Nature clicks #212 - Baltimore Oriole

 

We are out of town this weekend, so no local shooting this time. It doesn’t really matter, the last week offered so many opportunities that can be shared here in the blog. One of the birds we enjoy most at the moment is the Baltimore Oriole. We have seen sometime eight of these fascinating birds at the same time in our yard. They don’t hesitate to take advantage of the hummingbird feeders and we always have some orange halves out on the deck because they really like to feed on them after their long migration from Florida, southern Mexico, or the southern Atlantic coast.

Nature clicks #160 - Baltimore Oriole

 

One of the most beautiful birds that we can see here every spring and summer is the Baltimore Oriole. They spent the winter in Florida and southern Atlantic coast. Some are also found in Mexico and southern Texas. They feed primarily on caterpillars, beetles, bugs, and other insects but also like fruits and flower nectar. Not all the food is available shortly after their arrival here, which is always around May 1, and so the Baltimore Orioles are often seen drinking nectar at the hummingbird feeders. We also provide oranges that we cut in half and stick on a nail. It doesn't take them very long to empty the juicy and sweet content. Later during the summer they will not eat from the feeders anymore and the orioles are mostly found in the upper parts of the trees. RightTheir song is a flutelike series of whistled notes and listening to it puts always a smile in our faces...

They are all here

 

It was raining hard on Friday and this female Baltimore Oriole was probably thinking, "Why did I come up north all the way from the Gulf of Mexico if you still have almost winter weather conditions here?"

However, the bad weather with cold temperatures during last week did not stop the birds from arriving on time here in the woods north of Dubuque, Iowa. The first Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and the Baltimore Orioles were here April 30, and this matches our observations and records from the last eight years. The first Ruby-throated Hummingbird showed up May 3.

We had up to eight Grosbeaks here around the house that enjoyed the bird feeders or were just searching for food in the grass. I'm sure some of them will move on further north to Minnesota or Canada. They spent the winter in the northern part of South America or in the Caribbean.

It was a great day today being out looking for migrating birds. I saw probably six different warblers and some of them were first sightings for me. Not all pictures turned out the way I was hoping but I have enough to post here in the next few days. So please stay tuned...

Nature clicks #34 - Scarlet Tanager

Nikon D200, Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.0-6.3, 420 mm (630 mm FX), 1/125s, f/6.3, -1 EV, ISO 200

Joan and I keep track about the wildlife, especially the birds, that we see in our yard or in the woods surrounding it. She saw it already last spring. I discovered the Scarlet Tanager a few days ago for the first time. Yes, it became only a "feeder image", and the photo is not really tack sharp, and his bill is covered with suet from the feeder, and, and, and…. But I'm OK with that for now. I'm glad I was able to document its appearance here in our neck of the woods.

Nikon D200, Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.0-6.3, 500 mm (750 mm FX), 1/160s, f/6.3, -½ EV, ISO 200

I started the same way with the Baltimore Oriole. First I had only pictures that showed the Orioles at our hummingbird feeders. Now, six years later, I try to get shots that show the Oriole at different locations, with no feeder in sight. It may become a little more difficult with the Scarlet Tanager. But I'm hoping for more since we saw him again today  high up in the trees. It just doesn't hurt to set new goals for our photography…

Nature clicks #32- Red Fox visit

Baltimore Oriole

Before I continue to write about my recent trip to Utah and California I like to give you an update about what happens her in Eastern Iowa right now. It is the best time of the year for bird photography. All the birds that migrate south for the winter are back. Despite I still have to go through lots of images from my trip, I follow the good advice of the masters of wildlife photography, like Moose Peterson, and shoot every day in my own yard. Last Sunday I had my lens pointed to the numerous birds in the front yard. Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Hummingbirds, Goldfinches, and many others make it easy to find a target.

The light was great in the morning. While I focused on a Grosbeak, suddenly a Red Fox came down our drive way and run directly towards the birds in front of me. I quickly changed my focus and started firing. This image shows the moment when the canine discovered me. It is the only picture that is tack sharp on its eyes. The other ones were ok, but the sharpness is not as good as on this one. It took the fox only a second to figure out that he or she will have no hunting luck and it went sideways into the forest. The birds were already gone in panic.

I have seen this fox a couple times during the winter crossing our backyard and I was wondering if I ever would have a chance to make a click. I guess this was my chance, and I tried to make the best out of it…

All images Nikon D200, SIGMA 50-500 @ 500 mm (750 mm FX)