Every time I decide to fix something myself instead of calling in someone that knows what he’s doing, I wind up with a surprise. For instance we need a simple ¾” pvc pipe to the rock garden. What’s a little glue cement and a pipe cutter that is so difficult?

So I get started with a small ditch drenched with sweat from the August delightful summer atmosphere. The pipe is laid and glued to the water source. Then I use an upright right angle fitting for the riser on which to place the faucet. That seems simple. Then another right hand angle fitting but this one must have threads in which you screw into it a plastic (cheap) faucet.

Now I’m ready for the faucet. However, every time I screw in the faucet it winds up pointing the wrong way when it is completely up tight. I back it off again, and again, and again.

Phooey, it’s hot out here. I’ll just leave it upside down; that is, with the spout pointing skyward instead of the usual way.

The water is now on and the plants love it. After a thorough drenching I turn the faucet off….but it won’t cut off. A drip remains….but what the heck….it’s only a drip. So I put a shallow clay bowl under the drip to catch the drip so it won’t make a mud puddle.

Evening time approaches when the temperature calms down a little, and what do you know? I see a bird show that would stop all bird shows. That hole in the spout accommodates only one bird at a time. But the bowl can handle three or more in the tub. They are all taking a bath and splashing water in each other’s faces.

First one to show is always the Titmouse. With the top knot on high to announce it is his (or her) turn at the faucet. He drinks by many dips of his beak in the faucet discharge opening. Then he’s dive bombed by the second Titmouse waiting his turn and the beat goes on.

Wow, where did this one come from? It’s a canary yellow warbler with light grey wings and piercing black eyes. I believe it is a Prothonotary Warbler. Then a hummingbird does a fly-by just to show the others he prefers nectar and doesn’t care for snorkeling.

Expecting a real fight with the Titmouse, here sails in a red bird. But he is calm and is slowly deliberate in having his drink in the leaky faucet. Strange because a red bird (Cardinal) is always the cock-of-the-walk and doesn’t put up with any foolishness! Then we took a second look. It isn’t a Cardinal, it is a Scarlet Tanager. It is rather rare to see this bird at the faucet and is spectacular in its entire splendor.

The feisty little Black Capped Chickadee makes a fast run at the faucet when the Titmouse isn’t looking. Tiny compared to the Titmouse, it quickly retreats to catch the departing flight of the Titmouse and takes his turn.

Probably the greatest beauty of them all is a flock of Eastern Blue Birds. They are a gregarious type and are somewhat suggestive when the boys and girls all bathe together. Oh well, it isn’t the season anyway. But they are not here according to the book. They are winter birds (November to April); but they are here and it is August! And there are over twenty five of them enjoying summer at the beach, so to speak.

Many other birds have now found this most ‘thoughtful’ gesture of making a leaky faucet just for them. Of course, I am acquainted with Blue Birds but since “they aren’t here, all I can say is they sure ain’t a titmouse.

It is really hard to beat your very own back yard show time with a bird bath. jbobalong@yahoo.com