Sunday, April 22, 2012

Splash!

Originally, I had scheduled this to a be a post on our new bird bath here at El Presidio, but a more colorful subject came my way and stole my heart:)
This is a Lorikeet and it was time for a bath.  One of the fun things about birds is their habit to wash up in a puddle of water, bird bath, or near an area of water that is shallow and still.
And that's important when searching for the right bird bath.  You don't want a dish that is too deep.  It has to have an easy escape and not feel like it will drown. Much like people.
When searching for a bird bath, there are a billion and one ideas out there.  My personal favorites are the brightly colored ones! Like this Lorikeet.
But even better.  My absolute fav?  A rock bird bath.  Now that is perfection!  Several of you have bird baths like this and they look amazing in your gardens.  So as you can imagine....a rock bird bath, a colorful parrot, some splash.....and me with a camera. What's a guy to do?
As I am into birding more, I am wanting more action from the birds outside.  So I am providing them reasons to stop and play at El Presidio.  Not only are birds important but these little art pieces we put into our gardens add a sense of magic and wonder. 
Imagine a hot summer day in Tucson.  You're coming home after a long day at work.  You see wonderful shade and birds taking a bath.  Now that's a cool idea:)  So much more to come.....
Side Note: Make sure that the dish is slighly filled with water and not completely full.  Birds like to get their feet wet and roll around in the water. But can be easily spooked and need a quick escape.  Otherwise your bird bath will just sit:)

19 comments:

  1. Thats a lovely bird bath Chris - so natural looking. Wonderful photos of the beautifully coloured Lorikeet. Love hearing about the birds you are seeing in the garden and the alterations you are making to attract more wildlife.

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  2. Oh my gosh! I'd think I'd faint if I had such a colorful, beautiful bird in my backyard. These pictures are priceless.

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  3. What a beauty! I can't imagine having such a colourful bird in my garden. It was certainly enjoying the bath. I have a bird bath in my garden and it is always fun to watch the birds in it. I always know when the Starlings have been in it as most of the water has gone and what is left is extremely muddy! Goodness knows how they get dirtier than other birds... or maybe they are just more diligent bathers :-)

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    1. Speaking of Starlings....I saw my first one here in Tucson....dirty bird indeed:)!! They love to steal the locals' nests:)

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  4. What a great photo opportunity. I love this little guy in the bird bath. The colors and he looks so cute all fluffed. Thank you for sharing.

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  5. really sweet! gorgeous bird to do a demonstration for you, too. :)

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  6. Very nice Chris, looks like you have the right birdbath for your location. That Lorikeet is having a great time! Good photos too.

    I have provided several size saucers with different depths and find the birds select the one that works best. They also like a limb to sit and check out the area first.

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    1. I was thinking about you when I put this post together because I remember you having a pic of a birdbath in your garden. I liked the look of it and tried to find something similiar. I put it by branches so that they can get up and out real quick....as it's getting hotter, they're really going to town on the water. And I'm glad it's there for them.

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  7. These are delightful shots. Such a pretty bird and fun splashing around.

    There's a plugged drinking fountain in the campground near where we give campfire programs and I always add just a little water for our feathery friends.

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  8. Wow that's quite the accent piece! The bath certainly is enticing--I'm tempted to hop in there too with this recent weather.

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  9. Wow, what a beautiful bird! I'd give anything to see something like this instead of the blackbirds, doves and thrashers I see everyday.

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  10. :) You still could. This is near Picacho Peak....now if Magpie would jump on board:) It's at the Ostriche ranch. Although I wouldn't go today....it's way too hot!

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  11. Z radością oglądam kąpiącego się kolorowego ptaka. Zdjęcia są cudowne. Pozdrawiam.
    We are happy to watch the bather colored bird. The pictures are wonderful. Yours.

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  12. Gosh lovely photos- my birdbath is just a common pedestal type, but it is under a weeping tea tree and the bird love to swoop down, have a dip, then sit preening on the branches. We have lorikeets feasting on the high branches but they never use the birdbath - maybe I need a rock one .... mmm.

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    1. You are soooo lucky to have Lorikeets. These are beautiful birds. Very fun to watch in the wild I imagine. They have a huge bird room with just Lorikeets flying around.....and they are very social:) I can only imagine what they're like around your home:)

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  13. What a gorgeous bird and I love to see them enjoying a good bath.
    Sorry...Magpie is probably in for the summer. :(

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  14. That's a really nice set of a very colourful bird and obviously a very thorough bather :-)

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