The summer months

are one of my favorite times for birding because it is the height of variety, and there are so many baby birds too. For July and August, I had a hard time choosing photos, so here you see some of the alternatives I considered, along with the two final choices, the Red-bellied Woodpecker and the dramatic Blue Jay (taking a sun bath). The immature Orchard Oriole was a fabulous surprise, and I always love the look of the immature Red-winged Blackbirds. Well, and I love Blue Jay babies in all their loud, demanding and adorable glory.

I worked in the veggie garden today,

and there was so much bird song going on that I put out Merlin to tell me who sings. Merlin picked up a lot, even a Tennessee Warbler, which makes me want to go explore. While I was shoveling, I spotted this guy, an immature male Orchard Oriole. I usually get an Orchard O at least for a day or two and was hoping this year too, so this was very nice. I love how his brown adult feathers are creeping in on the “bib”. I also saw a Catbird today, hopefully it comes to the feeders too.

Happy Sunday!

I am continuing with the introduction of the calendar birds. The choice for June was a tough one. I knew I wanted an Oriole, and since this season there was an abundance of them, I also had an abundance of photos. The wet Baltimore Oriole was my first pick because it is just such an unusual look and I loved the background and lighting. However, the bird is not entirely identifiable, so eventually, it was out. The “Tequila Sunrise” one is another favorite for the beautiful colors but somehow it lacked something. The final choice was an Orchard Oriole, and I chose it because I loved the gentle pose and felt like this beautiful bird deserves some attention.

The Orioles

have been extra busy at the feeders recently, and I am expecting to see their babies in the yard soon. I have already heard their gentle little calls in the trees yesterday. The Orchard Oriole is also still coming, and I am hoping that maybe this year, it might bring a young one to the feeder too. In the meantime, the adults are enjoying the amenities the yard has to offer and make the world prettier with their vibrant colors and songs. Come good into the week!

Vitamin O to start the week!

We had the the first real thunderstorm and rain pour of the season. The yard’s vegetation has pretty much exploded and the bird songs have calmed down because many are busy building nests. Last week, I saw the first female Oriole (see first photo), and there is a good group of them visiting. It is funny to me how much they can differ in color. On of these is of course the Orchard Oriole, so it is generally darker.

Usually when the Orioles arrive,

I also get lucky to see an Orchard Oriole too. This year does not disappoint in that respect. He has been here for a couple of days now, he likes to chatter, and I hope he sticks around a bit and maybe brings the wife. Apart from the difference in color, Orchard Orioles are also smaller than Baltimore Orioles. Immature males are yellow with a distinctive black bib. I had one one year and always hope to see it again.

This spring, I have been

quite a bit disappointed with the variety and number of migratory bird visitors but things have picked up a bit recently, thankfully. There are now several Rose-breasted Grosbeaks here, at least one “regular” Hummingbird, and the Orioles have also returned after being away for nesting duties. And two days ago, this wonderful individual showed up - an Orchard Oriole. I always used to get one per season at least, so seeing him was special. He has quite the interesting (not normal) beak color.

Orchard Orioles are the smaller relatives of the Baltimore Orioles. They have a very short nesting season, and I usually only see them passing through. I am assuming that the males at least have already begun their migration south. There was a young adult in the spring, maybe a female or youngster will show up now as well?

Another first today!

A young male Orchard Oriole. For comparison, the dark one is the full-grown adult. The yellow one is one that hatched last summer, and I am excited because I never had one in my yard. The female is more shy, seemingly, I have never seen one, but I hope they are nesting somewhere close.

This morning, we were greeted by snow and this happily singing Orchard Oriole. I usually get one male visitor per season, and it is always a special occasion. They are slightly smaller than the Baltimore Orioles.

I had left the feeder out for the night, and it seems the edge was a little sticky. I cleaned it right away this morning. This is a good reminder to not offer grape jelly in large containers or plates and cleaning the dishes regularly. The sticky residue can easily get on bird feathers or feet, making it harder for them to fly or take off. Snow in May is pretty crazy and unusual, but I also haven’t seen any hummingbirds this year yet either.

Mood progression from sunrise to sunset.

I still have lots of Baltimore Orioles around, but yesterday, this feisty male Orchard Oriole came over too. I wish I could see a female once. But the male is pretty cool too.

A very nice treat yesterday - an Orchard Oriole showed up. Normally, I only see them at the beginning of the season. Of course it was already getting dark, so the photos had to be edited a bit and are too dark overall. Still neat.

The Orioles are bonkers this year. There seem to be many individuals, and unlike in previous years, they seek out all the food options - jelly, oranges, and the nectar in the hummer feeders. It is crazy, but also pretty cool to watch.

Pictured is an Orchard Oriole (Yay! Third year in a row!), and what I think is a female Baltimore Oriole.

In other news, my mom is arriving tomorrow for a week-long visit from Germany, so I will not be able to post a ton. I will still try to put the cameras out because I just cannot help myself though :D Enjoy your week!

While more winter weather is rolling in, I am digging once again in the vault and dream of things to come. The yard is so much more colourful in the warm season. And the Orioles make things even better. It is always crazy to me to think how far they travel, and that they might remember my backyard as the place where they vacationed and raised babies or were raised as a baby. Maybe this year, a female Orchard Oriole (the male is in the pic in the middle) will finally make it to the booth?

I was in Oriole lover heaven today :D They dropped down on Michigan like crazy today! At times, I spotted six Baltimore Orioles in the yard at the same time. There was a female as well. I love the leopard head of the young one. And I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I also saw a Rosebreasted Grosbeak, but he would not go to the booth yet. Hummers have been sighted close to me, but I have not seen one either. This is my favourite time of the year <3

Wohooo! The Orioles finally made it to Michigan :) I did not see a Baltimore Oriole, but this lovely Orchard Oriole graced the yard today. Spring is finally here! He was a bit shy, but look how pretty he is! And he has a fantastic voice too <3