It's a shallow dip yet broad, across many style lines!
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I want to get a nicely decorated bird bath for the
yard and have been looking…a friend told me that the nicest ones
are up in northern Michigan. He recommended a place near Glen
Arbor, which seems like a long ride to take for a bird
bath.
Can you recommend anyplace in southeastern Michigan? I
have looked at on-line stores but would like to see, if possible,
what it really looks like. I've seen nice small solar heated ones
for winter. Any ideas? - D.B. -
They're "out there" in many places -- garden centers, gift
shops, bird food sellers, home stores, art fairs, concrete statuary
makers... We've listed "bird bath" following many business names on
our Recommended Sources page. (Jump to
those websites from our Recommended Sources page.)
We know our back yard birds appreciate the water we offer all
year so we do notice bird baths in others' gardens. We don't often
ask "where did you buy that?" but when we do we often hear an
answer like this one regarding Bath B (below), "Hmmm. I
can't remember for sure where I got that one. I kind of looked all
over and found it someplace along the way."
We've
posted on the Forum to ask where others have seen memorable
bird baths. In addition, we asked for sources and stories about
those shown here.
Below: Bath B
Above: Bath C
We choose for the birds, certainly. LuAnn Linker, owner of our
local Wild Birds Unlimited says, "It
should be shallow, and easily cleaned with just a soft brush so you
will put fresh water in it at least every few days, and not use any
chemicals... A heater for winter is nice and those often go on sale
at the end of summer."
Sturdy is good, too, so the bowl won't tip easily. Forum Moderator Celia
Ryker is a lifelong wildlife watcher, and reports seeing, "Two
thirsty rabbits cooperated to tip over the bird bath. I kid you
not!"
Metal and concrete are sturdy if they're set on a level
surface.
Below: Baths D (left) and E (right)
Below: Baths F ( left) and G (right). We love garden art
that has multiple functions, such as F that is also a sundial. Art
fairs often offer unique baths.
Below: Baths H (left), I and J (right)
We kid about this fountain (H) with water gently burbling up
through the center. Birds love to sit on that top spot so water
garden specialist and Forum Moderator Scott Bates dubbed it the
"birdy bidet."
"That's a nice one" is different for each person. Who can
tell until they see it whether a whimsical fairy or classic clean
lines (Fleur Detroit) have the greater
appeal?
Below: Baths K, L and M.
Check local farm markets for rustic bird baths.
Reader J.R. bought a plain bird bath and made it a project with
her grandkids to apply tile, stones and more to the
surface.
Below: Baths N, O, P
N: Fleur Detroit has some unique
offerings.
O: No matter how many times we see the magic watering can, we
smile. This one is in the Lapeer County, Michigan Master Gardener
Display Garden.
Below: Baths Q, R
Below: Baths S, T
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