We finally upgraded our $19.95 tacky bird bath (14 years old!) with this pretty green choice. Even after 2-3 weeks, the birds are highly suspicious, and have not used it heavily. I am disappointed!
On our beautiful Mother's Day, I had just finished basting a quilt in the garage. 
DH was still putting the tables away. As I walked into the house, I looked back at the birdbath, hoping some birds had finally lost fear of the bigger and better birdbath. Uhhh, what is that in the bath??? That ... thing ... a small branch? a gopher? a small cat? It took me a minute to realize -- my gosh -- it's a little screech owl, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the bird bath, just having a good ole splashing time, while all the robins, sparrows, finches and blackbirds, were having a chirping conniption. (Naturally this event happened while the camera needed recharging!!!)
DH was still putting the tables away. As I walked into the house, I looked back at the birdbath, hoping some birds had finally lost fear of the bigger and better birdbath. Uhhh, what is that in the bath??? That ... thing ... a small branch? a gopher? a small cat? It took me a minute to realize -- my gosh -- it's a little screech owl, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the bird bath, just having a good ole splashing time, while all the robins, sparrows, finches and blackbirds, were having a chirping conniption. (Naturally this event happened while the camera needed recharging!!!) 
This must be one of the same pair we saw earlier this spring, (same photo)-- perhaps he likes my little back yard. DH walked closer to him, and even with less than 20 ft of space between them, his presence didn't concern the owl in the least. Finally, after his 10 minute bath, he flew into the spruce tree for another half hour of preening, and occasional snapping, all the while, the other birds were definitely voicing their objections! Finally, he flew off to wherever little screech owls go in the middle of the day.
This owl is so small, so dainty, and just plain stunning in his coloration - I can't help think of him as a natural jewel on this beautiful Mother's Day. What an unexpected blessing!
I Googled and was surprised that our "special event" is not at all unusual! Who knew?
Oh how exciting! An owl in your new birdbath! I've never seen an owl that close...
ReplyDeleteWe get barn owls around the farm--but never that open in the daytime. How fascinating!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! He must have really wanted a bath to do it in the middle of the day! Yes, it sure takes the birds a long time to get over the fear of something new, doesn't it? I wonder if the owl's bath will help or hurt that??
ReplyDeleteHaving the owl near may have kept the other birds away too. Love to see the different wildlife that shows up occasionally here too.
ReplyDeleteNow that would be just fun to watch! An owl, of all things!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow cool to have seen that!
ReplyDeleteMust be why the little birds are staying away. They fear the owl?
ReplyDeleteThe owl family can't make the other birds feel welcome, but a owl in the birdbath is quite a sight! They are very cute little fellows, too.
ReplyDeleteI have a small cat camping my bird bath. We have to raise it up even higher, I say "we" but really mean "me". DH is far too busy to care that much.
That is certainly something! I've never had the opportunity to see one so close.
ReplyDeletehow much fun to watch the owl's bath. We've been sleeping with out windows open at night and I'm always amazed at how many birds are chirping and carrying on at 2 am. Even now, 8:15 pm I can hear several different birds.
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