For the past 15 days this brightly colored Baltimore Oriole has been serenading us with his beautiful song, as he feeds in our 2 large Maples, and other trees in the garden.
He's quite a friendly little fellow.
He was peeking down at me here from the big Maple.
Then he lifted his head to the sky and warbled his lovely tune.
Have you ever heard an Oriole's song? Listen here at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, All About Birds, if you'd like to. It's not quite as exciting as hearing it in person, but it will give you an idea. He sings very loudly so that he can be heard from quite a distance. Perhaps he's trying to attract a mate. We haven't seen a little lady yet. I hope one shows up and they nest close by. We had a nesting pair 2 summers ago, across the road in the hedgerow, where we'd often see and hear them chasing crows away from their nest. 
He sings constantly as he flits from branch to branch, and we're curious about what he's finding to feed on.
Their diet consists of caterpillars, fruits, insects, spiders, and nectar.
I put orange quarters out on the tray feeders for him, but I haven't seen him eating them. I also hung an orange Oriole feeder containing sugar water, but he hasn't shown any interest in that either. I've only once seen him settle for an instant on the tray, but he saw me watering plants on the porch and immediately flew away. He may have investigated the orange quarters when I wasn't watching, but it doesn't look as though they've been pecked at.
So my efforts to bring him closer haven't worked yet. Nevertheless, we've enjoyed our glimpses of him in the maples, and the zoom lens allows us to see a little more detail.
I'm not finding much time to blog or visit lately, but will try to catch up with you all gradually. I do have a quick look at what you're up to in my bloglines when time allows, and I think of you often. Do you find yourselves doing that? These blogging friendships are amazing to me. Thanks so much for all your comments, and a very big thank you from my husband for all the friendly birthday wishes! He enjoyed each and every one of them :)
31 comments:
And you've even got prettier birds than us!!!
Yes, I think about my blog friends too. It's such fun and so interesting, isn't it?
Hi Kerri,
Lovely to see a post from you and read about the delightful Oriole in your garden. We don't have many birds that are quite that colorful.
I think of you often as well and hope you're able to be outside enjoying your beautiful garden during these lovely spring days.
Glad Ross had a great birthday!
love and ((hugs))
What a handsome bird to have in your garden Kerri. What an acrobat. I have never had an Oriole eat an orange either. I read about that but have never had them eat them in our garden.
What a brightly-coloured chappie!
Yes, I was just thinking the other day how many of my blogfriends have fallen rather quiet lately.... some have even stopped blogging altogether. 'Real life' must come first, though, so we all understand these blogging lulls.
Hugs to you Kerri,
XO Jelly
Wow, what a pretty visitor you have there. And that he sings so sweetly to you, too, is a double delight. :)
Spring seems to be when many of us gardeners fall behind in posting and commenting, and now that there are SO MANY more wonderful garden bloggers, it's two or three or four times as hard to keep up with everyone! I think about everyone often, and I think I am going to have to sign up for a feed reader to help me follow along.
We saw Orioles occasionally on the farm. They liked the orchard, it seemed.
Once I saw a bird...it was teal, I cannot remember what it was called, but my neighbor told me they weren't uncommon. I've never seen one again and I wonder how much I miss out on by not just sitting still, being quiet and looking.
God bless.
Terri
P.S. I have flowers on one of my cherry tomato plants already! Woo Hoo!
I'd love to see Mr Oriole a little closer, but your photos are wonderful, just the same. In fact it's often so difficult to get good bird photos in trees, but you and your camera have done a great job, Kerri.
We get to see some of our birds a little more clearly now that the leaves have fallen. However, we wouldn't care if we never saw another thieving Currawong. Now that most of the seeds have gone, they've decided on a vegetable diet. Unfortunately, their supermarket is our vegie garden.
Glad that young Ross enjoyed his birthday so much.
Apparently he is a shy little critter. I love watching birds myself and I do hope this one finds a mate and raises young so you can observe them.
Blessings Kerri
Hello Kerri,
I haven't seen or heard an Oriole since I was a child on the farm. I loved them and I miss them. Thank you for sharing yours with us. I did go to the Cornel site and listened to the song.
I have been thinking that all the gardeners are busy out doors right now. And, there is the noticeable lull in all the blogging :)
Kerri,
You photos are beautiful. We also have a male hanging around. They have nested in the yard in the past, but I'm not sure if they are this year or not.
Brian built me a special feeder that holds jelly, worms and has pegs for oranges, but I have not seen the Orioles use it yet. Hopefully they might feel bold enough eventually.
I love the songs of the orioles. Today, for the first time this year, I saw a bluebird. Wouldn't they be a pretty pair.
Hi Kerri, thanks for showing this bird. I have never seen one, they aren't around here in TN, only pictures in books. Your photos are much better, especially the one where he is singing his heart out with open beak and head back. Enchanting!
Frances at Faire Garden
Hi Kerri, Lovely photo's of your very colourfull bird "Oriole"
Never seen one over here...
Hi Mum,
Great bird pictures! He's a beauty. I hope manages to attract a mate soon. What does your veggie garden look like now? It would be fun to see some "before, during and after" pictures.
xoxo
Kerri, this is a beautiful post about the Oriole. It is a handsome looking bird. Kerri enjoy!
Hi kerri,
How exciting to have Baltimore Orioles in your yard. I have only seen them once in my yard.
I, too, think of my blog buddies often during each day. If I see an oriole tomorrow in my yard, I bet I will think of you! :)
I've glimpsed them now and then but can't seem to lure them to my orange and fruit feeder. What beautiful, bright birds. I guess I'll keep putting out oranges--the squirrels like them even if the orioles won't come.
Kerri, your oriole is just beautiful. We have the Bullocks and Hooded orioles here. Our males return about two weeks ahead of the females to set up house and I have found that the males do not come to the feeders much until the female returns. I love their sone as it is so distinct. You know immediately when they have returned for the summer.
Your photos are incredible. Ours are too skittish to get good pictures of them. Thanks for sharing the Baltimore species.
Very nice pictures (especially the one where the oriole sings to the sky) of this stunning bird with the joyful colour!
At the moment I experience the same as you: a lot of work (also in the garden) but little time to write about all the topics...well, that's summer!
Have a good time!
Barbara
A cute little fellow....i feel like I just visited Abe's bird blog....thanks for sharing... judy
What a beautiful bird. And he sings lovely.
Hope you get a nice week.
Love Elzie
More color for your garden!
We also have a pair of orioles nesting this year. I bought tangerines the first three weeks they were here, and they cleaned them right up. This week, I got oranges, and they aren't eating at all! Other years, oranges are fine.
Cute little bird and gorgeous colour. What beautiful photos you have and wonderful garden!
Just amazing pictures of the oriole! I have never had one here. Also the killdeer and the eggs are such nice pictures. You really take lovely photos. You live in a really pretty area with lots of trees like here in Maine. Glad Ross got everything planted and Happy Belated Birthday to him!! Take care and enjoy the sunshine!
What beautiful photos of the oriole, and so nice of him to let you take lots of pictures.
We had an oriole a couple of years ago, but have not seen one since.
Hello Dear Kerri.....
Just stopped by to ask how you are doing..... I heard on the news this morning that New York is having a terrific heat wave! Hope you are managing to keep cool. Love - Marion
Hi Kerri, thanks for the link to the Oriole's call. I've never heard it before as we don't have them here. Great bird photos.~~Dee
Wow, you have been blogging a long time. I found you on Annie's blog. Very pretty pictures and I also listened to the song. I like that Cornel site. How does one attract them to the backyard? Like some of your other commenters, I have had no luck either.
Kerri, I've never been quite sure of the oriole's call, but your blog has cleared that up for me. Nice shots of the songster too! And I enjoyed your shot of the killdeer -- amazing! I guess I need to get a tractor if I want to see the eggs :-). And good for Ross finishing plowing 60 acres on his 60th birthday. Some folks just celebrate with 60 birthday candles :-). Funny how all the garden blogsters fall silent when planting and weeding season arrives :-).
Kerri! What treat to see your photos of the oriole! Just gorgeous. I don't think we have many around where I live in Texas. I do remember them in Ohio. Visiting your blog is always a treat!
Have a good weekend!
Beautiful bird and song! We moved down one floor in our building and now we have a huge tree right in front of our balcony, the kids heard birds singing and found it so interesting to have this right at our door!
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