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December 15, 2012 / Leslie

Weekend Birding: A Different Birdbath

It’s important to have fresh water available for the birds year round. I have several birdbaths in my yard and as long as the temperatures remain above freezing I leave all of them out. For the coldest months I have a heated birdbath mounted to my deck railing.

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I moved one of the birdbaths under the apple tree where the finch feeders are located. Most birds are cautious and spend some time observing anything new before approaching it. This little goldfinch had to think about it for a while before taking a drink. I suppose it didn’t help that this birdbath has decorative birds perched on it.

Christmas Bird Count

Today I’m participating in the 113th Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a citizen science survey to collect data. We count the birds and the scientists analyze the data to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action.

 


Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.

© 2012 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.

19 Comments

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  1. Leeswammes / Dec 15 2012 6:12 am
    Judith's avatar

    I haven’t got a birdbath but I have some plant pots (w/o plants) that have filled with rainwater. I was surprised to see that blackbirds just happily drink from it. They must have an enormous resistance against bacteria’s that would make us jealous!

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  2. Mary / Dec 15 2012 6:26 am
    Mary's avatar

    We don’t have a birdbath but our neighbors do. I love yours!

    Like

  3. Diane@BibliophilebytheSea / Dec 15 2012 6:58 am
    Diane@BibliophilebytheSea's avatar

    Great capture. (I need to wash out the birdbath – so dirty I noticed:(

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  4. Paulita / Dec 15 2012 7:23 am
    Paulita's avatar

    I love your moving photos. I didn’t realize the other guys were fake, but the goldfinch was keeping an eye on you. Here’s Mine

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  5. laurelrainsnow / Dec 15 2012 8:04 am
    Laurel-Rain Snow's avatar

    My birdbath is a mess from fallen leaves, mixed with rain water. I need to move it under the eaves…I love the idea of a heated one.

    Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

    Like

  6. kaye / Dec 15 2012 9:34 am
    kaye's avatar

    Gorgeous bird! I like your video.

    Like

  7. Pat @ Post For Now / Dec 15 2012 11:09 am
    Pat @ Post For Now's avatar

    Great images! Hope your bird counting went well.

    Like

  8. joyweesemoll / Dec 15 2012 1:11 pm
    joyweesemoll's avatar

    Lovely images. It’s great that you provided a water source even when it’s freezing. And I love that you’re doing the Christmas Bird Count!

    Like

  9. Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count / Dec 15 2012 1:32 pm
    Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count's avatar

    I love watching the birds in my bird bath. Cool effects!

    Like

  10. Melwyk / Dec 15 2012 2:03 pm
    Melwyk's avatar

    What a great, clear shot of a such a lovely goldfinch. I like the way you’ve created the photo series as well. Really nice.

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  11. Louise / Dec 15 2012 3:17 pm
    Louise's avatar

    Lovely photos. I’ve never seen a heated birdbath, but of course we don’t need them here. I’ve got a bird bath, but there are lots of water sources nearby, so it’s not heavily used. How wonderful to do a bird count like that.

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  12. Vicki / Dec 15 2012 4:26 pm
    Vicki's avatar

    My mom had a few birdbaths in her yard. I loved seeing birds come and get some water and take baths. Don’t know why I never got one, Think I will though. I’ve never heard of a heated one.
    Here’s Mine

    Like

  13. Alyce (@AtHomeWithBooks) / Dec 15 2012 4:45 pm
    Alyce (@AtHomeWithBooks)'s avatar

    Such a pretty bird! It’s neat that you have a heated birdbath for them. I saw goldfinches in my backyard two days ago. I was so excited because I haven’t seen them here before in the nine years we’ve lived here (although admittedly I haven’t done much to attract them to the yard). By the time I’d run for my camera and made it back to the window they had flown away.

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  14. Staci@LifeintheThumb / Dec 15 2012 5:24 pm
    Staci@LifeintheThumb's avatar

    I love it!! Love the birds that come to drink and have a bit of a dip!!!

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  15. Sheila (Book Journey) / Dec 15 2012 5:27 pm
    Sheila (Book Journey)'s avatar

    Love the idea of a Christmas bird count!

    Like

  16. Arti / Dec 15 2012 5:55 pm
    Arti's avatar

    Bird baths def. won’t do in our backyard… at -C temp. But yours just attract beautiful birds and good for them too, clean water every day. What an important task. What kind of Finch is the one in your photo?

    Like

  17. Ginny / Dec 15 2012 6:14 pm
    Ginny's avatar

    I have no idea how you have done it, but I love the way the picture changes.

    Like

  18. edgarone2 / Dec 15 2012 8:30 pm
    edgarone2's avatar

    Birds with their songs and colors and dainty movements, sights of them, make a lovely day.
    Enjoy the bird count.
    Do you have time to take photos?

    Like

  19. Suko / Dec 16 2012 5:31 pm
    Suko's avatar

    Very lovely post and care for your birds–no wonder they love you!

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