Saturday, August 27, 2011

Surprise Visitor Today!

It's been so dry around here...  it's very discouraging.  Besides a couple of .2" of rainfall . . . it hasn't rained for 8 weeks.  Solid. I don't want to show you photos of the flower beds, it's depressing.  I do continue to water very occasionally, just to keep Most things afloat, but it's taking its toll.

On a Brighter note... a MUCH brighter note, as you will soon see... look who visited today!  Looking for a drink, obviously!  :-)

Mr. Baltimore Oriole!
This photo was taken from the garage...

  And this one was taken from the driveway... very patient bird!
Look for Baltimore Orioles high in leafy deciduous trees, but not in deep forests: they’re found in open woodland, forest edge, orchards, and stands of trees along rivers, in parks, and in backyards.
As soon as he'd discerned I was finished taking photos, he hopped onto the hummingbird feeder for a drink.

:-)



16 comments:

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

So great that you got a photo. We have one that likes to eat bugs off the sunflowers but everytime I try to take a photo, whoosh, he's gone.

Randy Emmitt said...

Shady,
Yeah on the Baltimore, very exciting. I know what you mean about drought. We were on the outside edge of Irene and barely even got 1/4 inch of rain. I bet right here were are 6 inches below normal rain fall, most of the areas around us are almost back to normal rainfall.

troutbirder said...

Maybe they're getting ready to move south. Perhaps it was his cousins who stopped by here yesterday on their way to Iowa. :)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Gardener, I see them infrequently. There was a nest of them somewhere nearby this Spring, again. That's fun! :-)

Hi Randy, Thank you for commiserating. The time we received .1" is when my rain barrels first received water. There was probably 15 gallons of water in each, which revived (temporarily) a few very droopy bushes. This would have been two weeks ago. It will rain, though. Sometime!!

Hi troutbirder, I think so. That's why he was so patient...his wings were tired!! :-)

ohmygoodness - the word verification is "wings!" lol

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

So wonderful! No surprise, I love their bright orange plumage. I have never seen one, even though they do come through MI.

Bridget said...

How beautifully exotic!

Angie said...

Oh, oh I am so happy for you to have the Baltimore Oriole visit you! :) I have never had one here that I know of but I keep watching, looking, hoping...... Enjoy! :D

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Monica, Thanks for your visit. I've been Very Sporadic (at best) at visiting people this summer... I'm looking forward to printing your pie recipe! :-)

Hi Bridget!

Angie, It definitely caused a "double-take!" ;-) And amazement that it allowed me to get close enough for a better photo - posing, even! ha.

Sue Catmint said...

What a gorgeous and sweet birdie. Hope it rains soon for you ...

Shady Gardener said...

Hi catmint, I was thinking of YOU today... and your situation last year.

Chloe m said...

Now that is a delightful visitor in every way, and especially kind of it to hold still for you.
Such beautiful coloring!

GRACE PETERSON said...

What a fabulous looking bird! And how wonderful that he let you get his photograph. Hopefully you'll get rain soon!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Rosey! :-)

Grace! We received 1 1/2" of rain today!!! Yea!

Christine @ the Gardening Blog said...

Beautiful photographs of a stunning bird!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

How nice of him to let you take photos. He sure is a good looking fellow! I start taking photos from a distance, too, and keep clicking as I get closer.

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That bird is also one of the visitor of our garden. What a fabulous that bird looking! Great way you took its photographs. You are such a excellent.