“I made a circle with a smile for a mouth on yellow paper, because it was sunny and bright.” Harvey Ball
Bullock’s Oriole and American Goldfinch
Bullock’s oriole. This one was all puffed up on a cold morning. — Photo by Pat Bean
There are two birds I have seen almost every day since I arrived in Southern Idaho, a Bullock’s oriole and an American goldfinch.
The oriole hangs out in an untrimmed area of the manicured park located to the rear of my RV site. Its landscape is dotted with Russian olive trees, sagebrush, a few small cottonwood trees and tall grasses.
In the cool of the evening, when I sit outside with my binoculars in hand, I almost always see an oriole, or two or three, flit about in the foliage, lighting up whichever branch or twig they land on like a Christmas ornament. I often point it out to campers who stop by. Oohs and ahs are the usual reactions.
American goldfinch: Hanging out on a willow tree next to the lake. — Photo by Pat Ban
Competing with the oriole for the golden-yellow award is the American goldfinch. Last year they hung out at the finch feeder bag I put out near my RV, but since I haven’t put that out this year, I usually see them flitting among the shoreline trees near the park’s Upper Lakeview campground.
It’s common, however, for me to spot these two birds just about anywhere in the park. I never tire of seeing them.
Bean’s Pat:: Daily Diversion http://onetrackmuse.com/ One big, odd pig. What’s up in your neighborhood. Blog pick of the day from this wondering wanderer.
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The brightest bird I have seen is a European Bee-catcher. Bright yellow and flashes of turquoise, flying low over the river as it hunts. And they live in holes in the bank of the river. Mobs tazzing about. Great to see them each year.
Jim
I’ve only seem pictures of bee-catchers. They look like magnificent birds. Glad you’ve seen one. I will — someday.