Backyard fountain ecology moves to new level

[dreamshark]

Richard's lovely fountain/birdbath has been attracting more and more birds, beyond the local population of sparrows and such. Pigeons and mourning doves that don't even live in the yard drop by at dusk to drink and play in the shallows. Last night I was relaxing in the chair swing when I noticed an unusual flurry and flouncing and flying upward among the visiting pigeons. I looked up from my newspaper in time to see the retreating backsides of several pigeons and a small hawk flying up and landing on the electrical wire that goes into our house. The hawk was actually smaller than the pigeons, and probably no threat to them, but they certainly didn't want anything to do with it. The hawk was very interested in the fountain. I'm not sure if it was waiting for more birds to show up, or if it just wanted a drink and was too shy to fly down there with me watching. It flew to several different perches around the fountain, peering down at it intently, and finally flew away when I stood up.

What's the next step? Zebras and wildebeest coming down at twilight to drink, with lions lying in wait under the hedge?

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Is he still collecting chunks of concrete as building materials, or is it largely done?

K.

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

If not zebras and wildebeest, then possibly raccoon & deer. (I've seen a deer in Powderhorn park!, and had raccoons visit the house on Cedar Ave.)

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Just don't let your kids talk you & Richard into going into the veldt. (There must be some way to avoid the second "into", but I just can't think of it...)

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

It's largely done. He actually BOUGHT pavers to use for the patio that will be next to the lower tier of the fountain-waterfall. The lower pool isn't built yet, but since we have all this beautifully repainted patio furniture, it seemed more important to have a place to put it.