For the past few days, I have been seeing several warblers, vireos, wrens, and grosbeaks. But the most striking bird that I have seen in Monona and on the far west side and in the Preserve must be the Baltimore Oriole (
Icterus galbula). First a few high notes. Then a rhythmic whistle, varying in texture and melody, but always the same sweet tone. Finally, a fiery flash of orange between new leaves, and a short sight of this private bird, which seems especially wary of my watching it. Today I walked around Picnic Point for a long time watching several orioles, both male and female, darting from tree to tree in search of insects and nectar. I saw one female, with a much more mute orange color, with nesting material in beak, as well as several short chases between male and female. The contrast in experiences of one traveling to the point on a bleak, barren January afternoon versus today's greens and oranges and yellows and leaves and lake breezes is incredible to consider. Both are worth having, but watching these birds today was close to perfect.
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