Double the Fun

In light of the continued excessive heat (peaked at 106F today) I dragged out my second ground level bird bath, normally used in winter, and filled it, and cleaned and filled the rest.  The extra water was a huge hit today, as species after species stopped by for drinks and baths.  Here, a Brown Thrasher and Eastern Towhee enjoyed the water stations late in the afternoon.  So it was double the fun! (for me, the observer. Not so much for the birds...)  The heat wave lessens only slightly tomorrow and Monday, so the extra stations will be maintained.  I'm expecting another wave of birds!

Beating the Heat

On a day like we and many in the eastern USA experienced today, birds take advantage of water sources, and my two bird baths were certainly busy places.  Just before I posted this I observed and tried photographing this juvenile Northern Cardinal splashing about.  Even in the shade the early evening temperature is still in the triple digits!  I'll be sure to keep those baths full all weekend and give at least a few birds a great opportunity to beat the heat.