How to beat the heat.....

We went to Wesselman Woods Nature Center yesterday to watch some birds from inside their lovely viewing area.  Too hot to tramp around outside looking for birds and butterflies!  It was around 100 degrees yesterday.

We weren't the only ones noticing the heat!  This little 3 level water feature was the popular spot of the morning as we watched the birds come to bathe and drink.

We arrived just in time for the Indigo Bunting to start his bath......

.......lots of fluttering.....

......and a big splash to finish off!

Mrs. Indigo Bunting decided if he was having that much fun, it must be a good idea.....

......flutter, flutter, flutter.....

......dunk.....

Ah......that felt good!

Next the Titmouse showed up but seemed hesitant to bathe until the Indigos went away and he could have the place to himself.

....but he made up for lost time.....

I like how his orange feathers float out to the sides on the water :-)

The Grackles were more interested in soaking the corn they were eating to soften it up.

Every bit of food they found, they brought to the water to soak it first.

.....but what the heck.....as long as I'm here, I might as well rinse off!

Mrs. Cardinal.....shy as always....decided to hide behind the upper level rocks.  She didn't realize that that nice red beak made her very visible in the water reflection!

I would say this is "flutter time" since the beak seems to have multiplied!

A young Cardinal came for a drink, but no bathing.

"Hmmmm....what's all the fuss about.  It's just water!"

"You are suppose to DRINK it not sit in it!"

"I wonder if I can get closer"

"Maybe just a little more"

I thought his beautiful tail was very expressive as he waded in to drink.

This is a wonderful place to watch birds while inside out of the heat, but the double glass with a large space in between and the dirt on it makes it hard to get good photos.  We saw a wonderful variety of birds while we were there, but some of the shots aren't clear.  I saw a couple of warblers including one I had never seen before.  I'll post a few more shots from here over the next few days.  The water feature was in the best light and position for taking photos.