Wednesday Wings with Words

Okay, I missed last Wednesday, but here's something different this time:-) This the first video clip I've put together with music - nothing fancy, but it was fun figuring it out. It was taken yesterday. Right now, bees are swarming over the orange blossoms all around us (also the only time the air smells good here). There are so many bees, the air is filled with their buzzing. They spill over onto the plants here, and are just frenzied in their quest for pollen! This one rose blossom ('Comtesse Vandal') was a pollen battleground. They were pretty aggressive with each other in their desperation. Four or five bees on one blossom was a bit much! Anyway, check out the video below to see them in action, as well as a couple of still shots - hope you enjoy:-)

Wordless Wednesday Wings

Wednesday Wings The Beautiful but Elusive Hooded Oriole

This is the third Spring that we've had a Hooded Oriole pair return to our hummingbird feeders. They arrive with a bang - you can't miss their raucous call! Yet, despite the fact that they always announce their presence, they're very shy, and leave at the slightest disturbance. I can't blame them, but it's made getting good photos of them a definite challenge. I've only been able to try from inside through a window. So far, these two shots are about the best I've taken. Not the greatest, but they show how gorgeous these birds are:-)

Mrs. Hooded Oriole

We take the guards off a couple of the feeder slots to give them easier access. I think that's part of what's kept them coming back. We're so happy to have them! They're a definite bright spot around here. They'll be here for a little while, nesting and such, then move on again. In the meantime, I'll keep practicing sneaking up on these wonderfully vibrant visitors, and getting some outside shots (fingers crossing!).

Mr. Hooded Oriole

If you're interested in more info about Hooded Orioles, check out All About Birds, a wonderful bird id site! You can even listen to their song. It's a lot prettier than the noise they make when they land at our feeders, but I love that sound, too - it always makes me smile:-)