Water features add both aesthetic and ecological benefits to the home landscape, especially during hot and/or dry seasons. Getting started is easier than you think.

For ideas, browse images of birdbaths, fountains, waterfalls and ponds at Houzz.com's "75 water features during drought."

*Still Birdbath

Anyone can create a birdbath to attract and sustain the area's birds and butterflies. Without a pedestal, you will provide an important water source for squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks as well as birds; with a pedestal, birds will appreciate the less busy source of fresh water each day. Make sure to add large stones if the container is deeper than about five inches, and be sure to change the water daily to help keep mosquitoes from laying eggs in the still water. Brush out the container every week or so to keep it fresh and healthful.

Note, too, that something as simple as a heated plastic dog dish with a few large rocks inside can be used for the same purpose in the winter.

*Birdbaths and Fountains with Motion

Add a submersible motor with a bubbler or mister to the birdbath or purchase an outdoor fountain with a built-in motor and bubbler to enjoy the sight and sound of moving water, attract birds and butterflies, and keep the mosquito population down at the same time. For the price of an extension cord -- and possibly a hose connection -- you can refresh your family's outdoor view and start a bird-watching hobby for life.

Position your fountain so it is visible from a location where you can see and enjoy it easily, where there is less likelihood of animal droppings and leaves falling in from above and where you will remember to check water levels daily.

Evaporation and water loss due to birds splashing is normal. If the birdbath or fountain runs dry every day, check for cracks. The article "Why your fountain loses water: 8 causes and fixes" on Liquidfeatures.com explains how something as simple as plant overgrowth or overspray, or a more complex foundation crack, might be the source of a fountain leak.

If the fountain is glazed, make sure it is portable enough to store indoors in cold winters to avoid cracking. Clean once a week.

*Conservation with Pondless Waterfalls, Rain Barrels and Rainwater Gardens

A pondless waterfall can fit nicely into a landscape that has a hill or berm or where elevation can easily be added. YouTube videos show the relatively easy installation required to design and install a water feature that can either trickle or flow. Conservation is central to this feature as water is recycled from a hidden reservoir and keeps water usage to a minimum.

Another way to conserve water, where rainwater harvesting is permitted by local ordinance, is to add a rain barrel. Place a 30-gallon plastic garbage under your home or garage roof to catch runoff for your use later. Attach a chicken wire or rabbit wire screen over the top with wire or zip-ties to ensure that animals can't fall in, add a fitting and spigot at the bottom and you'll have a nice source of free water for your pondless waterfall, lawn, and flower and vegetable gardens. (Note: Runoff from certain types of roofs or that which is contaminated by animal waste is not potable.)

A rainwater garden captures water before it flows into the sewer system. "It's a beautiful flower bed -- and a reservoir for yard and roof runoff," says Familyhandyman.org.

If you worry about a wet or damp basement, busy sump pump or muddy puddles in your yard, the rain garden may be for you.

In an area where water runs downhill even slightly, or ponds naturally in your yard, dig a hole four- to eight-inches deep and fill it with native flowers and grasses with deep root structures. Add attractive river rocks and boulders and enjoy a garden that periodically fills and empties while supporting a mini ecosystem.

Rainwater gardens are designed to reduce water loss and chemical and pet waste runoff into the sewer system. They allow water to seep into the ground before mosquitoes have a chance to breed but are not so deep as to present a trip-and-fall hazard.

*Water Garden and Fishpond

A water garden with koi fish, whether natural or formal, is exquisitely beautiful and peaceful. The investment and upkeep are considerably higher than the other features, especially if a professional contractor is needed to ensure success. But the end product offers infinitely changing views throughout the year.

Be sure to consider your area's wildlife and how to conscientiously protect your fish, sustain your fish in areas with a harsh winter and maintain the proper pH levels for your habitat to thrive and remain disease-free.

"The bigger the pond, the less likely small changes in water quality will have a huge impact. As an added bonus, ponds often attract wildlife, (and provide) a chance to appreciate deer, frogs, dragonflies, etc.," according to Loveyourlandscape.org.

The gentle sounds and appearance of water can soothe and delight the homeowner and, when placed near feeding stations, sustain a delightful variety of fauna within easy view. An endangered bird species may even find your home! So, get out that bird book and enjoy.