A Brilliant Bird Visits

Oak Creek Ranch is home to many species of birds. Some are here all the time like robins that hop around in the pasture while I do the morning chores, woodpeckers, blue jays, doves and finches.  Others are here for a month or two, stopping on their way to other places.  These include Canada geese, ducks, yellow and white crowned sparrows, juncos, grosbeaks and towhees.  Then there are the rare visitors —  sometimes a sharp-shinned hawk will stalk the garden, or we hear an owl hooting at night.

Last year, I spotted a Bullock’s oriole in the cherry tree.  It must have been late June or early July, because he was hopping from branch to branch eating all my cherries.  I love cherries but I didn’t even care that he was eating all my fruit.  He was so dang gorgeous, I just wanted to watch him forever.

A few days ago, sitting on the front porch, I caught a flash of brilliant orange in the oak tree.  I watched an oriole hopped around amongst the oak branches before flying off.  I was sad to see him go.  But, this morning, while doing my breakfast dishes, I saw him on my garden fence.  I hope he sticks around for awhile.  Maybe he’s waiting for the cherries to get ripe.

I know its silly that a seeing a bird can make me so happy.  But there you have it.  Such beauty and brilliance make my heart sing.