This Baltimore Oriole spent quite a bit of time feeding from the hummingbird feeder. Although the feeder port is quite small – perhaps 3-4mm wide – it was definitely able to feed; I saw it swallow several times. It is setting up ‘housekeeping’ nearby; I hear it singing throughout the day
Focus is a little soft, as I took this through the screened kitchen window.
Baltimore Orioles are a late spring arrival. Seeing this one was a good stamp on spring finally being here. Photo shot through the kitchen window which has a screen, therefore the slightly out of focus image.
It is at a hummingbird feeder; I have learned over the past several years that orioles prefer them to the oriole feeders I have trialed; the hummingbird feeders are less tippy and unsteady.
I happened to be sitting on the deck when this Baltimore Oriole made its first visit of the season to my backyard hummingbird feeder, which it prefers to the larger oriole feeder.
As our garden transformed last fall from actively growing into dormant and dying, we left many stems and other material in place instead of tidying up all of the dead stuff.
A few days ago this Baltimore Oriole was a benefactor of our decision, peeling fibers off of this Butterfly Bush stem for its mates’ nest.
I believe we will continue gardening in this wildlife friendly way.
The female Baltimore Oriole is a frequent visitor to this feeder. She vigilantly monitors our movements and flies away if we move too much.
previouslytexan 