Bath time...

I find it remarkable how many species use the small water hole as a bath tub.  You'd think that it would get a little ripe in there, but the natural spring under ground provides a constant supply of fresh water.  One of the big beasts will soak and splash enough to turn it into nothing but a muddy puddle. If you wait a couple of hours, it's full of clear, clean water once more...

This first video shows a red-tailed hawk using the water hole as a bird bath.  It's the first time I've seen one of these larger birds dip its feathers into the local spa, but the hawk sure seems like it's done it before...

This next video shows Oliver, one of our young orphan bears, taking his weekly bath.  He's really a pretty little thing and I hope he survives to adulthood.  He's gotten himself into a little trouble - he actually climbed the post of a neighbor's deck to explore their second floor outdoor living space - and that does not bode well for his future.  He seems otherwise healthy, so maybe he'll grow out of this adolescent mischief phase and become a bear we all can live with...

The last video for the week is a long one.  It's four minutes from start to finish, but I find it fascinating.  A large elk bull decides to wallow for a while.  He's an impressive boy and I love watching him splash and scrape as he fits himself into the small pool.  It's nice that he's getting a little time to relax before the rut begins in earnest.  Keeping the females in line and fighting off the challenges of other males is seriously hard work.  They don't get a lot of rest.  I've seen big guys like him collapse from exhaustion at this time of year, so he'd better conserve his energy while he can...