Saw my first Robin today - SPRING IS HERE!

[ConcernedCanuk]

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It's a frosty cool day up here in Mattawa, Ontario

I was outside chopping wood when I heard a familiar bird, looked up,

and there was a robin redbreast chirping at me.

OH

Wee bit of trivia

Did you know there is a Mattawa in Washington, USA?

AND

it's on the same latitude . .

hmmm

wonder if they got robins there?

[lizziegrace]

1. The first birds of spring are hope for me

that the long winter *will* end and the sun will shine again.

Enjoy the new season!

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. Heard some new songbird today - and saw more robins

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Bird feeders are getting busier - my faithful chickadees are having to share more

and a HOUSEFLY landed on me

Spring has sprung

OH

and a butterfly landed on me yesterday - looked like a small Monarch, but I'm not sure if that's what it was

anyhoo - I'm enjoying the new season

[tjwash]

3. I'm still trying to figure out what this little guy is...

He just started hangin' in my honeysuckle bush. If he stay's, I may just name him "Fred"

[kfred]

4. Baltimiore Oriole?

We're supposed to have them in MN, though I haven't seen one. The coloring is what makes me think of it.

[tjwash]

5. I finally found it...it's a "Hooded Oriole" Thanks for the push in the right direction!

Now his buddies have joined him...there's about 20 of them now, that are hanging in the pine trees down my bank.

Spring is definitely here in Diego...I live in a birders paradise.

[Kolesar]

6. Orioles are loud

That's how you will know. That bird looks too yellowy

[fadedrose]

9. They get a deeper orange as they mature...

Orchard orioles have real deep orange breast, the Baltimore's have orange not quite so deep and a few more tiny white feathers on the side wings.

Females are almost yellow, don't have the "bib" or "beard" that the young males have.

This is the first year I have had NO FEMALE ORIOLES - usually by now the moms are feeding the babes and the males have for the most part taken off for greener acres - usually at least one male stays behind.

I attach a plastic measuring cup to a tree and fill it several times a day with jelly. Or use a feeder with the plastic sides knocked out and put jelly in the base in a jar lid.

Orioles have a beautiful voice - I never think of them as loud.

I hope the females come back next year. I think it must be the 100-mile tornado in Missouri in April that did them in. The males look forlorn.

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. Ah - San Diego

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I lived there for 14 months starting January 1979

Wonder how my life would have turned out if I had stayed there - - -

Be much warmer

THAT'S FOR SURE!

and them California girls . . .

:silly:

[tjwash]

8. I've moved out of here several times. I always end up coming back.

I've lived all around the US, and all around the world, and always find myself back here in Diego. I love it...this will always be home to me.