Baltimore Oriole update

I have been watching the oriole nest behind the house for several weeks but everything was quiet and I had about given up, figuring they had too. But from time to time I would see the male high atop one of the trees nearby and I noticed he flew down to the nest anytime another bird would perch too near it. So I never totally gave up hope.

A few minutes ago I was out taking pictures of the tree swallows and decided to check on the orioles. They obviously have chicks and are feeding them.

Here are a few shots. You can't see the babies yet but I expect in a few days we will see little heads stretching to get the food.

As you can see, both parents feed them. This is the male. The nest is in a tulip poplar and the leaves and flower buds are blocking our view of him a bit.

This message was edited Jun 11, 2010 10:57 AM

The female as she leaves.

An even better shot.

Our tulip poplar flowers are way at the top this yr for some reason. The orioles love them but I think will be difficult to see.

Another shot of the female.

Great captures! I'm seeing so many juveniles here, but still have been unable to find the nests. Can't wait to see more pictures!

That is just so cool...Thanks for sharing Dave!! I just love it when the young ones start coming to eat. I am really anxious to see how many we have this year!

Now I wonder if one of my ugly males is really a female.....

Great shots Dave! Looking forward to seeing the chicks from all your birds!

Interesting to watch the Orioles removing the fecal sacs like the bluebirds do. Here is Papa.

And Mama

Mama again.

Papa, amid the tulip poplar buds

Very nice!

Great photos of the wings!

Nanny, I noticed that Mama here has spotting on the back of her head. Is that what your oriole looks like?

Yeah...not the usual brown that I have always seen.

Here is a closer look at the back of her head.

Interesting development took place a few minutes ago while I was watching the oriole nest. I noticed a brown headed cowbird perched about 10 feet directly above the nest, so that he surely could see down into the nest. A few seconds later, the cowbird flew down, toward the nest and the female, from out of nowhere, intercepted him.

Here is a close up of the image above.

excellent shot!! Her beak is open and ready to let that cowbird know she's the boss around there :) I love how this pic shows the bottom of their nest..

I'll be "watching" this one for baby pics ^_^

Love this thread Dave, some great shots here and that last one with the female defending the nest is fabulous.

Thanks, I did get one more shot as as she chased him away.

A little closer crop of that one.

Here are some shots from yesterday. First time I was able to see what they are feeding the chicks. I think he stopped in the locust tree because I was standing there, looking at the nest.

This message was edited Jun 14, 2010 2:24 PM

From one side of the nest the light shines through and you can see movement, but still no little heads reaching out.

After a sudden rain storm with lots of wind, I went out to check on the nest. I saw Papa and was trying to get a shot of him when Mama flew out of the nest. Apparently she was shielding the youngsters from the weather.

Next shot.

Another shot of Papa

An instant later.

And one more, before he was out of range.

Here's Papa again,

...showing why it is difficult to get his picture. He rarely telegraphs which direction he will go

Next

This is so great ...enjoying this thread alot!

I do think I have different females this year ...they look like yours. Before they have always had the females with a more brown head & feathers.

Thanks Nanny. Glad you like it. Another exit, similar to the one before.

Not the best shot, but lots of color.

Another shot of Papa, taken yesterday.

Again, the exit comes all too soon.

Even your "not the best shot" is good to me! What an amazing time to be watching these birds Dave. So glad you had that camera handy just at the right time.

I watch the sibling rivalry on my feeders between the oriole juvies, but to watch the adults protecting their nest is just awesome. Great pictures!

Thanks duc This is the last shot from yesterday, I will look to see if I got anything the day before.