKathleen - I do print out the sheet from the website. That's how I reminded myself, they're sitting right next to the computer. They also print a list that's for your area so you know what to be looking for.
Thanks for the reminder! Those pictures are darling and put a smile on my face after a bad day - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI am ready to count!! I love this.
ReplyDeleteYour little sparrow in the birdbath is sure having fun. That first picture he looks a little dazed.