Thursday, April 11, 2013

Orioles


Baltimore Oriole near Wisconsin Dells, WI
It's amazing what a year of intense birding will do to a person.  Orioles are coveted by many homeowners as some of the best birds to come to their feeders.  Even non-birders fall in love with them. (Although most people think that there is just one kind of Oriole out there)  I was part of that crowd until I began studying birds:)
Hooded Oriole-Kubo in Madera
People will do anything to get them to come to their feeders.  Fresh oranges, nectar, and jelly are popular items during spring around a person's birdfeeders.  If one comes to visit, there usually will be a happy dance by the person watching.  It's then followed by a pat on the back with the inside thoughts  "Well done me.  Well done."
Orchard Oriole-at my Grandma's house in Shoto, WI(I haven't seen the male yet in full color)
This year I discovered that there were more Orioles out there than just the Baltimore's variety I grew up with.  Here in Tucson, THREE types have moved through our town.  There is the Bullocks, Hooded, and Scott's Orioles.
Bullock's Oriole-Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast
Orioles are a bit more standoffish than other birds I observe.  Many times I have to stay perfectly still to get them on camera or I'll frighten them off.   There are more Orioles out there and slowly they are making their way up north into the United States and Canada.  My Grandma says that by the end of May all of her Orioles will be back. They are a colorful reminder that spring has indeed arrived!
Scott's Oriole-Battiste's Bed and Breakfast


15 comments:

  1. Też bym takiego slicznego ptaka chciała zobaczyć w swoim karmniku. Jest to jednak niemożliwe, bo u nas takich nie ma :(. Pozdrawiam.
    I would want such a lovely bird to see in your karmniku. However, this is impossible, because with us there is no such (. Yours.

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  2. beauties! i will get a glimpse of a baltimore here every so often. but i don't feed oranges or grape jelly so they don't come close.

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  3. Beautiful pictures! I've seen Bullock's and hooded orioles at my hummingbird feeders but only about once a year and they are very camera shy.

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  4. We're lucky to get a few orioles here each year. They do tend to stay on the fringes of the garden in more cover. It's always exciting to see the bright flash of yellow/orange.

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  5. Beautiful photos of the Orioles.

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  6. Wow i love that shot with open wing! I wonder why it is already April and our orioles haven't arrived at the tallest tree we have in our property. I miss them. Remember i have a good shot of it last year.

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  7. Great shots of these vivid dressers.

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  8. Lovely images...beautiful colors..have a nice weekend

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  9. Orioles are great we only really get Golden here although I was lucky to see Baltimore back in the 1980's on The Isles of Scilly, lovely shots :-)

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  10. Lovely photos Chris of such a beautiful bird. You are so fortunate to have them visiting feeders. Over here we only have one species which is very secretive and elusive. The Golden Oriole can sometimes be seen on migration on the South and East coast of England. Other than that there is a small population which arrives to breed in Suffolk.

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  11. They are such lovely flashes of colour when they visit. Great shots Chris :)

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  12. Count me in. I love orioles too especially those highly coloures ones in your pictures Chris. Over here we have only Golden Oriole (now there's a name) but its very rare breeding in just one place. people go off orioles when I tell them a common Starling is an oriole (it is, listen to their calls).

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  13. Wonderful looking birds - I think they would be very easy to fall in love with!

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  14. They are indeed very beautiful birds. none of the Oriole's come this way, so it's so nice to see them on your blog.
    Regards.

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