Corpses, corpses everywhere

I remember how pleased I was when I planted up my front garden in the spring. I put in two rhododendrons, four heather plants and a bunch of pansies. Only the pansies survived. Today I began removing the casualties. I should have watered them but by the time I noticed the wilting leaves it was too late. This has been a particularly dry summer. I am not that an experienced gardener and I guess I will know for next time that plants need water. I will see if I can choose specimens that are more drought resistant. As if to rub it in it wasn't only the plants that were dying. There is the corpse of a dead bird in amongst the weeds.