Toward the end a successful bird walk (success being defined as finding lots of warblers) at Seager Park we were making moves to head back toward the parking lot when someone noticed some movement in a tiny pool of water next to the path. As we looked down we found a Chestnut-sided Warbler thoroughly enjoying a morning bath. It stayed in the water for several minutes, ducking its head under, shaking off the water, and squeaking with joy. The feathers tended to clump together in little spikes, particularly on its head. You can see a spray of water droplets as it shakes itself in the pool. Functionally birds bathe to rid themselves of dust and parasites and to help them preen their feathers, it’s obvious from these pictures that this little one gets a lot of enjoyment out of it as well.
In this shot the bird is vigorously shaking itself side-to-side with its head down in the water.