Orchard Oriole at Col. Sam Smith Park: May 2020

I headed out to Col. Sam Smith Park at dawn on this day:

As they often are by the lake, midges were everywhere:

So were birdwatchers. Every year, around this time, flocks of Whimbrels fly past. I hoped to see them but, no luck. Here is a photo I took in the past of a Whimbrel:

Even at dawn, keen photographers were hopeful and ready.

While there were no Whimbrels, I was able to photograph many birds:

The Orchard Oriole is becoming more common in Southern Ontario. Previously, Point Peele was about as far north as they came. Even further south in their habitat of scrubby woods and hedgegrows with isolated tall trees especially near water, they are uncommon. Their diet consists of insects, larvae, fruit and nectar. I was fortunate to see (and hear) several on this day.

NATURE POETRY

Then came fair May, the fairest maid on ground,
Decked all with dainties of her season’s pride,
And throwing flowers out of her lap around:
Upon two brethrens’ shoulders she did ride,
The twins of Leda, which on either side
Supported her like to their sovereign Queen.        – Edmund Spenser (1522–99)

Miles Hearn