It’s getting hot and dry in Texas and the local wildlife swimming pools and jacuzzis are filling up fast as the nearby creeks and ponds are drying out.

I apologize for the blurry photo, but it is the only one that really depicts the frenzy of activity that goes on in the evenings in my backyard. There is a hummingbird on the far left part of the photo, calmly sipping sugar from the feeder, a lesser goldfinch hanging out on a blooming thistle behind him and the Bluebirds causing a frenzy trying to squeeze in a late evening swim.

Earlier this year a resident pair of Eastern Bluebirds raised two broods of young and now I have 8 Eastern Bluebirds who visit the local swimming establishment every evening. In case you were wondering, yes juvenile (aka teenage) Eastern Bluebirds do bicker and fight just like human teenagers tend to do. But occasionally, on very rare days, everybody gets along for a couple of minutes. Long enough to get in a good soaking. Then it’s back to screeching and squabbling.

The picture above always makes me laugh. I am almost expecting to see the empty keg of beer floating around after they leave.