The Orioles are back!

Even though we really never had winter the orioles are just now back.  Of course they may have been around and I just didn't see them, but normally I hear them before I see them.  This beauty has been around for a week now, but so far I have not seen his mate.  He is enjoying the birdbath daily and getting himself all groomed for his mate's arrival, no doubt. 

More Birdwatching

I finally was able to get a couple of photos of the Oriole in the birdbath yesterday afternoon.

Our little House Wren nests each year. I love to hear their sweet songs.

Here are three birdhouses that the House Wren can choose from.

Normally the house above is the one they use, very small and often times they have 5 chicks! 

 I think this is the one they chose this year.

They're Back! The Male and Female Orioles Early Morning Bath and a Few Other Visitors to the Pool

Male Hooded Oriole

 This little guy had just finished taking an early morning dip in the birdbath.  I was inside by the kitchen window when I saw him bathing, but by the time I got the camera out he was already in the small apple tree, grooming and drying himself.  I also spotted a female while zooming in to get these photos.  As you know it can be difficult to photograph these birds as they are easily startled by humans with cameras!  Thank goodness my new camera has a good zoom lens.  I took these through the window (double pane) and also about 25 feet from the tree.  Yellow Hooded Oriole

Our Oleander hedge grows into this small apple tree, that's the pointed leaves you see in the bottom, right corner.

Female looking at me

Shy Female

I knew they were back a few weeks ago as I heard their familiar chatter in the trees.  This was the first time I saw both the male and female together.  I will cut some oranges and hook them on the tree for them to drink the nectar.  They love oranges!

The every present Mockingbird, keeping watch while the others bathe.

One of a pair of Morning Doves stopped by for a dip...

Warbler ???

A little ruffled after his bath and drying off in the Aloe arborescens (also known as candelabra aloe) plant.

Maybe not as rare, but always welcome in our yard, White-crowned Sparrow.

They enjoy the grass seed-heads; one good reason not to worry if the weeding gets done or not.

Going in for the seed.

The Herb Garden, Coffee, Chocolate and Waiting for the Orioles to Arrive

By mid morning I was ready to start work on the herb garden, but oh so many books to browse through!  First up was coffee with a piece of Trader Joe's Mocha Crunch Chocolate, which delayed my start for about an hour. 

Around 11:30 I was ready to begin. Newly purchased seeds and plants.  German Thyme, English Thyme, Variegated Sage and Purple Sage, more French Lavender and two new Chamomile plants. 

Already in the garden are Variegated Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Chives, Marjoram, Greek Oregano, Mexican Oregano, Catnip and Parsley.  On either side of the compost bags are two Rosemary plants; the one on the top right that you can barely see is about 25 years old. 

Nutmeg scented geranium in lower center front of photo. Nice to use in sugars and jellies.

Lots of yellow Iris for a border and a couple of climbing roses to the right in back of the bird bath.  I still need to find a nice arbor for these two plants, which will go across the pathway toward the house. 

English Lavender.  I have many Lavender plants in my gardens, Mexican, English and French.  All do very well here in So. California. 

Then...I heard a familiar chatter in the tree, hmmmm could it be...already

A moment taken to place tangerines on the Sweetgum tree (liquidambar styraciflua) for the arrival of the Orioles.  They will weave their pouches in this tree for nesting. 

I finished the plantings just in time. Here is a male popping out from the lavender and just about to leap up in the tree.  They're back!