Last year I bought this, new in the box, orange oriole nectar feeder at a garage sale. A couple of weeks ago I filled it and forgot about it because I knew it would be a long shot attracting orioles to my yard. Tonight as I was cleaning up in the kitchen I thought I spotted something at the feeder. I ran outside and brought it in to clean and refill. Within thirty minutes I saw the oriole back at the feeder eating! This is my first oriole to ever see in person. I was so excited!
I had to take the picture with my point and shoot camera because I didn't have the zoom lens on my Canon. I changed the lens after taking a few pictures but I didn't see it again. Maybe it will come back tomorrow or hopefully others will find their way here.
This little goldfinch was hanging around Saturday. It was pretty cold and the poor thing was trying to keep warm. I don't know if it was sick or just old, but I knew it wasn't going to live much longer. I tried to get it to leave the yard, but it kept coming back to the patio. I found it dead later that evening. I'm not sure why they like to come here to die, but this is the third one since last year that has come right up to the house or patio to die.
On a brighter note, the clematis are blooming! This one is growing beside the front porch. I planted it two years ago and it is filling out quite nicely.
I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day!
24 comments:
I have never had an Oriole come to a feeder. I have had them come to the Honeysuckle by the patio.That was exciting. Poor little birds must find your patio a secure place. Think of it as a compliment. Either that or the neighbors use pesticides that affect the birds. Not so good. I hope you had a great Mother's Day too.
That is a beautiful bird - never seen one here in the Ontario area - maybe they don't come this far north. Lucky you!
I've never seen an Oriole before. Yours was gorgeous. Sorry to hear about the little finch. I was thinking the same as Lisa, perhaps someone nearby is using pesticides which is harming the birds. Your clematis is spectacular! I love the color.
Congrats on your first sighting of an oriole. They are always using my hummingbird feeders, I should try an oriole feeder this year.
The birds know your backyard is safe and welcoming so they will come when they are sick or old.
That is so exciting, Robin! I've never seen an Oriole either...and I'm only an hour and a half from Baltimore (haha!). How nice...and your photo is great, even if it isn't with your good lens. Those clematis are gorgeous. I love the light blue shade. I have had 3 plants give me 1 bloom each, thus far. I'm waiting for a full display--but the individual flowers have been pretty, so I'm not complaining. Sorry about that cute little goldfinch. I hope it was just his time to die and not induced by poisons or chemicals.
I hope you get many more Orioles this summer.
Blessings,Ruth
Beautiful!
I have a clematis just starting to bloom as well!
An oriole! You were blessed, Robin! That's a nifty little nectar feeder, too. I hope I see an oriole this year - they're very illusive. Poor little goldfinch. It's always hard to watch birds die, but it's nice that they're given a safe, beautiful spot for their final moments. And the clematis? WOW, is what I say! Thanks for the neat post.
What a beautiful Oriole! They are rare here. We occasionally get a wanderer.
Poor Goldfinch. Birds puffed up like that and idle are usually sick (I have one pet bird remaining now and he's 13). Perhaps your garden and kindness to birds is why they feel safe and comfortable in choosing to die there.
We have not seen the Oriole yet but we have heard one somewhere in the trees. Need to get the Hummingbird feeder ready as we should see one anyday now. That poor little goldfinch looked so cold all puffed up. It is so sad when something dies in the yard. We give it a good burial in the vegetable garden. Your clematis is beautiful. Happy Bird watching and gardening. Valerie
I have never seen a feeder like that before, What do you put in it to attracting Orioles. I know they like orange halves. I have tried and put oranges out but no luck.
I gather you have a wonderful peaceful place to spend the last days on this earth. What a pretty bird it was.
Your clematis are beautiful, you have a green thumb. My lawn guy cut mine down this winter thinking it was part of that invasive ground cover called Vinca. Back to square one.
The dear little goldfinch must feel safe in your yard, Robin. Your oriole is gorgeous -- I've never seen on around here. And that clematis is stunning!
Robin how wonderful to see an
Oriole in your garden!I saw one by chance several years ago just one and this year intend to put out an orange feeder to see what happens.
Robin I think it is divine intervention that brought this little goldfinch to your garden..you care about the birds and feed them and I think they know just where they want to take their last breath. I'm sure you planted it somewhere special in your garden.
I am so happy to see you stop by my blog today because you have been on my mind for some time.
Enjoy watching those Orioles!
Beautiful birds. In past years we've had oriales but they never seem to hang around. A neighbor says he puts out a small plastic lid with Grape Jelly on it for them. He says they love it! He has them every year.
I didn't know about Oriole feeders!! What a joy to see one AND get a photo.
Thanks for commenting on my blog today.
He is a beauty. I saw one the other day at the gardens and It tried to get a shot of him but he was too fast for me.
My first sight of an oriole too - though I've heard them. Not sure if the ones we have in Italy are the same as yours - ?
Oh, I wish we had such bright colored birds in my garden. I'll just have to enjoy yours!
Thank you for sharing!
Oh my goodness!!!! I LOVE that pretty little bird! I just want to cuddle him! hehehe. Well, I am so glad to have found your blog! Gardening and I don't mix, so I like to admire from afar ;)
How lucky you are to have an oriole in your yard! I've never seen them, but I keep an orange half and grape jelly out there, just in case. Goldfinches are in adundance though, and I consider myself lucky about that. Sorry you lost such a sweet little bird.
Hi Robin, I've had a few Orioles at my feeders, but not many. They're so beautiful and your Orange feeder matches him perfectly! I have a theory about why birds come to your place... they do that to me too, and I'd like to think they somehow know how we love them. They are fed there, and know somehow, that someone cares about them. That seems to make it a safe place for their final resting place. Maybe I'm way off base on this one, but I like the thought that a bird or animal might feel safe with us. (: xxxVicki
I bet your Baltimore oriole will be back since he's obviously found your feeder. Once they learned mine were here, I've had them ever since. It's especially fun when they bring their babies and teach them to use the feeders. I have a different kind here in Colorado (the Bullocks oriole) they are all so beautiful & colorful to see in the garden. If you put out some grape jelly they will love that too.
So sad about the goldfinch. I hate to find dead birds too. On a bright note, your clematis is beautiful. I love the color.
Robin, thanks for the photo. I've never seen an Oriole. Your goldfinch is in all his golden finery. We see them when they are sporting their dull colors, but we are grateful to see them anyway.~~Dee
That goldfinch was beautiful. Sorry to hear it didnt make it. I need to figure out how to get more birds. I put out seed and no one shows up. I have had bluejays visit my cat food dish tho. By the way, your clematis looks like my Ramona, love the color.
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