Parakeets having a bath

This morning the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Looking out of the window watching the birds I became aware that there was a shower. Very strange though as this "shower" was only in one part of the garden.

There were about eight Ring-necked Parakeets up in the Eucalyptus tree and this is where the shower was coming from.

The leaves were covered in water from rain in the early morning and the Paras were using this to bathe in. Much flapping of wings and squawks which went on for about ten minutes.

In all the time the Paras have been coming to my garden, I've never seen this happen before. Equally I've never seen them use either of the bird baths. I can only assume from my observations that this is their way of bathing. Fascinating.

The camera was packed away but did manage to get it set up in time for a few pics before the ablutions were over.

Normally my pictures of parakeets are when they are sitting still on the branches of the trees or when eating from the feeders. These are a bit different!