Thursday, May 31, 2012

Splish splash, they'll be taking a bath...

Every summer I wander around and photograph the various birdbaths we have in our yard.
2008's post is here; 2011's post is here.
(Excuse the yard photos - we haven't put down new bark mulch yet, which the yard desperately needs. We'll see if the budget allows for some later this summer.)

There used to be 3 birds on this one. Over the years, two of the birds fell off and were probably raked up with leaves in the fall and tossed out by mistake. So now, this one little fellow sits and waits for friends to come and set for a spell...

He used to hang from an oak tree branch next to our deck. Sadly, we lost that branch in last October's freak snowstorm, so this year he's been moved to the patio.

This waterfall fountain sits on the patio. It gets a lot of squirrel and chipmunk action.

The squirrels and chipmunks also love this small gazing ball birdbath that sits next to the swing set deck.

The finish on this birdbath has become mottled and has taken on a greenish tint, even though the water is clear.

It sits in the backyard between the gate and the garden angel.

These three little cherubs patiently say their prayers while waiting for the birds to come pay them a visit.

This little birdbath hangs from the cherry tree in the backyard.

Another little bird is perched on the rim of this small mosaic birdbath.

This bath sits in "the secret garden," an unkempt, overgrown area next to our backyard shed. The birds really enjoy this bath, probably because it is so private.

This fountain birdbath sits on the deck. It seems a Japanese Beetle is enjoying the water bubbling out of the top and running down the sides.

This is the heated birdbath, attached to the deck railing by the backyard. In the wintertime it gets plugged in and moved to a part of the deck visible from the dining room window.

If the birds were voting for their #1 birdbaths, all of the following would tie for first place. This is just a large green plastic saucer/drip tray from an oversized pot. It's deep and wide, and the birds love to bathe and splash around in it. This one sits in the front yard under one of our hoppa crab apple trees...

...but we have another in the backyard, next to the girls' old tree house (now the gnome home).

Our cement pedestal birdbath developed a crack a few years ago. We've 'patched' it and it has held water temporarily, but for the last two years I've just placed a large, inexpensive "chip" bowl from the Christmas Tree shop in the basin. And the birds l-o-v-e it.

In fact, the birds love these large baths so much that I stocked up last year (I think they were $1 or $2 each at CTS)...

... and I've put them all over the backyard.

 This one sits between Mary and garden bunny, next to the shed (and you can just make out the base of the "secret garden" birdbath in the background!)...

Another sits on top of this tree stump. (We salvaged this large piece of the trunk from the huge, gorgeous maple tree that we lost, another casualty of last October's snowstorm.)

And the last one sits on an old metal table in the front yard under the window box by the garden gate.

I hope you're all enjoying lovely weather. It's been gorgeous here in the Northeast!

I'm linking up to the Cottage Garden Party at the beautiful Fishtail Cottage
and to Show & Tell Friday at the lovely My Romantic Home.

Donna

15 comments:

Larry said...

You certainly do have a lot of wonderful bird baths... I have trouble keeping up with cleaning just one! Larry

Larry said...

You certainly do have a lot of attractive birdbaths... I have trouble keeping up with just one! Larry

Donna Heber said...

Hi Donna,

Your gardens look so enchanting with your birdbaths and statuaries! I rarely see birds using mine - not sure why that is. I very much enjoyed my garden tour. Happy Gardening!

Unknown said...

I have some nice bowls that do not get used, I may copy this idea...love the feel of your gardens.

Victoria said...

What a super beautiful post and inspiring garden...love your birdbaths..totally blissful and so lovely for the birds!
Victoria

Visiting from fishtail cottage.

Claudia said...

I think I have to make a visit to the Christmas Tree Shop. I wonder if they still have those bowls? Love, love them. You have so many birdbaths, Donna! My lone birdbath needs some friends, I think!

xo
Claudia

Suz said...

Glad I found your blog...
ha..I thought I had a lot of birdbaths....you win
and I love your kitties...I have three...all found me
your garden looks so inviting

Lori said...

What a pretty garden you have! I love all the birdbaths...I have the little hanging one w/the 3 birds on the edge too.

Fishtail Cottage said...

love your gardens, but i especially love all of the available bird baths with water you have in your gardens...a birdie sanctuary! thanks so much for sharing over here at Fishtail Cottage's Garden Party! xoox, tracie

Claus said...

I didn't know those were called Japanese beetles! They look awfully alike to what we call here "ronrones", which usually come down from the sky in late May, when our summer season ends, and the rainy season starts. Gorgeous secret garden! Very inspiring.
Greetings from Guatemala!!

Susan said...

Great collection of birdie baths, Donna. Loved seeing your photos.

I have two feeders and a birdbath in our backyard but cannot attract birdies so far.

I'm trying to keep Honey Cat indoors but maybe the birds still think there is a wildcat in our yard. ha hah a Susan

Cindy Rippe said...

Love your collection of bird baths Donna. I hope you have time to sit back and enjoy all the fun the birds are having! Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Elaine said...

Love all the birdbaths. If i were a bird I think the heated birdbath woulkd be my favorite followed by the printed mosaic ones.

You certainly are good to all living things that pass through your yard not to mention the ones inside your home!

Sandy said...

Hi Donna,

Thanks for visiting me today. It's always good to hear from you. I'm finding more and more people in blogland who have had a loved one who suffered with AD. I hope one day to be able to create a link about my mom to talk about what the experience was like but I'm not ready yet. Although it was a sad journey at times, I did have many moment of joy!

Fishtail Cottage said...

Letting you know you have been featured over here at Fishtail Cottage! xoox, tracie