We love our birds and one of our favorites is the tufted titmouse or as we like to say "Tufty". Richard has taken some nice close up shots of this bird in our very expensive birdbath on our tiny patio. (Our birdbath is a plastic bottom to a flowerpot.) Here is our bathing beauty! Well, two bathing beauties actually, a female Cardinal decided to have a bath too. (We call her Mrs. C.) Do you notice that these birds keep a very close eye on Richard as he is taking these photos. You don't have to worry about us, little guys, we are the ones putting this fresh water out for you everyday! The most wonderful thing that I just discovered about the tufted titmouse, he will stay with the parents and help to raise the next brood! In other words, a responsible teenager! YAY! Recently, one of my blogging friends, Martha (
www.plowingthroughlife.blogspot.com) said that this bird was so sweet and so dear that she wanted to kiss the top of its little head! And I so agree, just look at it!
Oh my, oh my, oh my....I LOVE these photos. Could they be any more adorable? I don't think our birds will ever discover my "expensive birdbath". Hubbell sometimes drinks the water, Clara crawls over and spills it everywhere or Sophie "accidentally" drives her bike over it. It's like a madhouse over here. The birds might actually be smart to stay away from our patio!
ReplyDeleteDear Audrey,
DeleteI love the way you describe this, I can just see it!
Never mind, you could put some sugar water in a hummingbird feeder and watch the hummingbirds!
Kay, these really are delightful. Well done Richard. Our birds use the little ponds we have and like Audrey our 'expensive birdbath' has yet to ever be discovered. (And ours was expensive - one of those on a plaster statue - we bought it when in a rented house with no water outside. Even there they ignored it. They obviously are making fun of us having wasted our money on it even though it does look quite nice.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, John! I will let Richard know you like his photos, I thought they were really good too! It makes me laugh to think of the birds going "Oh look, another expensive garden object, let's ignore it, just to see what they will do!"
DeleteLast summer I can tell you that our little patio was visited by so many birds we just couldn't believe it,
we think because of the drought, our place was tweeted through the bird world as THE place to visit!
Your birds have all the luxury - a freshly filled pool every day! Never mind it is "only" the plastic bottom of a plant pot :-) The most expensive marble bird bath would be of no use without fresh water and people like you who take such good care of it.
ReplyDeleteTufty is so sweet! And I have learnt something new now from your post, I didn't know this type of bird stays with their parents to help raise their younger siblings. What happens when they have more than one, though? Will all of them stay and help? Sounds like a busy houshold bustling with anything from toddlers to teens!
Dear Meike,
Delete"Luxurious swimming pool. Please tell your friends".
That is the sign we need to put out for our birds!
They do that anyway, we had LOTS of visitors this past summer! That knowledge of the birds sticking around to help was only something I just recently learned, and you know they are probably like any family, you know a boy-crazy girl bird will be the first to leave the nest!
I bet if you had bought an expensive birdbath they wouldn't have used it. It must be fun to watch them. I can't encourage birds because we have a cat, but the blackbirds don't seem to mind her watching them. I think she is at the age where she can't be bothered chasing them any more!
ReplyDeleteDear Tracey,
DeleteI know in England sometimes people put bells on their cat's necks, in order to warn the birds! I really first got interested in birds when I lived in England and was struck not by the differences between American and British birds, but the similarities.
Ha ha...so cute, Kay! I love these photos; they make me laugh. Whenever I see birds bathing outside, I enjoy watching how enthusiastic they are about it. They really enjoy their baths. I keep the water fresh to encourage them to stop in. It's fun having these little critters visiting, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteDear Martha,
DeleteOh yes, we love to watch them! They can get soaking wet! And it is surprising how much water gets splashed out the side...during the Georgia heat, we have to work hard to keep it full and clean. And oh yes, it is great fun, we love them. They are free and wild and yet, we have the great HONOR of having them visit.
Oh, what wonderful pictures, Kay! I agree that the tufted titmice are adorable. I've always thought their eyes look like little buttons. I do love watching the birds in our birdbath, especially our bluebirds----they splash with such abandon. I have a post on my blog somewhere of that. By the way, teenage bluebirds also stay around long enough to help with their younger brothers and sisters. I love it when the whole family visits our birdbath.
ReplyDeleteDear Beth,
DeleteDark little button eyes, yes that is it exactly!
And I am grateful to know that bluebirds will stay to help the parents also. Thank you so much for telling me that!! I love bluebirds too!!!
Birds bathing always make me smile. Thank you for being so nice to your bird neighbors.
ReplyDeleteDear Mimi,
DeleteWe love our birds. And just a little while ago, I noticed that the hummingbird was back...time to make my sugarwater and put out my hummingbird feeder again!
Oh, I love the cardinal taking a bath! Pretty pictures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dorothy! We love our birds so very, very much!
DeleteJust loved those pictures. I feed the birds here too but I also have a cat so have to be careful where I place the bird bath. Our cat is now too lazy and too well fed to be interested in catching the birds - she just sits on the patio steps, in the sun, and watches them. Briagha (pronounced Breeeya - Gaelic for beauty or pretty one) our retriever does however, work up enough energy to chase the seagulls away from the front garden. As you have probably guessed, we have two very lazy and spoiled animals.
ReplyDeleteHey Pat!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Love your cat's name! And I know how aggressive the seagulls can be from Eastbourne! Did you see my recent post on England? The eclair is from the Hydro Hotel and I plan to do a post just about the Hydro soon!
Thank you so much for your comment. Hope you are keeping well in your part of the world.
Hi Kay,
ReplyDeleteYes, I saw your post on England. Even though I live in Scotland and love it here, there will always be a little bit of me that stays English. Briagha, is the name of my retriever. The cat's name is Misha. She is part oriental and "talks" to you all the time. Mostly I love the interaction but sometimes I just wish she would shut up!! I look forward to your post on the Hydro. The next time we go to Eastbourne, I have promised David the biggest eclair!
It is so weird. I really dont know you at all, yet I feel that I know you well. Perhaps it is because we have been to so many of the same places - possibly even passed on some Sussex Footpath - who knows. Spooky!
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteIf you are walking along in Eastbourne and see a goofy looking American grinning from ear to ear absolutely thrilled with everything she sees, that will be me! :-)
Keep an eye out for the Hydro post!
And I would LOVE to see Scotland. Never been further North than London.
Cheers!
Kay