[EBB Sightings] Farewell, Hooded Orioles

Our small backyard garden (at the end of Refugio
Valley Road in Hercules)is especially quiet today. The
last members of "our" Hooded Orioles paid farewell
visits to the sugar water feeder this week and
then---gone. This year we counted two richly-colored
adult males, three very busy adult females and,
eventually, three fledglings --all visiting our sugar
water feeder. Occasionally we noticed a couple
teen-aged males hanging around as well. This year the
first adult female and male arrived in our yard the
week of April 1st. Next  thing we knew--two adult
males were vying for feeder rights while three adult
females, in the tree limbs above, awaited their turns.
In June we noted one adult female with two noisy
fledglings, followed by a second adult female with one
loudly begging fledgling. Once we watched two begging
fledglings attempt to convince an adult male he should
share his sips at the feeder--haaahh! Fat chance! Not
exactly the model of a devoted father! We will miss
the daily chatters, whistles and clackerings of our
colorful and beloved spring/summer visitors. We wish
them all a safe journey south --and then--realize we
are already longing for their return.
Happy birding,
MaryLou Mull
Hercules