The sky this morning had a very slight haze that only slightly mitigated the strong sunshine. We began our walk at 6:30 in a calm 56 degree temperature under a cloudless (boring) sky.
I guess the featured bird for today’s walk has to be the Bullock’s Oriole. I located two active nests and got some decent shots of the attending adults. I have been seeing these nests for years without realizing the brand of bird responsible. They are intricately woven sacks the hang from the branches of deciduous trees in the groves along the Arkansas River. I decided to take a photo of one so I could do some Internet research to identify the builder. I was focusing up the shot when one of the adults flew out of the nest. Research complete! The photo gallery below shows the nest and an adult Oriole attending a different nest.
Another thing that I have been curious about this year is the seeming lack of wildflowers blooming this Spring. I’m not sure what is going on but there is a noticeable lack of flora around the park. I did come upon some Showy Milkweed starting to bloom so I snapped a picture. Showy Milkweed is today’s featured image.
Sightings:
Birds: Starlings, Robin, Swallows, Barn Swallow, Osprey, Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese, Mourning Doves, Wren, Cormorant, Bullock’s Oriole, Turkey
Critters: Mule Deer
Gear: Nikon D5100, 55-200mm, 55-300mm
Bullock’s Oriole tending his nest at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado 
Bullock’s Oriole Nest at Lake Pueblo State Park, Colorado