At 7am, when I read Von's comment that she would never hear an oriole, I amended this post to add links to the birds' songs.
Last week, somebody told me that this date is the most active breeding time for birds in our area. Just the day before I learned that bit of bird lore, I had heard, for the first time this spring, the bobolinks' voices . . . sounding like African click language . . . an electronic version . . . running off supercharged batteries.
I hurried home and popped orange halves on the birch trees: "If the bobolinks are back and it's time to make bird babies, the orioles must be here too."
And lo and behold: Baltimore orioles!
(Click the link: You can hear the bold call of the Red-winged Blackbirds in the background.)
(Click the link: You can hear the bold call of the Red-winged Blackbirds in the background.)
They're crazy for oranges, and quite the little acrobats in getting at the pulp.
I tried sneaking up on this guy in the birches and he flew all the way
across the yard to the apple tree. Y'can't sneak up on birds.
Happily, mockingbirds also like oranges; I saw one yesterday. O happy day!
Note to self: Buy more oranges. These are going fast.
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11 comments:
Ah the beauty and fscination of the orioles.I commented elsewhere about my fascination for a bird I'll never see or hear!
Thank you for the reminder to get some oranges. Our orioles are back too, but I haven't been able to get any closer than inside the kitchen when they are out in the pear tree.
How different from our little birds and the treats we offer them! (cheese, apples, grapes, bacon rind). Beautiful!
I've never been able to get a photo of Orioles, they and the Wood Thrushes outfly me!
♥...Wanda
I'm new to bird watching, but I love to sit on the deck and check them out. I've seen two huge pilated woodpeckers and am currently trying to decide if crows are worthy of watching.
I haven't seen a oriole for many years either. We have them here in Wisconsin they say but I put oranges out and never see any. I'd love to see an oriole and a bluebird. Those are the two I would really love.
Thamls for visiting my blog for faithfully, June. I love to hear from you.
I learned something new. Thank you! I'll put a plug in for cardinals. I so miss seeing them living here in Albuquerque.
Thanks for the idea of putting out orange halves. I'll have to try that. I'm not sure if there are oriels in my particular area but I've seen them about an hour from home. Hopefully, this will help me find out. I LOVE mockingbirds.. they're such friendly little things. Not very shy.
To Susan: Crows are most definitely worthy of watching closely. They're incredibly intelligent.
I keep reading about the orioles in May Sarton's journals, and have never got round to googling them for a picture, so thanks very much. They are breathtakingly beautiful and most be wonderful to watch.
Such beautiful birds - there are two nesting pairs in my immediate area.
Thank you so much, I've heard the orioles, at last, after all these decades!!! I'll post a link so I can hear them again..such a cheerful chappie! I've seen them too, so all is well, now I just need to find the poem I wrote 40 years ago!
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