Maybe I'm easy to please, but this Northern mockingbird's visit made my morning. 
He/she was the first bird to take a drink from my new bird bath, part of my solstice celebration. On its second morning, the water in the bath was soundly frozen. So I stepped outside early to change it. As I was closing the door after removing ice and adding water, this mockingbird landed and began to drink. 
Later in the afternoon, he paid another visit when I happened to have the camera in hand. (imagine that.)
Of course I can’t be sure it’s the same bird, but this is the species that gets the bow!
We don't have them up here but the ones I've watched in other parts of the country seem so smart.
ReplyDeleteOh.. so close and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have a beautiful garden like that.
How nice to have an unusual visitor! As a new birder I understand the thrill. Yesterday we had a visit from a pair of red-breasted sapsuckers (I love woodpeckers). About half an hour later one of them stunned itself against our large windows in the bright sun. We put it in a towel in a shoebox and closed the lid and let it recover in a warm, quiet spot for about 20 minutes. I was so relieved to see it fly away immediately after we put it outside again.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun to put something new for the birds and have them find it right away? Water is a great way to bring in new species!
ReplyDeleteI love watching birds drink. And they look like they are smiling when we take pictures of them in the process of drinking water too.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they appreciate the thawed water source during all this cold weather!
ReplyDeleteOh Vickie, what a symbolic messenger for you in celebration of the Winter Solstice! The view of the Garden is gorgeous as well. Such beauty you have to behold! We are fortunate too that you shared it with us. Thank you. May you continue to have such treasured visitors and beautiful scenes to warm your heart this Holiday Season.
ReplyDeleteHaving a mocker stop by for a drink would make my day, too! You inspire me to put that heated water dish out tomorrow, as a Christmas present for the birds. Right now they're drinking at the fish pond next to the heating element of the de-icer. Must give them their own little dish.
ReplyDeleteI love that you're taking step by step photos of your lovely watercolors! Isn't it fun to share the process?
What a lovely start to your morning - and great photos too.
ReplyDeletebeautiful shots of your feathered friend- I think he likes you!
ReplyDeleteI love mockingbirds, Vickie, and really enjoyed these shots. Congrats on having such a beautiful patron as your first customer on the new bird bath.
ReplyDeletehi vickie-
ReplyDeletethe mockingbirds at your house look as happy as the ones at mine. :-) watching birds splash around for a bath is one of my most favorite birdwatching activities. thanks for sharing!
Hi Vickie! Merry Christmas!! yes I'm still around. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the height of your bird bath. Wish I could still have a bird bath out but the water would freeze instantly here.
Oh I also don't get mockingbirds. We saw our first one when we visited my son in Delaware.
Awesome photos you took here.
What a beautiful garden you have. Hopefully this bird will come here often. The photos are great and the way the light hits its tummy feathers makes him/her seem all the more fluffy and soft.
ReplyDeleteI love Mockingbirds so this was a treat.