squirrels – Nature Along the El Camino Real

by Lisa Milewski

During this heat, I have been filling the bird baths once or twice a day while enjoying watching the birds drink, splash, and bathe. So far, the birds I mostly see are cardinals, blue jays, northern mockingbirds, finches, house sparrows, mourning doves, white-wing doves, European Starlings, ruby throated hummingbird. Even the fox squirrel, cottontail rabbit, and bees seem to appreciate the water left out for them. Here are just a few that I have been able to get pictures of so far.

*White wing doves wait in line to get a drink and enjoy water.*

You don’t want to know my nickname for the doves. Let’s just say that I have to wash my driveway and car often.

*“Peter” the cottontail rabbit in his favorite spot sharing his water with “Jay” the blue jay*

Here’s “Rocky” the fox squirrel getting a good drink

I found that with these larger bird baths, it’s easier to fill them with rocks and top with soil and then place smaller bowls in them. This makes it a lot easier to clean them out daily and refill.

And here’s my favorite, “Ruby” the ruby throated hummingbird drinking from the hummingbird feeder.

Remember to wash out the bird baths and change hummingbird feeders daily or every other day in this heat. We want to help our friends, not make them sick.