A Hummingbird Bath

Hummingbird Bath

We returned late last night from our visit to “The Refuge”.  The California desert was beautiful.  We enjoyed warm weather and the wildflowers blooming in the desert.

We visited “The Living Desert”, which has collections of both plants and animals that thrive in dry climates all over the world.  I had a wonderful time and took over 500 photos.  But don’t worry, I won’t make you sit through all of them 😉

I do want to show you some of my favorite pictures of our trip…..we spotted a hummingbird taking a bath.  Now, I have seen countless hummingbirds and always pause to observe their beauty and antics.  

But I have never seen one taking a bath…

Hummingbird Bath

Hummingbird taking a bath.

Can you see her?

Hummingbird Bath

Hummingbird Bath

She was oblivious to the crowd who had gathered to watch her and I couldn’t believe how close we were able to get.

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do.

Now, I’m off to the kennel to pick up the dog, grocery shop and all the other normal things that make up my life.  But in my mind, I will still be walking among the beautiful gardens of “The Living Desert”.

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
33 replies
  1. Darla
    Darla says:

    Love the fountain bath. We have Hummers flitter in and through the sprinklers, never I have I seen this. It's adorable, what a photo for framing…go get your errands completed…Can't wait to see more photos from your vist..

  2. Kyna
    Kyna says:

    Wow, what a great shot! I've never seen a hummingbird take a bath either 😀 I love those guys…I can't wait until it's a little warmer, and mine come back…:D

  3. Stan
    Stan says:

    What an amazing picture. I love hummingbirds, and anxiously await their arrival every spring. I must say that I've never seen one taking a bath. You are very privileged to have had that opportunity.

    Stan Horst
    Publisher: BetterBenches.com

  4. Kimberly
    Kimberly says:

    Noelle, agreed…I've never seen a hummingbird taking a bath. What a blessing for you…and to get photos is an added bonus! Thanks so much for sharing! Absolutely precious.

  5. debsgarden
    debsgarden says:

    What joy to watch a hummingbird! I once was watering my garden with the hose when a hummer flew into the spray in front of me. I watched, amazed, as the little bird danced in the shower. One of my favorite garden memories!

  6. azplantlady
    azplantlady says:

    Thank you for your kind comments!

    Kathleen, I don't believe she was a Rufous….I think she was a Costa's. I love the pictures of your bathing hummingbirds. Thank you for sharing the link.

  7. Zach
    Zach says:

    Those are some amazing close shots! Maybe I should get a hummingbird bath instead of a feeder. Since you seem experienced in attracting hummingbirds to your property, are there any feeders you recommend? I came across one of Perky Pet’s new feeders, the Top Fill Primrose hummingbird feeder. They actually fill from the top! Have you used any of their feeders?

  8. arizonaplantlady@gmail.com
    arizonaplantlady@gmail.com says:

    Hello Zach,

    To be honest, I do not have a hummingbird feeder at my home. I do have hummingbirds, but they usually are attracted to my flowers. I don't know which brand of hummingbird feeder is the best. You can probably look at some hummingbird societies online and see what they use. Thank you for your question 🙂

  9. Sage
    Sage says:

    have seen hummers bathing but never got photos as great as these. Great blog. Sage from tumbleweedcrossing.blogspot.com

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