A redbird lit on the edge of a concrete birdbath. For the longest time, he Just sat there looking at the water in this communal pool for feathered creatures. He could not make himself plunge in. Then, he felt it.
The sprinkler system was at work. So intent on the water in front of him, he had been oblivious to the few drops falling on him. Suddenly, he flew down to the concrete pad on which the birdbath sat. From this vantage point, he let the gentle spray of water fall on him.
While the water rained down, he sat still. As the sprinkler oscillated away, he shook his body and preened his feathers. Each time the sprinkler completed its circuit, the bird showered and shook. He sat there for at least ten minutes as he continued his ritual. Finally, he flew away.
The next morning about the same time, he was back. However, he did not light on the birdbath. Instead, he took his place on the pad. He sat there. Eventually, when the shower of water never came, he flew away.
The next morning, same time, same place, he found the huge puddles of rain water a summer storm had left on the nearby patio slab. The redbird could not believe his good fortune. Again and again, he dipped into a puddle, then shook his body and preened his feathers. On a hot summer day, children do not enjoy rain puddles nor sprinkler systems as much as he.
So many birds, especially grackles and red winged blackbirds, take advantage of our birdbath daily so we have not turned it over as mosquito control has advised. Instead, we clean and refill it on a regular basis. Hopefully, the process eliminates it as a breeding ground for those dreadful disease carriers.
Ever since we acquired the bird bath, we’ve been surprised not by its popularity with the feathered creatures; that’s why we bought it. However, we did not expect it to become as dirty it does. Although we suspect that furry creatures might climb in it at night, it still doesn’t take many large birds splashing to turn the water dirty. I certainly understand the red bird’s hesitation that first day.
I also understand the bird’s pleasure with a refreshing bath. Nothing relaxes me any more than a warm shower after a long day. Not only do I feel cleaner, I also sense the washing away of daily cares. I recently heard that a daily shower also cleanses the body of many of those pesky allegens which can plague us here in the south.
Likewise, nothing tastes as refreshing as a glass of cool water on a hot summer day. Although we may prefer the taste of iced tea or soda, water quenches thirst like nothing else.
Also, I’ve discovered that the opportunity to watch the ebb and flood of the tide daily to be one of the most soothing acts ever. In the presence of ever moving water, irritants which once could mar any day become totally insignificant.
We all know the value of water. Or do we? Here in the United States, we often act as if there is an unlimited supply. The televised images in war torn countries once again remind us that clean water is a precious commodity necessary to sustain life. So many people in this world do not have access to this luxury we take for granted. Yet, even in this country, we witness the horrors wrecked by too much water from hurricanes and floods or the devastation brought on by lack of water in drought stricken areas and wildfires.
Like the redbird, let us appreciate this bounty.
2003
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