First oriole

[altivo]

Saw the first oriole today. They are among my favorite birds, both for their color and their beautiful song. Only the wood thrush sings more beautifully among the birds we have here, and he is a scarcity we hear perhaps once or twice a year. The weather may not feel like spring or summer, but seeing an oriole convinces me that the season is well along. Usually we see them only in May and June, and part of July.Robins and grosbeaks are good singers too, but they are repetitive and unimaginative compared to the variations in the orioles' music.

Daffodils everywhere. Gary has been planting more and more every fall, so now they are all different colors and shapes scattered in huge clumps around the house and barns. It gives us an excuse not to mow the grass too early in spring, as we wait for all the flowers to die back.

We haven't seen our regular vixen yet, but I've smelled her several times and so has he, so she's definitely around. Someone has been making tentative efforts at digging in the woodlot and under the arena again, and it is most likely she. I hope we get to see fox kits again. (And if she makes off with the neighbors' stupid chickens, good for her.)

Comments

[chibiabos.livejournal.com]

I think the blue heron is one of the most beautiful birds ... well, blue herons and bald eagles. I don't remember what a blue heron's call is like though. I still do not cease to be amazed to see a 'stick' suddenly unfold and unfurl a massive, gorgeous pair of wings.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

We see them occasionally. Ungainly on the ground, graceful in the air, and beautifully colored. The sound they make is more a croak than anything else, though.

[goldenstallion.livejournal.com]

Dear Rider.

Mmmm, orioles. I love them no matter what season and am the traditionalist, I open them and lick the center. Of course they sing to me the cookie song.

Oh, you mean the birds.

Never mind.

Imp

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*tailswat*

Too much sugar makes your brain mushy you know.

[flamekist.livejournal.com]

I think we skipped spring and went straight into summer. Cool mornings and hot afternoons make for perfect motorcycling weather. Just the other day I found out that we're officially recovered from the severe drought we had two years ago. Yay! No more worrying about losing all our dogwood trees to drought!

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I hope you're right about the dogwood. We had a severe drought here about five years ago, and I worried about large trees. When the drought was over, I thought we were fine, but several very large ones have died since and I think the drought was at least partially responsible. It takes a while for the impact to be felt.

[flamekist.livejournal.com]

We're thinking that it was the drought that weakened the tulip poplar that fell and damaged our house a few weeks ago.

We have dehumidifiers in the basement and in the backyard studio which we hooked up hoses to and were able to offer a small trickle of water to most of the trees during the drought. Today we're noticing that the trees that received that small bit of water are looking a little healthier than the ones that the hoses couldn't reach.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

You might be able to use the "gray" water from a washing machine or dishwasher as well, if you want to do the necessary plumbing.

[saythename.livejournal.com]

Actually the Orioles are 9 and 11 so far.

What? *looks off camera and raises his eyebrows*

Oh...oh /birds/! Yes.

Flowers too? Hmm, I'm currently trying for
Tiger Lilies.

As for the vixen...vulipines are survivors because
they fit into human societies without drawing
enough attention to themselves that they get shot
from helicopters like wolves. I think the vix
will be fine.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

As long as she isn't too obvious about eating those chickens, yeah. She's done fine so far. We try to cover for her when she drags a chicken's remains onto our land...

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

A regular vixen how nice to have regular visiting wildlife :D

*romps in the daffodils*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Better a regular vixen. The irregular ones make such a mess of things.