Bath time

It hasn't rained for more than a week. That constitutes a drought on the southern Tablelands. Pastures have crisped into straw and the turkeys sound as if they're raking gravel when they scrape through dead leaves.

So a terracotta plant pot saucer full of water is a boon to the wildlife. Is there a more joyful sight than birds taking a bath? Even whipbirds come out of hiding at the chance of a dip. And they're just as frantic in their bathing as they are in everything else.