The Holler Spa~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life


I love The Holler Spa! First of all, they have an all you can eat buffet which I take full advantage of!

You get to swim in the spa pools, for as long as you want!

Few things feel better than being well fed and well bathed.

I especially like soaking my tail, it needs the extra moisture.

I could also use a manicure, but they don’t offer that here, which is a significant demerit.

But, there is nothing quite like a sunny day at The Holler Spa!

Unfortunately, they let the riff-raff in, like this very pushy thrasher.

The even more really-rude-roadrunner, thinks he belongs on the owner’s table!

The snobby goldfinch is so annoying. She is over prized by the owners, only because she scarcely ever bothers to show up here!
It’s a good spa, but the management could use some improvement.
Cheers to you from The Holler spa~

305 thoughts on “The Holler Spa~”

  9. Happy, clean birds! And full. I can see that they consider the Holler a real find. They probably aren’t telling any other birds about it. Our birds have to compete with the deer who consider the bird bath their watering dish. A couple of thirsty deer can come close to emptying it. 🙂 –Curt

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      1. Is that what it takes? Laughing. We have an occasional coyote that gets the wildlife excited around here for a day or two. Bears drop by on occasion as well. In fact the way the local dogs were going on last night I wouldn’t be surprised if we had one in the neighborhood. –Curt

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  15. I really like pictures of birds looking wet and dishevelled. They remind me of my Nana’s canary, Dickie. He’d never EVER bathe if he knew he had an audience. But he looked so cute. so vulnerable I suppose, when he was wet and disgruntled.

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    1. It is comical to watch the different species bathe. The towhees just plow in and splash the bejeezus out of the place. The bluejays are like giraffes in Africa, they spend so much time scouting for danger, they barely have time to drink! I love your Nana’s shy canary and I can imagine you being mesmerized as a child by him.

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        1. Did you know they actually sell privacy screens for caged shy birdie bathers. I had to buy one for my parakeet Petie when I was a kid. He would only bathe in the screened bath!

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  20. They are all so cute – our thrashers are shy? Love the roadrunner – we had some in south east Texas but they all mysteriously disappeared. I wonder if it was the change from drought to flood conditions. Wonderful shots as always, Cindy.

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    1. I would be so bummed out if our roadrunners disappeared. One stares in the French doors every morning when I awake. He is my personal alarm clock. I can imagine him thinking, “How long is that lazy sod gonna sleep in today!”

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      1. I love it! My husband followed one down the walking path last year and it was very friendly, even offering him a stick. Two nights ago, our great horned owl discovered our garden full of skunks (one of it’s favorite snacks because it has no sense of smell). All night you could hear this booming ‘Hoo Hoo’ and the chatter of the skunks hiding under the deck.

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  27. Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    I hope I don’t jinx.. but after a week of broadband disruptions we seem to be stable for the time being and I can go foraging… always share the good stuff with you and it does not get much better than these images from Cindy Knoke. I love my sparrows, blue tits and robins but how I would love to look out of the kitchen window and see these beauties at the feeder. As always a reminder that nature outdoes any fashion designer ever… in colour and design. thanks Cindy.

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  30. What a wonderfully fun post of your feathered friends enjoying their spa-like environment that you’ve kindly created. Must be heavenly to see them daily. <3

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  32. Precious! Our community birdbath is as popular. We keep it clean and filled with fresh water. Regular customers are the ubiquitous house sparrows, starlings, doves, steller’s jays, scrub jays, and crows. Squabbles are common, and there is a clear pecking order. Our observations have discovered some unexpected interactions too. Doves, who have a reputation for timidity, are not so timid after all. They surprisingly seem to be the top-dog here, pushing around the jays and acting very aggressively towards the crows. It’s odd, doves seem to really dislike crows. Maybe it’s because crows will prey on their eggs and babies, we’re not sure. But, the doves and house sparrows get along nicely. We’ve seen them together in the birdbath on many occasions.

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    1. I wonder if they may be ring necked doves. They look just like the resident mourning doves but have rings on their necks. They come from Africa and Asia. We have them at The Holler too. They may be a bit more aggressive.It is interesting how we become amateur biologists on our own turf. I have learned a lot about bird behavior from living at The Holler and I love every minute of it! I would love to watch your doves top dog it!

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  43. Cindy, this is a totally adorable post! Of course, as management, you’ll have to pick up your feet somewhat….. apparently! LOL! Fabulous shots.

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  60. This spa looks like it has top of the line clients!!! I love it! Thank you for bringing a big ol’ smile to my face today Cindy! You are such an awesome photographer!

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  74. Oh dear, I am worried that your little reviewer has only given you a 3.5 star rating. Does the management have a right of reply? Or perhaps the road runner would contribute a higher rating. After all, being allowed on the table, is quite a privilege.

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    1. You are generous with the 3.5. It was really a 3.0 which I was too embarrassed to admit. The roadrunner won’t write a review, which frankly is a bit relieving. I have no idea what he’s say!

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  80. This pudgy little bird has left you a good review, all things considered. He could have been more charitable to his fellow guests, but he rather looks like he’d like to be the pampered solo guest!!

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  82. Beautiful set of birds and beautifully photographed, they really do seem to enjoy themselves at the birdbath don’t they? I love to see them fluff up after the bath 🙂

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  83. Amazing photos Cindy!! My favorite is the puffy little brown bird. Do you know what type of bird he is?? Glad your “spa” gets so much good use! Happy weekend– hope you’re finding some fun things to do! xox

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  84. Wonderful bird images. I love the captions even more.

    I’ve never seen a Roadrunner before, only the cartoon character from my childhood. It really does look like the cartoon character and I was kind of surprised at that.

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    1. Roadrunners are in the cuckoo family and are intensely curious and highly entertaining birds to have around. Snakes, even really big ones, are completely terrified of them for very good reason!

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  87. Ahhh nice to see you taking care of all the birdies as usual! They all look like such happy customers! Love how fluffy the bird in the top photo looks. 🙂

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  93. These are lovely and engaging pictures. I always wondered what a roadrunner looks like – ‘Beep Beep’ the roadrunner – if that was what it was called – was the only example found on this side of the pond!

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    1. So pleased to introduce you! We have both the Beep-Beeps and Wiley E. Coyotes in abundance at the Holler and I fully understand how the Disney animator found them so entertaining.

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  95. Hey Cindy,

    Holler’s Avian ablutions comes with splosh and splash,
    With slip slide and furore, with feathers dipped and dashed
    By cool clean spa-water, flowing crystal clear and pure,
    Perfect for a photo opportunity, with you Cindy as the viewer!
    ~*~

    Hoping all is well in the Holler and you enjoying the late summer sunshine! If ever a cheeky Roadrunner leaves a feather for you, would you keep it on side for me, thank you? I am dying to own one! 🙂

    Take care. God Bless.

    Namaste 🙂

    DN

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        1. Thank you Cindy 🙂 I shall remain live upon the rack in anticipation of your notification. There is space in my flat ready and waiting for the Roadrunners feather. Beep! Beep! 🙂

          Take care of you.

          Namaste 🙂

          DN

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      2. Hey Cindy,

        Oooh! Really?! Really? Thank you!! That would immense and I ever grateful…

        You know, I adore the Cheeky Roadrunner,
        The Cool Dude breezing through town,
        He a rubber-soled bird, a journeyman, a thunder-foot tramp, a clown.
        He cuts a dash with his iridescent colours, But he’s gone in the blink of an eye,
        He turns one’s head when he comes racing along,
        When Geococcyx Californianus comes road-running by!

        ~*~

        Thank you. God Bless. Namaste 🙂

        DN

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        1. You write all this without ever seeing one. Amazing! It is so accurate. I thought I had one for you, but it was not to be, however vigilance will surely pay off……well, hopefully, and when it does, the running one’s feather will be flying to you across the pond!

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          1. Hey Cindy,

            Aww, you are always so kind and considerate. In actuality I once wrote a comment for Mary at Walking My Path: Mindful Wanderings in Nature (https://marybmaulsby.wordpress.com/) in response to an image of a Roadrunner. It was then that I did a little research as I was fascinated by this bird of Legend and Fable. He is a remarkable avian and a speedy little guy, and I love him because he is a hobo whose speed gives rise to merry mischief, whose courage and bravery takes on Rattlesnakes! What a guy! 🙂 I would be immensely thrilled to own Thunderfoot’s feather Cindy and be absolutely delighted to have one wing its way to me from you there in the Holler. Thank you so much! I am beaming a smile 😀 Your phrase, ‘the running one’s one feather’ is poetry in itself.

            I saw him once, the Roadrunner, as he flashed on by,
            Pounding down the road when perhaps he could fly,
            But what accolade in that and who would be there to see?
            Roadrunner’s tail-feathers, quality quills quivering quickly!

            ~*~

            Brightest Blessings for the remainder of your week. Take care of you and the Holler.

            God Bless. Namaste 🙂

            DN

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              1. Hey Cindy, Namaste 🙂

                It will be a quill to thrill speedily,
                Fine feather of form running rapidly
                Incisive instrument for hip-fired poetry,
                Free-roaming plume waxing lyrically!
                ~*~

                I would be absolutely delighted to take ownership of the Speedy One’s tail-feather Cindy and will treasure it as I do all others. Thank you 🙂

                God Bless. Namaste 🙂

                DN

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  103. How beautiful your birdy visitors are! Great photos and delightful commentary— love the cheeky roadrunner. I just adore birds of all shapes and sizes and here in my neck of the woods (Ontario, Canada), we feed a fine assortment of finches, blue jays, grosbeaks, sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches, cardinals, grackles and more; along with the chipmunks, red and gray squirrels, raccoons and recently some possums and a lone, rat joined the party.

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  116. Cindy, in mymad rush through life, your posts have been an oasis this serene Sunday morning. Blessings sent and you truly are sweet and amazing!
    Birds are my special “love” in nature and the funny comments (love that nails are not part of the Holler Spa treatment! 😀) made me giggle. xo ❤ Robin

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  124. Dear Spa Management, LOL, that was so funny! That fluffy little one up first made my morning. We’re deep in snow here today but I went out to clean and fill our bird bath. It’s heated so it doesn’t freeze and they still use it ! <3 <3 <3

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