Chickadees in the Birdbath

In New Hampshire (USA), it’s been really hot.

Really hot.

We’ve been trying to keep the birdbath wet for the birds, and today, I flushed it out with the hose and filled it with fresh water.

Since it was a bit skunky.

The chickadees were waiting for me. There must have been about ten chickadees and they all wanted a bath. At first, they didn’t share - they’d chase each other away and squeak. But then, they all seemed to decide that sharing the gift of fresh water was a better idea than fighting over it, and they did. Two or three would get into the water at a time, they splashed and fluffed their feathers, they drank some water, and then they hopped out and let another bird enjoy.

I sat about 40 feet away, with binoculars and watched.

Soon, Hanna (cat) and Hobo (cat) and Oska (dog) showed up and the birds left.

The birds will be back.

… and as I watched them, I thought about people. What if we shared instead of fought …