Friday, June 27, 2014

Song of the bird-bath



Before I start on my monsoon photos, here's one last look at something that sings of Summer ... my bird-bath. Do you remember the most frequented area in my garden (by the birds, I mean)? It has been seeing feathered traffic like never before all summer long!

 This Red Vented Bulbul had the time of his life puffing out his feathers and splashing so the water could reach and drench each and every part of his body.


This pic was not clicked in my garden but I just couldn't resist adding it. That little patch of water dripping from a tap had put this bulbul in an ecstatic mood and he was singing his heart out. I love these Red Whiskered Bulbuls with their cheerful birdcalls! Have you heard it?

Usually the sparrows and the finches are the last to get a chance to luxuriate in the water. Every time a bigger bird shows up they immediately move out of the way. Especially if it is a crow. I suspect the crows don't have much patience with the little birds.They don't seem to have any love to spare for the bigger birds either. Anytime that the Pariah Kite (Black Kite) turns up for a sip-and-dip, the crows at once gang up to chase the kite away!
The bulbuls on the other hand, are willing to share if the space is big enough.
But the sparrows and finches are happiest when the whole flock joins in. The flock that bathes together, stays together?



19 comments:

  1. Aw, I love these photos. I always enjoy watching birds take a bath whether in my bird bath or even in the little puddles along my journeys. Have a wonderful weekend. x

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  2. Water is such a wildlife magnet! You're fortunate to have something as lovely as those Bulbuls to enjoy. Thanks for sharing your little oasis in paradise.

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    1. Absolutely! It's just like a wildlife sanctuary on a micro-scale. All the wildlife hangs around the water source. And in a garden you can manipulate it in such a way that you can have a good view of them when they come visiting :)
      And yes, Shady C, I love those bulbuls too! :)

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  3. Love this post and the pics! To have these (most of these) around your own place is just awesome! I too attempted attracting birds with water, but where I live now, the only thing water would attract is pigeons :( I found a hamam like this in Sattal, will share pics.

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    1. Thank you, IHM! :)
      It's such a thrill to see them, especially the ones which are just visiting for a season. And when I spot a new bird - as I did recently. I think it was a Verditer Flycatcher - I'm almost giddy with the excitement of the moment!
      Dont give up on your birds. Once the pigeons have had their fill, the smaller ones and the shyer ones will show up too.
      And yes, please, please share your pics. I'd love to see them! (Thoroughly enjoyed the ones you shared earlier)

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  4. Really a great view. Every gardener's delight to see these beautiful feathered guests frequent their gardens, and feel like home. The shots too are really awesome, keeping in view that you shot birds, that are quite hard to capture in pictures. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Thank you, CyberKID :)
      For me part of the joy of gardening is the creatures that are a part of it. I love seeing the different birds that visit my garden.

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  5. Lovely photos, catching the birds perfectly ! I recognise the sparrows, which look just the same here in the UK, but all the others are new to me.

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    1. Thank you, Jane! I love watching the sparrows, they're such gregarious birds.

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  6. Wow ! Just gorgeous pictures ! I love watching the birds in the bath !
    Greetings

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    1. Hello, Ela! Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed these photos :)

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  7. What fantastic photos of your feathered visitors, it looks like they're having a great time!

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    1. Thank you, Paula! Yes, I guess they are, after all there's no one trying to drive them away (except, maybe, the crows!)

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  8. I really love your bird bath. So natural-looking and obviously appreciated by your garden birds.

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    1. Thank you, Nick. Yes, it attracts all the birds in the vicinity, including ones I had never seen before we started filling it up with water for them :)

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  9. If you hadn't said this was a bird bath, I'd have never known. It looks like a natural rock depression. The birds sure look happy. :o)

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    1. It IS a natural rock depression which we have put to use as a bird-bath! :D
      It definitely is very popular in summer.

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  10. it's sooooooooooooooooo... nice <3

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