A long step away from the blog

Has it really been 3 years?? Life happens - and for the last 6 months, Covid happens! Fortunately it has stayed away from our household, I hope all of you have been safe. The normal routine is not so normal anymore. Fortunately, many of the regular birds have been very regular. A welcomed constant to the changing world.

This has been an Oriole and Hummingbird blog from the start and they have been constant companions in our backyard - well, the hummingbirds are constant. The Hooded orioles, of course, are migratory but have been returning every year in pretty good numbers. This year we have around ten orioles - between the adults and juveniles. And as playful as ever.

Here are a couple photos of the Hooded orioles over the last couple months. They are such a pleasure to see as they arrive in March and stay through August - oh my, just realizing this is now August and I only have a few more weeks of their company 😞 

The adult males are so striking in their bright yellow with the dark black bib!

Here are a couple hummingbirds snacking. These are both Anna's hummingbirds, and both adult males with their dark gorgets (special throat feathers) that reflect brilliant colors when the light angle is right.

Some of the other yard birds that have been stopping by - male Black-headed grosbeak, a Dark-eyed junco who is fond of mealworms. Juncos usually are just here over winter, but a couple resisted the urge to fly north for the summer. Mr lazuli, as we call him - a Lazuli bunting. A favorite visitor over the summer. what great colors! the second photo is most recent and he is in the middle of a molt so he looks a little scruffy - still adorable though! And a Nuttal's woodpecker! A fairly rare visitor to the yard, but can be heard pecking on the nearby avocado trees, especially in the morning.

I'll finish off with a couple larger birds seen from the yard. First is a Sharp-shinned hawk! The smaller birds do not appreciate when Sharpie or Cooper (Cooper's hawk) drop by looking for a quick snack. next is a Red-shouldered hawk. This was just after a rain and it was enjoying the sun to dry out its feathers, putting on quite a display. And largest of the birds that land in the yard - a Red-tailed hawk. There are a couple that make our neighborhood home, quite impressive. The smaller birds don't pay them much mind as birds are not really on their diet.

Here is a short video of a Black phoebe who has been a regular for a week.

Thanks to those stopping by to see a little of the birdlife that we enjoy in Southern California.

Orioles and Bunnies

It's May 10th and we are in to May gray and soon June gloom. But, the morning - evening fog has mostly been thin and clearing early in the mornings.

Plenty of Hooded Orioles at the feeders and 'playing' around the backyard. I spotted 5 adult males at one time last Sunday.  Lots of hummingbirds, as well. Mostly Anna's but Blackchinneds and Costa's also.

Speaking of feeders, not so many bees. I am trying a suggestion from a Wunderground acquaintance. 'Brush vegetable oil on the base', bees don't like it. Seemingly, they don't! Makes for a slippery feeder, so care in refilling is called for. And I am not sure of effects on the sugar water from mixing - by me or the birds. So far, the birds don't seem to mind (much, anyway - can't tell). Application frequency will be once a week, if not more often. I hope this will be a long term solution. It is easy to bee proof feeders, but then the orioles are proofed as well. Not the solution I am looking for.

I did not realize bunnies would be so fond of bird seed. I put out a large clay pot base with seed for the morning doves and whatever. Very soon after in the early mornings, bunnies would be sitting in the saucer munching away. I put the saucer on a 5 gallon paint tub ( a little over a foot off the ground) and the next day, bunny was up in saucer on tub. Need a new plan.

Not sure what happened to all of the Lesser Finches feeding on the finch sock. Shortly after putting up one, there were 8-10 buzzing around. Lately, only 2-4. Maybe a dud batch of nyger seed.

Early Afternoon

Feb 19 - a little more like winter, cloudy cool - 60s for today. We took a 4 day get away last weekend. The most active feeders ran dry after a couple days and quite a few hummers left for sweeter pastures. A week later, half or so have returned, over all activity is still down. but rising. It is harder than I imagined to have someone take over filling feeders, especially when you have a variety of types.

Another beautiful day in January, the hummers are out in force.

 A bit crowded, no collisions!

 Monkey Flowers (mimulus), hummers are often seen checking out the blooms.

 Where are the girls? Some male Anna's filling up and showing a bit of color.

Zoom Zoom!

We have a bit of inclement weather coming in for a day, then back to sunny weather for the birds.

I have about 15 one gallon jugs loaded with sugar ready and waiting. If the feeding pace keeps up, should last about a week. I keep meaning to move the time lapse camera closer to the feeders to see how that views. Next week, maybe.

Summer in January

It may be the weather - or just a few weeks later. The local population of hummers in the backyard has gone up lately. As of a month or so ago, feeder volume was around a gallon a day spread among the dozen or so feeders. That has gone up to 2-3 gallons per day now with very active dinner crowds around 5 PM. I was surprised yesterday and did not prepare soon enough for the photo op. Today I will expect a crowd and try to get better photos. Here are a couple -

Hoovering room only!

This is the favorite feeder tree.

Last dinner bell!

There are a couple locations around the yard with feeders that have been taken over by very territorial Anna's again. These smaller feeders will last for several days while the larger ones shown (obviously being shared!) will last a day or less.
I need to find a way to convey the sound in this corner of the yard when it is dinner time - a surprisingly loud low droning hum (imagine that, described as a hum!) fills the air.

At least for a while - the honey bees have moved on, the little bit of rain and cooler weather (until the last couple days and next few) may be keeping them closer to the hive and farther from the feeders.
OK, that was bad luck to say because today there are lots of bees back - I did say the weather has been super nice and warm though.