Oriole Summer
What a wonderful summer it has been for our Oriole friends! At least 2 families of Baltimore Orioles nested around the farm, and the brilliant males sang from the treetops early in the season. These birds generally appear in the spring, fill up on oranges and grape jelly for a few days, then disappear until they return with their young. This year, they have stayed around, in and out of feeders and birdbaths, for the whole nesting season.
This female was collecting some favourite nesting material -- strands of Prairie Milkweed silk from the stems that are left in the garden for them from the previous year. The brood patch on the belly suggests that this Oriole has been sitting on eggs already -- maybe a second nest after a failed first attempt?
Once the young Baltimore Orioles were able to fly, their parents brought them in to the feeders and water.
There are 2 nice clean birdbaths for bathing and drinking, but the young Orioles preferred a shallow saucer that is set out for the Butterflies!
During this hot summer, cool fresh water was really appreciated by all of the birds.
A real treat was the appearance in mid-June of a pair of Orchard Orioles. These birds have gradually been making their way north in the past few years, and are beginning to breed in our area.
The male was a first year bird, hatched last summer, and was still wearing his yellow and black feathers.
He made an appearance outside the garage window, and I was worried when he kept attacking the glass -- other windows are treated, but this one is behind branches, and it should have been safe. The window was quickly covered with cardboard, and although he tried to dig his way underneath a few times, he eventually gave up!
On this picture, taken through the garage window, we can see the beginnings of rust coloration; next year his yellow feathers will all be this lovely reddish colour.
Here is a photo of a mature male taken a few years ago. Interesting that it takes 2 years to grow into their adult wardrobe!
The female Orchard Oriole is a soft yellow/gray combination. Apparently these ladies are sometimes mistaken for Pine Warblers.
Both Orioles enjoyed the oranges and grape jelly.
Whether or not this pair would actually nest, given the young age of the male, was uncertain. I never saw them gathering nesting material or mating. But ... there was a nasty storm in early July, and 3 baby Orchard Orioles ended up on the grass under a Tamarack Tree. Both parents were feeding them on the ground, and the babies seemed none the worse for their tumble from a now-visible, tattered nest that was dangling by a few strands about 20 feet above us. If you look closely, you can see one fuzzy baby below Mom's bill.
Not quite sure how to help, but knowing there was no chance of survival on the ground, I found an abandoned Robin's nest nearby, and used some twine to tie it to a branch at eye level. Quickly stuffed the babies in, and went and bought some mealworms in case the adults didn't like the arrangement...
By the time I returned home, feeding was taking place again. These wonderful parents didn't miss a beat!
The unnecessary mealworms were placed within view, and were soon fed, along with lots of other bugs and crawlies, to hungry little ones.
About a week later, 2 of the young Orioles decided it was time to leave the nest, and try some short flights around their Tamarack. The third wee bird wasn't so sure ...
Poor little thing balanced on the edge of the Robin's nest for the day, and Dad brought food.
Eventually a jump to the nearest branch was tried.
And then all 3 were on their way to independence! Over the next few weeks, the family would return, a few at a time, for grape jelly, oranges, and the food that apparently tasted best in their home tree.
Mom and one of her brood share a tender moment.
How wonderful to know that this family was able to adapt and survive! From resting comfortably in a finely crafted, hanging, grass pouch to being thrown to the ground; from being plunked into a heavy, clunky Robin's nest to making their way in the big wide world --- what a miracle these young ones are! And what a feat for inexperienced parents too: persisting and adapting in the face of adversity to make sure that 3 little Orchard Orioles were able to join their ranks.
As I held tiny, fragile, baby birds in my hand, and reluctantly made decisions about their survival, I was overwhelmed (once again) by humility and ... inadequacy. The responsibility of stewarding even our little corner of this beautiful world can seem like a task for which we are ill-equipped.
In Mother Theresa's words, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love." And know that it is enough.
Haven't we all felt like those vulnerable wee birds at some point, too -- tossed out of our comfortable spaces, plopped unceremoniously into what would seem to be a random "Robin's nest" of a situation ... and expected to conform and survive?? Our choices: give in to despair and mourn what was (and let's give ourselves permission to do that for awhile!), or (eventually) somehow find the courage and resilience to adapt, forge ahead, and move forward into our new reality.
May the tenacity, will to survive, and perseverance of small creatures inspire us.
-Merri-Lee
Beautiful... just so beautiful! Elmeda