Saturday, December 15, 2018

Saturday Critters ~ 261 ~

I have a hawk in the back yard and all of my little song birds have taken cover.
I also have a big pile of feathers on the grass...
one poor little birdie did not hide in time.

So I thought I would share a special memory today from the winter of 2014.
The winter when I hosted a Baltimore Oriole in my back yard.
According to my new bird book, 
the Baltimore Oriole is only present in New Jersey in the summer.
I have never seen one in this area or at my feeders until "she" appeared.

I first saw her in late January of 2014 and I wrote my first post about her here.

I was thrilled she hung around and I wrote about her again on February 13, 2014.

She stayed and became part of the family and I wrote about her again here.
I always made sure she had plenty of food and water.

It was fun to watch her defending the jelly I had put out just for her.
She preferred jelly over oranges.

The last time I saw her was on April 28th, I wrote about that last visit here.

Every day that winter I looked for her and every day she came,
I'm glad I didn't know on April 28th I would never see her again!

Sharing todays story with

25 comments:

italiafinlandia said...

What a fantastic little bird! Thanks for sharing your memories...

David M. Gascoigne, said...

An amazing winter visitor to be sure. Thanks for taking such good care of it.

Brian King said...

She's a beauty! Funny how birds will show up at certain times of the year when they "aren't" supposed to be there. Not all birdies are vegetarians. :-)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Debbie! Your Oriole is beautiful. I hope she is safe and living happily somewhere. I am sure she appreciated having her own jelly to eat. I have heard of the Orioles showing up in Maryland during the winter months, usually along the coast. I enjoy your Oriole and the lovely photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Changes in the wind said...

What a beautiful bird and am sure she loved to come to your house:)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How colorful! It sure is fun to spot an unusual bird and don't give up....she might come back again! Holiday hugs!

Louca por porcelana said...

She is a cutie!Hugs!

Anu said...

Hello. It is beautiful bird. You were so lucky that the bird lived in your back yard. Lovely post. Thank you.

21 Wits said...

Oh no, those darn hawks, that's why I keep my smallest 7 pound dog Dash on a leash and never let either of my dogs out without being with them. Cute photos.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

♥ ♥ ♥

Sally said...

You are such a wonderful bird whisperer, Debbie. I love that about you. :)

xoxo

Adam Jones said...

It’s a stunning looking bird! Lovely series of pictures.

Farm Girl said...

I remember her that year. It was always exciting to see her. Isn't it funny we get attached to our birds? I know I always welcome the flickers around October. Last year they were late and there was only one. This year there are five. I am so glad you got such pretty pictures of her. They are just gorgeous.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Now that is a special memory indeed.

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my she is quite the beauty, so great you were able to get a few good pictures of her, that is a bummer that she hasn't come back. I am so thrilled that our woodpeckers have come back, they are so fun to watch.

BeachGypsy said...

That little bird is a beauty for sure! my favorite picture of her is the second one. Beautiful colors. I missed your post yesterday too---just so busy! Enjoyed seeing the Concert band pictures and i just know that must've been a very very good concert!Hope you are having a real nice weekend!

Karen Lakis said...

She's a beauty - and what a wonderful memory! I'm kind of hoping that she caught up with her "family". It seems as though she may have been lost.

Oh gee - a hawk! They're so magnificent in their own way, but I hope your poor little song birds take care!

Judy said...

We only have them in the Spring--arriving around May 15th.
I wish there was some way you could scare the Hawk away.

LeAnn said...

Oh, this sweet bird is a beauty. I love the vibrant colors. I feel sad you haven’t seen her for a while. I’m sorry that the Hawk is causing struggles again.
I know how you love these birda and I really enjoy all your posts about them all. I have learned so much from you and I have loved all the fantastic photos you have taken of the different birds.
Sending loving thoughts, prayers for your birds and hugs for you!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I remember your Oriole and it was so fun reading about her again. She loved staying with you! I remember (in our previous life) when a kestrel hawk decided our trees provided a great perch where he could watch our feeders. I felt like I was aiding and abetting a criminal by luring his prey. But then “my” birds stayed away and he left . Your hawk will go somewhere else soon.

Marie Smith said...

I hope the hawk goes away for Christmas, Debbie.

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Hello Dear Debbie!
I wish you Christmas filled with magic, wonder and love.
Lucja

Jenny said...

She's gorgeous, Debbie! I saw her picture when I explored your Feathered Friends link, and I admired her then. Who knew Baltimore Orioles like jelly? I like jelly too, and I'd defend my jelly. And, Lord willing, I'm going on a trip to Baltimore in March. BTW you had mentioned this to me last week and you were right: we have a red-tailed hawk in the 'hood too. On Saturday my husband and me and a few of our kids were standing outside and we saw him touch down in the front yard. We hear his cries all the time. I'm still hopeful the birds will chance visiting my window feeder. xoxo

Terra said...

What a bright spot of sunshine she was; I hope she found a mate and raised some babies. How good of you to put out jelly for her.

Lowcarb team member said...

What a beautiful little bird, such a shame she has not come back …

All the best Jan