More praise of water features from just north of Fridley America. In one - one stationary view of my water feature today I had 5 different species all vying for the coveted low multiple bathing spot at the top of my upper pond - two first of yard this year and they were all interacting and chasing and pecking and going on and on about who gets in next. The 5 beasties were my FOY (First of Yard) NASHVILLE WARBLERs (yes more than one) and the LINCOLN'S SPARROWs (Yes, now more than one) all interacting with several TENNESSEE WARBLERs, and surprisingly passive House Sparrow and a well behaved GRAY CATBIRD. Intermingled around this foray of brazen bathing urgency were WHITE- THROATED SPARROWs, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs, a remnant RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, a few Robins who have learned to stay clear of the brawling caffeinated birds, numerous blazing goldfinches, a nesting pair of cardinals, the foraging Brown Thrasher that annually mates (the other must be on the nest based on behavior and the lack of seeing the two together anymore), and the now every present and also FOY for my yard, the SWAINSON's THRUSH.
The center of all of there attentions is the water feature. I put out a lot of seed in the open, scarred area around the newly installed ponds and that has drawn in the various sparrows. Then overflying them in the trees and shrubs are the others, all focusing on when they get their chance at the various areas of the ponds and falls. Many are still trying to figure out the various accesses and bathing spots and argue when they think they have found one. Last year I had only single Tennessee Warbler and no other warblers at all, no thrushes other than too many robins, no Lincoln's Sparrow and lesser numbers of the regular cast of usual suspects. Me being a happy camper these days! - opps, a Nashville just checked out my historic bird bath right outside my window - gotta go bird my yard again. I am covered with goose-bumps and giddy as a school boy falling in love for the first time. I find it hard to stop giggling. And I am 54 years old. Chuckle, chuckle - I wouldn't trade my life for a younger one for nothing. See Thomas smile. Smile. Smile. Smile. See Thomas Bird. Bird. Bird. Bird. Thomas Maiello Spring Lake Park
