Just recently I realized that I have something of a water fountain/birdbath collection. The funny part is that I didn’t set out to collect these items, because most of them were given to me as gifts. By providing sources of water I attract a variety of birds and insects to the garden. I enjoy watching the birds splash around on hot days. They are almost comical in their bathing rituals.
This birdbath was actually my first and I’ve had it for 8 or 9 years now. I acquired it while visiting my local Pottery factory . Our Pottery is fantastic for finding handmade pottery and annuals, perennials and tropical plants that are grown on site. I love the embossed birds and flowers that decorate the pedestal and the gray-blue color.
Can you believe my friend was going to put this on the curb? She told me I could have it I came and picked it up. It is made of concrete and very, very, very heavy. This is the one my cat likes to drink out of when the birds aren’t using it of course. 🙂
Everyone probably remembers this one from my Whimsical Garden Art post a few days ago. Here is a better picture of it. Don’t you just love the base of it? It is made of a cast metal. I think the little decorative bird drinking out of the flower-shaped dish is so cute.
My absolute favorite one at the moment is this bronze ceramic one my husband gave me for Mother’s Day this year. He picked this one out at our local Wild Wings Nature Store. This store has fantastic birding accessories. Their items range from contemporary to whimsical.
I purchased this fountain at our local home improvement center. It was a floor model and they gave me a huge discount which means I had to get it. This is located in the bed with the huge Hosta I posted yesterday and the burgundy Cannas. The dogs enjoy drinking out of the lower basin and I’ve seen birds splashing in the smaller top dish.
This fountain is located out front next to my front door. I love the splashing sound of the waterfall and my cat enjoys drinking out of this one too. There is a light that makes it really pretty at night. It is located in the same flowerbed with Mr. & Ms. Turtle.
I hope you enjoyed my collection of birdbaths and fountains. What do you collect?
Perennial Garden Lover 
Posted by Cindy on July 30, 2008 at 5:40 am
Ha, finally got to your blog before I was like the 14th person leaving a comment! 🙂
I love your birdbaths especially the second one. I like the shape of it. It seems almost timeless. I have one small birdbath in my garden that I purchased years ago and I love it. The only bad thing is that it is the perfect height for my daughter right now and she loves to splash in it as much as the birds do!
Posted by OhioMom on July 30, 2008 at 10:49 am
I love the birdbaths, so glad your provide a source of water for our feathered friends in the summer heat (and the cats too:)
If I had to pick a fav it would be the last one.
Posted by tina on July 30, 2008 at 11:40 am
Birdbaths are the greatest! I collect everything old or plant related, sigh.
Posted by Dee/reddirtramblings on July 30, 2008 at 11:54 am
I think your bird bath collection is splendid. I guess I collect roses and daylilies. They are my favorites, and I have a bunch of them.~~Dee
Posted by garden girl on July 30, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Beautiful bird baths! I love the waterfall fountain especially.
I collect plants, books, antiques, and memories.
Posted by Perennial Gardener on July 30, 2008 at 12:48 pm
You are so funny Cindy, lol. Thank you. The second one does have a nice classic shape. See I forgot to mention that birdbaths/fountains had a bonus purpose of entertaining small children! 😉
Thanks Mom. It is important to provide fresh water for our feathered friends. (and the cats) I’m glad you like the rock fountain, it is one of my faves too.
Posted by Perennial Gardener on July 30, 2008 at 12:52 pm
That's great Tina, collecting things that are old or garden related. I'm glad you like my birdbaths. 🙂
Thanks Dee! Roses & Daylillies are a fabulous collection. I like Hydrangeas & Clematis myself. 🙂
Thank you Gardengirl! I'm glad you enjoyed my little collection especially the rock fountain. Sounds like you collect some great stuff too! 🙂
Posted by Nancy J. Bond on July 30, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Your favorite bath is my favorite too, though they’re all lovely. And I like the water feature very much — that sound is so relaxing. 🙂
Posted by Meadowview Thymes on July 30, 2008 at 2:56 pm
It’s watering cans and birdhouses for me! I have a tough time passing up an old watering can when I see it. The more rust on it, the better! : )
Posted by Perennial Gardener on July 30, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Thanks Nancy. I love that beautiful bronze finish and that is why it is my favorite. The sound of water is wonderful in the garden.
Ooh, I love birdhouses too Linda and old watering cans are great! I don’t blame you, when something has patina it give it so much more character. Great collections!
Posted by MrBrownThumb on July 30, 2008 at 5:14 pm
You got a wonderful collection of birdbaths. My garden is too small for a real one.
Posted by Perennial Gardener on July 30, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Thank you for visiting MBT. I’m glad you enjoyed my birdbaths. Do you have room for a hanging one or a miniature one maybe?
Posted by gardenpath on July 30, 2008 at 7:52 pm
You do have a nice collection! I have two birdbaths, but quite often, see the birds splashing in a driveway puddle.
Posted by Perennial Gardener on July 30, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Isn’t that just how it is GP, those silly birds. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, I’m glad you liked my little collection.
Posted by Mother Nature on July 31, 2008 at 12:22 am
I thought I had too many bird baths. Now I know I have a collection. I like yours.
Posted by Susie on July 31, 2008 at 12:45 am
p.g. I love your bird bath collection. We only have the one bird bath but we get many hours of enjoyment from watching those winged wonders. I can just hear the trickling of water from your fountain. So relaxing.
It’s sad to say but I don’t really collect anything except mosquito bites. Actually I do have a couple of garden fairies. Maybe I need to do a post on them.
Your Bloomin Tuesday blooms look fantastic too!
Posted by Perennial Gardener on July 31, 2008 at 1:14 am
Thanks MN. I’m glad I made you see too many as a collection! 🙂 Maybe there is no such thing as too many birdbaths, I know the birds enjoy them.
Thank you Susie, I’m glad you loved my little collection. 🙂 LOL on the mosquito bites, I can relate. I’ve been putting those mosquito dunks in my birdbaths and waterbarrels to help. You should do a post on your garden fairies! I would love to see them. I’m glad you liked my Bloomin Tuesday blooms too. 🙂
Posted by Love My Cottage Garden on July 31, 2008 at 1:28 am
I love all your bird watering and I bet they appreciate you too. One question, how do you keep your fountain clear, I have trouble with ours turning green.
Posted by Jan on July 31, 2008 at 3:12 am
I love bird baths, too. I have gradually added them to the garden and now there are six of them. We the heat we have been having lately, they need to be filled daily and one twice a day.
Jan
Always Growing
Posted by Eve on July 31, 2008 at 3:20 am
We have a lot of birds, especially those we call “snow birds” , the birds that come here as an escape from the snow…so there is always a need for birdbaths. Most of them are homemade types, I put together myself.
I collect plant containers and things that will work as plant containers. I even have what my Mama called a slop jar. I love enamel things. I don’t plant directly in them though.
Posted by Perennial Gardener on July 31, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Thanks LMCG. I put 1/2 tsp of bleach in the fountain. It holds 2gals of water so that is pretty safe.
See you have a collection too Jan! I know I have to check mine daily and either add water or clean out gunk too. Thanks for visiting!
Eve-So that is where all my birdies go in the winter. 🙂 I used to have a homemade birdbath made out of 2 large terra-cotta pots and a saucer. Whatever will hold water works for the birds, they drink out of puddles. 🙂 Plant containers are a great collection too! I love anything garden related in someway even when it was repurposed from something else.
Posted by Brenda Kula on August 1, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I love that fountain that sits next to your front door. I’d love to have one out in my courtyard close to mine. Where did you find it? I SO love water features!
Brenda