Yesterday in the lovely sunshine I spotted this ball of downy feathers sitting on the edge of the water bowl we leave outside for Jazz to drink from.
Jazz often prefers much cloudier water he finds in empty flower pots and the birds often drink from the orange bowl.
Blackbirds enjoy a bath in the orange bowl too.
I did not manage to get a photo of this blackbird fledgling’s first splash but I am sure I saw surprise register on his/her face and she/ he very promptly hopped out. However instinct took over and back in it went with water flying everywhere and a great deal of preening and awkward, uncoordinated fluttering.
It really reminded me of a small child attempting and then managing a new skill.
Today I can hear younger blackbird fledglings urging their tireless parents on to bring them more food. The torrential rain we had on Thursday has ensured an excellent supply of worms and tasty treats thank goodness. There may be more bird bath antics to come!
ordinarygoodness 
Wonderful that you managed to catch this fledgling’s splashing on your camera.
I was very surprised that it did not scarper (?sp) as I edged nearer to the glass sliding door. Blackbird fledglings can be too trusting for their own good at times! No problems this time though as Jazz was sound asleep in the house and I was no threat to it. It did have a lovely time with lots of splashing!
How delightful that you caught this on camera Lynley. You are getting very good at snapping the birds. They are so fascinating to watch.
Thanks Juliet. The garden is alive with birds at the moment and they bring me a lot of pleasure….and fun with the camera.
These photos are fabulous/delightful. Your patient bird watching is reaping rewards for all of us. Is your camera on sport mode for these photos? Our little cat loves pure clean water. Jack, on the other hand, always rejects his clean bowl of water for whatever dirty drops he can find in the garden!
Thank you. I am so pleased you get enjoyment from them too. I need to check the mode of the camera. I had to move with some speed to gain these photos and did not think to check whether it was on sport or auto….d’uh!
Jazz adores shower water off the floor of the shower too….at least your cat has “taste”!!!
Yes, our cat has very particular tastes. She likes the neighbour to feed her tin salmon (not cat food salmon)!
Also love the new header photo with the Tui. The ruffled feathers are so lovely.
Lovely pics, Lyn, well captured! Purdey also prefers to drink rainwater that she finds lying around, by the way!
Thanks Jo. It was a wee cutie to watch as it splashed about. Extra flavours in the water must appeal to Jazz and Purdey:-)