For some reason, now that our temperatures are slowly cooling, the house and lesser gold finches have been throwing one pool party after another in our backyard fountain. The finches are here year-round, although they've been less actively present since I stopped filling the bird feeders in the interest of discouraging visits by the peacocks that discovered my garden earlier this year. I still haven't filled the feeders as I plan to take them down, clean and move them once the dead trees near them are cut down next week. So, why the finches are paying regular visits en masse to the fountain is perplexing but I'm not complaining. They've been having a great time and I've enjoyed watching them. Here, with just a few comments, are some of the shots I captured from my bird blind (i.e. inside the house alongside the fireplace between the dining and living rooms).
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| This photo was taken without a telephoto lens but the rest were taken using one |
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I love the splash shots
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Hey, where'd everybody go?
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Beak down, wings up!
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Thanks for sharing the bath but I'm out of here!
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I hope you find joy on wings or otherwise during the course of the week. For more Wednesday Vignettes, visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.
All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Birds really do get into their baths. Always feels good when you attract birds to your garden.
ReplyDeleteAs I haven't been putting out seed for months now, I'm gratified that the birds keep on coming anyway, Elaine!
DeleteCute birds and great photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chloris! The zoom lens made a big difference in the quality of photos this time.
DeleteOh this is so sweet. I love how the finches are enjoying the fountain. You have created a welcoming place for them.
ReplyDeleteWe inherited the fountain with the house and garden. I'm very happy to have it.
DeleteThey sure are fun to watch. Some of the goldfinches take multiple baths a day. They eat the Gaillardia seeds from the spent flowers so stopped deadheading the Gaillardias.
ReplyDeleteHad several Western Bluebirds in the urn a few days back. That was exciting.
Enjoy the cooler weather!
The cooler temperatures are a joy. HB. There's a small chance of wet stuff falling from the sky this weekend too. Dare we hope?!
DeleteGreat shots. Did a double take because I thought you had an English robin in there for a moment.. the red breasted ones.
ReplyDeleteThere is an American robin but I've never seen one here, Jessica. The house finches (the ones with the red coloring) always startle me as they're so much bigger than the lesser gold finches but the two species get along swimmingly (pun intended).
DeleteJust delightful. Must be lovely just to sit and watch the birds having fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy every time I see them in the fountain, Jane, but these large group pool parties are pure joy.
DeleteWhat fun! Love seeing these photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could capture and share them, Pat.
DeleteNow that looks like one fun pool party! All the cool kids are there. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, one of the larger birds - a mockingbird I think - swooped in at one point but, instead of taking over, he decided he was out-numbered and headed off.
DeleteAww, wonderful photos, Kris! I can't believe how many there are bathing, all at the same time. They are adorable!
ReplyDeleteThere were close to two dozen there at one point I think, Anna.
DeleteThis is a joyous post indeed. Watching this happy flock will put a smile on any face, instantly. Some of those guys look like they just enjoy sitting in the water, chilling.
ReplyDeleteI think they like to rest between rounds of splashing about ;) Or maybe they're just waiting for the right spot to open up to splash in. The top tier of the fountain is filled with shells to offer them a comfortable footing but some areas are deeper than others.
DeleteThat's pretty fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI hope they'll still visit as often after the mimosa tree is gone, Loree. It seems to be one of their favorite perches. I'm already feeling guilty about cutting it down and there's still a week to go before that happens :(
DeleteJoy received!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad! We all need it!
DeleteDelightful, Kris! I love your captions with the photos. I feel I was joyfully watching them along with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased you enjoyed them too, Kay!
DeleteWe are getting Pine Siskins coming to our feeders and fountain. Last year we didn't get one. This year is an irruption year. We have also had Red-breasted Nuthatches. They didn't hang around as long tho. Love seeing your fountain alive with beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteThe cedar waxwings usually hold pool parties in the fountain too but I didn't see any of them during their migration season this year. Possibly, they passed by because the Toyon was dying and failed to produce berries to fortify them.
DeleteOh what fun they are having Kris!
ReplyDeleteThey're continuing to visit the fountain but not in the numbers they did on that particular day. What was special about it isn't clear but it was fun to watch, Anna.
DeleteSo sweet!!!
ReplyDeleteThey were! I've no idea why, for a span of several days, there were so many stopping en masse for a bath.
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