Summer Friends

by Donna Lewis

Today I went out to my garden to fill all the bird baths and containers I have with fresh water for all the birds, bunnies, and assorted little creatures that call our place their home.  After all, we are in their hood.  I have to fill everything twice a day.

I have tried to get a photo of all the Cardinals. I must have 80 to 100 of them, by far more than I have ever had at one time. We have feeders out for them, so I am thinking that the weather was not kind to insects this year (or anyone else) and that the birds are hungry and thirsty.  I can understand that.  They cannot run over to the store and pick something up like we do. Asking them to sit still while I take a picture of them has not been easy. They fly up as soon as I approach them.

They are at Mother Natures and humans’ whim.

There are lots of first years in the garden. You can always tell the new babies because their feathers are not as beautiful, not as colorful, and pretty ruffled up. They look like they are having a bad hair day!

I was able to get one photo with several first-year Cardinals and two first-year Blue Birds. I bet they will remember sitting next to their bird pals during a drought year and sharing a cool drink. There are always good times if you look for them.

Remember who we garden for.