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~
Lovely captures !
Love them very much π
Awwww, so happy you do & thank you!
So much fun. Another fabulous and delightful post. Thank you.
Thank you for being such a lovely friend~ <3
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
More great bird photos from Cindy Knoke.
Merci beaucoup mon ami Patricia! <3
Zauberhaft!
Vielen danke!
Absolutely a great post. I am envious that you have a visiting roadrunner. Perfect captions and a great story.
Awwww, thank you so much & happy Friday!
hahaha!! that was so funny!! I needed that this morning, Cindy!!
I am so happy it made you smile! <3
Gorgeous photos! If I was a bird I’d visit that spa! Meep! Meep!
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My husband told me someone left the best of the Roadrunner series clip and I knew it was you before I had time to get to the computer! LOVE THIS!!!! Still laughing……
What a beautiful set of “client” photos, Cindy! Have a wonderful day in the Holler! π
They are a demanding clientele from a customer service point of view! π
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. π βCurt
We have deer very occasionally passing through. They spend one night, get a sense of the coyote packs, and head to your place!
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. βCurt
Great photos and entertaining captions! Your guest clearly love the spa. π
They really feel I could be doing just a bit better job though……
Great pictures and priceless captions! How generous of you to provide such nice facilities for your customers. Now, if you could just discourage the riff-raff…
It is so difficult to please every bird…..sigh!
So fun!
So glad! <3
Quite the coat on this one too! π great shots!
He is definitely packing it on for winter!
ya! lol π
Beautiful photos, Cindy! I love the story you told with this one. So cute tales of spa! π
Thanks much Joey. Only the best for The Holler fair fowl!
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.
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.
Birds are cool. My nana had a canary called Dickie. He flat out refused to bathe when he was being watched. We used to have to peep round the door
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!
That’s mental. π
Fantastic shots, Cindy!
Awww, thanks much!
Very entertaining, with great shots of these birds!
So pleased you enjoyed & Happy Friday!
Love the story and the images! Awesome start to my day
So happy about that! Thanks for letting me know~
Wonderful shots and apt commentary!
Happy Friday my friend!
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.
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!”
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.
Fun stuff, Cindy!
Muchas gracias!
Your pictures are a joy.
You are very kind!
Maybe a little tighter security to keep the ‘thrashers’ out? π
Membership fees might be in order…..
Lovely birds. π
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This is one of your cutest posts! Thanks for the Friday smiles
Awww, thank you more for appreciating it & cheers to you!
Cindy that is so funny. Those birds really have attitude.
Leslie
They completely do. I watch them through the window by my computer and feel like part of group!
π
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.
Awww, you are such a delightful friend and person Sally. Thank you & cheers too!
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Absolutely adorable! π
Merci beaucoup mon ami Sarah!
Mon plaisir, Cindy. π
HAHA! I loved this, Cindy, such fun! There are some right posers in that bunch! π
A cheeky bunch of tweeters that’s for sure!
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
They are my buddies! <3
Lovely post!!
Very happy you enjoyed & thank you!
You’re welcome π
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.
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!
They definitely have a black ring around their necks, but I haven’t been able to identify the exact species. π
Ring Necked Doves from Africa & Asia.
Thanks!
<3
Pretty adorable π I happened on by…. and this caught my eye!
I am so glad you did & thank you!
What a spa-party! Thank you, Cindy, for the laughs and lovely shots of your friends! Wishing you a great weekend.
Back to you my friend with gratitude! <3
Great story to capture the photos. You are so creative!
Awww, you are a good friend! <3
Very enjoyable – and at least the management is listening, if not addressing all concerns! π
We have to have a top management meeting to brainstorm how to appear responsive without doing a thing…..
π I’m sure it is the best spa in town!
It definitely is. It is also the only spa in town!
Beautiful, Cindy. I love birds, and I love their expressive little faces. I often wonder what they might be thinking. Now I know!
I am good in filling in blank spaces with absolute absurdity! π π
Great photos as always and charming dialogue. I’ve never seen a Road Runner except in cartoons. Love it. Fun post.Thanks.
You are welcome at The Holler anytime. The roadrunners run the place. We just live here.
Wonderful!
Grazie!
The Hollet Spa is a fabulous place – I’d visit too. π
Sometimes I do wish I were a bird…….. π
Looks like a fantastic place that our two pet parrots would love! π
Superb shots, Cindy!
Oh I so love parrots!!!
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Cindy, this is a totally adorable post! Of course, as management, you’ll have to pick up your feet somewhat….. apparently! LOL! Fabulous shots.
I know. I think I need a customer relations department so I don’t have to field these pesky complaints…..
LOL!
Wonderful photos and I thoroughly enjoyed The Holler Spa!
It is the coolest place at The Holler!
Marvelous captures and aren’t you fortunate to have such an array.
Yes. They entertain me endlessly!
Cheers! Great photos as usual π
The ποΈποΈ and I appreciate this & Happy Friday!
Happy Friday…and Saturday π
Wonderful photos Cindy
Very happy you enjoyed them & cheers to you!
Love the pics! And the commentary. π
So pleased you do & thank you!
My pleasure!
<3
Nice! I almost went to have a bath in the Holler Spa myself π What is the top birds name Cindy?
Flash. He is the oldest, nicest, year round hummer!
So it’s a hummer and his name is Flash. (With his out of order feathers and, indeed, long nails, he doesn’t look to flashy though π ) Somehow it pleases me very much to know this.
Oh sorry. I misunderstood your question. The chubby guy in this post is a California Towhee!
Please sign me up, Cindy. I am convinced there is a long wait list…
It’s come one come all and there are plenty of treats!!!
Sounds lovely. Expect me anytime. π
So funny and adorable. The “riff raff” cracked me up. π
Those birds are picking up these bad traits from humans……. π
The spa must be quite famous in Holler. They are cute visitors. I am sure it makes spa keeper happy π
Very much so. I am watching a sparrow take a bath as I type. So funny…..
The bird spa is so cool! I love you happy Holler Birds! Hugz Lisa and Lucy
Hope you and Lucy have an pawsome weekend!
I can sit there for hours and watch the birds taking a bath.You got some great shots.
You and me both. I am doing it now. They are hilarious~
oj.. the road runner is soooo cute…. they really exist.. wow!!
Oh yeah, they exist and they are not shy. They are endlessly entertaining to watch and truly intense hunters.
Fun visit to the spa, Cindy, enjoyed hearing the feedback of your avian friends. Lucky birds, lucky us!
Yep. It is a mutually beneficial feedback loop!
Some of the best things in life are free – a visit to your blog for instance. Need I say more? Thank you Cindy.
Awww, you made my <3 smile! Happy Friday~
π
I love this post so much, it’s brilliant! Gorgeous pictures, too! π I really like the roadrunner, he looks like he means business!
He does mean business. He is actually quite a fearless predator.
Oh Cindy at first I thought you were at the spa and figured the bird was just there until I read the part about soaking your tail…still laughing here
Well it is true. I do enjoy a good soak! Cheers to you Chris & Happy Friday~
You too Cindy!
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!
You are a very kind person. Thank you for the lovely comments and cheers to you!
Aw, so darn cute!
They are just that!
Delightful!
Grazie mille!
Ahh, it’s a bird’s life! π x
It definitely, spa management has it’s ups and downs! π
π
Charming!
Merci beaucoup!
The SPArrow is too cute! β«β(ββΞββ)β β«
This birdie likes his baths!
Your exclusive client doesn’t mince words and I appreciate that. Gorgeous shots!
Yes, they don’t hold back do they!
Beautiful as always.βΊ
Thank you~
That bird looks reeeaalllyy relaxed! Hehehe!
He so overfed he basically can’t move, just float!
So cute… Beautiful post… Fun and great pics
Happy you enjoyed & cheers!
Very cute!
Merci beaucoup!
These pictures each told their story.. And l love watching the sparrows in our garden taking a bath in the birdbath.. Fabulous photos Cindy.. π
They love their baths don’t they! They just jump right in~
Lucky birds!
And lucky humans who get to watch them!
So pleased you enjoy the Holler, despite the riffraff. They have a pretty good photographer, too
Don’t tell anyone, but I prefer the riff-raff. It wouldn’t do for the clients to know this though~
π
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.
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!
Ah….. I guess it’s difficult to rely on a road runner.
Yes it is. They have mind of their own. Like all good creatures.
small bird but big photo π regards Alexander
Laughing……yes!
Great capture of these shots!!! You made me laugh and getting a shot of the Roadrunner is a prize in itself! Gotta have a word with the management though. No pedicures? For shame.
I am hiring a public relations rep as I type. She is going to have to handle all the feedback to management……
Wonderful photos! I think I need a session at the Holler Spa!
You definitely do, when are you coming?
Ah, but the view… Delightful Cindy! xxx
Now I can’t get the hummingbirds to migrate…..I’ve got about 50 of them who seem intent on overwintering. Spa management needs a vacay…..
They know when they have it good ,,,
<3 <3
Bisous mon amie! <3
Beautiful photos and witty commentary. Thanks for the peep who Cindy! π
Come on over Brad and bring your bathing suit……and birdseed!
I would love to visit you, the holler and birds! <3
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!!
Yes. I think he could easily manage consuming ALL the birdseed!
Wonderful! Fabulous photographs…
Thank you very much! So thoughtful of you~
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 π
Yes they are highly entertaining. The towhees just jump right in and make the most impressive splashes!
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
He is a California Towhee which is probably why he is so at home in the water!
Hi Cindy! He almost looks like a stuffed toy! Cute little guy! xo
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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.
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!
looks like the right
place to soak my
tail feathers π
Laughing…..Indeed!
Fabulous photos – especially loved the Roadrunner. They only ones I had seen before were in that cartoon!!
We have lots of them at The Holler. They seem much like feathered dinosaurs~
I thought all birds were descended from types of dinosaurs, especially chickens?
Some scientists think many dinosaurs were feathered and related to birds, not just the flying ones we already knew about….
That’s interesting!
<3
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. π
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Lovely. Almost made me go take a bath. π
Great shots. π
Almost, but not, eh!
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I’m sure I don’t know what your talking about. π
π
ππ great post and photos π
Thank you & cheers too!
What a wonderful post! I am totally, hopelessly besotted with your photos! What a beautiful sight to greet me when I finally get back here, kisses for them all! π
Awww, you are friend indeed! Hope all is well~
They’re adorable and so fun to watch! π
Much better than TV!
Cutie-pies! LOL
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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!
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.
I just hope the coyotes don’t run off cliffs chasing the roadrunners!
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Happy, lucky birds! The roadrunner is so cute, can’t imagine he/she being rude. π
Well, he likes to eat hummingbirds!
Oh no…π
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! π
Take care. God Bless.
Namaste π
DN
That would be easily accomplished. I will go see if I can find one now…..and let you know!
I checked. The feather I had seen yesterday is not a roadrunner’s. But I will keep my eye out for you……
Thank you Cindy π 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! π
Take care of you.
Namaste π
DN
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 π
DN
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 offβ¦β¦well, hopefully, and when it does, the running one’s feather will be flying to you across the pond!
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! π 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 π 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 π
DN
You shall a feather my friend, as soon as the speedy one chooses to leave one! They do soar, like kites, but can’t fly, and only soar when they are pursued by a worthy predator, which hardly ever happens!
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Hey Cindy, Namaste π
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 π
God Bless. Namaste π
DN
Photo-Anthropomorphism at its finest, Cindy! RH
Thank you! I always thought my early education teachers who rejected anthropomorphism just didn’t have much of a feel for animals~
I just love that fluffy brown bird. He’s so cute π
They are such sweet natured birds too!
uih, paradise for birds <3
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It seems like you have an impressive variety of birds at The Holler. I’m a bit envious…
We also have rattlesnakes, scorpions and black widow spiders……
Now I bet you’re feeling better! π
What a fun post, Cindy. Your photos take my breath away, and so do those cheeky birds. I adore them, bad manners and all.
The bad mannered ones are of course the most fun and thank you for your lovely comment my friend~ <3
Agreed! …and you’re welcome.
<3
What a little chubby! He’s adorable! Love the others, too β€οΈ
It’s possible I am overfeeding him just a tad……… π
Nothing like a good meal to fluff the feathers lol
<3
Delightful. I’m enjoying catching up with the Holler π
It is lovely to have you here Val!
How beautiful your birdy visitors are! Great photos and delightful commentaryβ 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.
Sounds absolutely divine! I so envy your cardinals and nuthatches. Wild critters truly do make the best possible neighbors~ <3
For me, the opening pic set the perfect tone that set the stage for a post that made me smile.
Ah, your comment just put a big smile on my face!
Lovely clicks Surreal to watch
So pleased! Thank you~
Love this!
Very happy that you do & cheers to you!
love your pictures Cindy. Bless their hearts! They little darlings with wings!
They are pretty darn beguiling aren’t they!
Please, let me know the membership fee and I am in π
Too fantastic ~ heaven for those little guys, wonderful photography Cindy.
I get jealous sometimes. I would like a permanent spa with round the clock room service all for free…..
What?? No facials? Seriously, great shots, as always, Cindy! What type of bird is that chubby little one in the first photo? Amazing feathers, physique. π
Thank goodness the birdies have not discovered facials or I would never hear the end of it! The buffet haunting first guy is a California Towhee~
Fabulous photos! I loved the humor at the spa!
So glad you do! Humor makes life worthwhile~
β€β€β€
Just love your photos and the cheeky comments you put with them
Just so good to have you back Pauline! <3
Good to be back Cindy
<3 <3
Classic! I love it!
Very happy you do & thank you!
Beautiful pictures, and I love how you shared the little birdies personalities.
They may be tiny, but they have outsize personalities!
This brings a smile on my face
Talking to these birds in the race
How nice of You to trace
Regards
shiva
Your comment just made my <3 smile!
Hello Cindy Good Morning!
Here is one more line for YOU.
“Birds, Animals and Nature in your post they Grace”
RegardsππΆ
Shiva
You are grace personified Shiva ππ
may I come visit your spa??
Please, I’ll make us tea!
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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! π) made me giggle. xo β€ Robin
You are most aptly named and I think your parents were on to something very good with you my bird loving friend!
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What a fabulous, animated Robin! π
Great post! Very cute birds! βΊ
Thanks very much & lovely to meet you and your blog!
Absolutely lovely… Excellent photographs, dear Cindy… Love & best wishes π
Same to you dear one and enjoyed your last essay immensely!
Excellent photos and humorous commentary, Cindy! You made me laugh!
I’m so glad! We need to laugh~ <3
What cuties. They made me smile π
Your smile made me smile~
This is just too adorable!!
Awww, so happy you enjoyed your vicarious spa day!
Beautiful and wonderful site, sights, and scenery. Do keep on blogging and succeeding!
Visa versa 2UX2 & thank U2!
Accepted! Thanks. Do keep on blogging and succeeding.
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