It is hard to imagine that the little baby oriole that left the nest in late June has already flow south for the winter. The last oriole I spotted was a week ago and now it will be next May before the orioles return to my yard.
Little Oriole Gone
Picture of the Day for May 24, 2023
The later arriving birds are still building their nests, and I like this oriole nest that used grass, plastic pieces from an old tarp, dried cattails leaves, string and even the bright red string which she poked through leaving the loops of string. It amazes me how they can get even building material attached to swaying limbs to start with before filling it in.
Oriole Hanging Nest
Picture of the Day for May 20, 2023
The orioles have been frequent visitors to my sugar water feeders, but they also spend time in the apple trees eating insects and nectar from the blossoms.
Oriole in Apple Blossoms
Picture of the Day for May 10, 2023
With the trees beginning to leaf out, the orioles have arrived. And they must have been hungry from their trip north as one sugar water feeder was already empty and the other probably will need filling in the morning too. The Baltimore Orioles young males do not molt into their bright orange color until the fall of their second year.
Baltimore Oriole Arrived
Picture of the Day for May 9, 2022
Yesterday a variety of birds returned for the season so the yard was filled with extra sounds and angry calls as they fought over the feeders. The house wrens, Baltimore orioles, orchard orioles, rose-breasted grosbeak and ruby-throated hummingbirds were among the new spring arrivals.
Return of the Oriole
Picture of the Day for May 28, 2021
This oriole was enjoying the sunshine as it sang and preened. Maybe he was getting ready for a Friday night date with his girl.
Oriole Singing and Preening
Picture of the Day for May 20, 2021
Other birds seem to enjoy the flowering apple trees too and later when there are apples, more birds will savor eating the fruit.
Oriole in Blossoms
Picture of the Day for May 7, 2021
One male Baltimore Oriole has arrived from the south as the trees are starting to leaf out.
Returning Oriole
Picture of the Day for September 1, 2020
I think there are a few young orioles that tried to get a few more fun summer days in and didn’t leave when the rest of the orioles headed south as I had a group of three at the feeder a few days ago and a single oriole this morning. With the cooler temperatures, these youngsters passing through better get headed to their warmer winter home.
Stray Oriole
Picture of the Day for May 21, 2020
I know the orioles around my place are not color blind, but they apparently are prejudice of color as they will take the white strings and rarely take any of the red strings for nest building. Even the blue jay came and took the white strings. It is funny to watch them often grab more than one string before flying off to their nesting site as seen in the video I took a few years ago.
Taking Strings
