When we bought our getaway cabin property in Central TX 2 years ago, the former owners had an internet connection which left a really ugly 3" heavy duty steel pipe with attached dish right in the middle of the front yard, well-seated in cement. Can you spell U-G-L-Y??!! Well, we knew WE would never want internet service out there in the boonies (I mean why does one buy a rural getaway property if not to get away from normal city life?), so I went and removed the dish from the top, wrapped the wire around the pole base. Then I shopped around for a large, broad, melamine serving bowl at the dollar store. Found a perfect one with a cobalt blue bottom, my color theme in that yard. Using E6000, I glued it to the top of the steel pole, filled it with water and VOILA, instant bird bath. A little high, but the birds don't seem to mind that. And they must be using it, because there is bird poop all around the edge when I wash/fill it again. I'll try to remember to take my camera down next trip and post it here.
