Little Baths For Little Birds On Cape Cod

We bought a small birdbath that sits on the ground for those birds (or chipmunks!) that would like a drink of water or a little bath without having to go to the big birdbath that is 3 feet off the ground. We can’t believe how popular it is!

The little birds love it… as do the Mourning Doves and Flickers! It seems like everyone stops by at some point for a drink or a dunk.

I saw these little Finches all splashing away. So cute, don’t you think?

Gorgeous Sunrise Over Boat Meadow Salt Marsh On Cape Cod

The days are getting a little shorter, so it is a little darker when I go on my morning bike ride. I have to leave at 6:15, instead of 6:00. As I rode over the salt marsh, the sunrise to the east was just gorgeous!

It’s been so hot, it even looks a bit hazy.

What do you think?

Pretty Pink Water-Willow Wildflowers On Cape Cod

If you go hiking near a fresh water spring or marsh such as The Spring Trail at the  Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary or the marshes on Red Maple Swamp Trail at Fort Hill, the chances of seeing a Water-Willow are very good. They like to grow in shallow water in July and August.

Water-Willow wildflowers are an  aquatic shrub with magenta flowers whose 5 petals grow in whorls where the leaves join the stem. They are native to this area. The flowers are small, only 1/2″ to 1″ while the plant grows from 3-9 feet. You can see in the 2nd photograph how the flowers grow almost where the leaves join the stems.

This is such a delicate little flower…so pretty. Have you ever seen a Water-Willow?

Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.