Cedar Waxwings
We have a creek running through our yard, well it's really a seasonal irrigation ditch but it looks like a creek and is quite beautiful. In May, some cedar waxwings took up residence and had a bath party. Normally the water is too deep and fast moving for birds to take a bath, but I built up a little reservoir with rocks so there would be a shallow spot for birds. My work paid off, as this band of waxwings stayed and frolicked for about three weeks! I'm no bird expert but I've found that waxwings are more or less nomadic. They don't usually stay in one place very long, so I was thrilled when they loved this water so much and stayed so long. The bath party is over at this point but I still hear a few waxwings buzzing around (they make a funny, high pitched noise). The party action also attracted some western tanagers, which are beautiful birds with orange heads, yellow bodies, and black wings. I didn't get any photos of the tanagers because they are more shy than the waxwings and I didn't want to discourage them from using the birdbath. I was thrilled to host the party while it lasted, I hope they remember this little spot and come back again soon.
