On Bird Baths and Fountains

They line up for it.

They fight over it.

Sometimes, they even share it.

The bird bath in the new garden.

I've discovered that the reigning kings & queens, princes & princesses of the backyard bird bath are the robins. I have at times had as many as five robins actually on or around the two baths while as many more are perched in the trees not so patiently awaiting their turn.
They must be the avian world's clean-freaks.

Mind you, they don't all take baths - at least not all at once. But they are there either drinking, bathing or hanging around much of the day. There have been other birds at the baths (one of which is a plastic basin sitting on the ground the other is a fancy bird bath). I've had mature and juvenile starlings, bluejays, cardinals and sparrows. But the robins rule.

The place to be if you're a robin.

And, I've had little visitors to my fountain as well. The "leaves" that catch the flowing water are a nice size for a chickadee bird bath.

Splish, splash . . .

The new backyard is proving to be lots of fun for everyone!

For more bathtime fun, go here!  http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24178555

I Don't Want To Go In.

By Sandra Richardson

Nope.

I don't want to go in the house.

It isn't just that there is unfinished housework in there. Not just that (as is usual) there are pockets of clutter that need tidying. Not even that I have shirts to iron.

It is just too beautiful a day.

Actually, too beautiful two days. I started this in the evening of the 10th and am finishing it up mid-afternoon on the 11th.

No.

I didn't stay out on the deck all night. Although if I'd had one of those patio canopy thingys with the fabric screen sides, I would have been tempted to. It was that fantastic outside.

In other news, the backyard makeover is almost finished. I'm about 3/4s finished with sanding the seams on the small patio. The door from the house to the new, small, patio needs to be purchased and installed - do you install doors? Should it be put in? Set in? Placed? I know you install appliances and pastors, software and light fixtures, but not sure if you install doors. But that's what's left to do, that and some rigging for a shade thing that I've got planned for the small (and very sunny) patio.

The door will also blend into another project that was actually planned before people gave me outdoor plants that morphed into the huge backyard makeover. I will be cleaning out and redoing my workroom since it has to be cleared out anyway to install the door. It will be be totally cleared out, old carpeting ripped up and thrown out. New paint on the walls, something done with the cheap texturing that's working it's way off the ceiling, and after all that and the door is done, new carpeting put in.

Then - I'm taking a break for a bit on the remodeling. Not too long, but I need a break.

Earlier this week, Ray and I planted butterfly bushes along the south and east sides of the small patio. They have already had visitors:

A Buckeye Butterfly

A hungry juvenile male Hummingbird

The rest of the photos are here:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/24171003

I was also wondering if anyone else has noticed what I've noticed. It seems the robins are starting to flock already, and I can tell that the hummingbirds are eating more to get ready to migrate (they look like they're pregnant). It's about a month early for both of these things to be happening. Have you noticed? Let me know and . . .

Go out and enjoy the nice weather if it's made it to your area!