Unusual visitors

I was talking to my sister in Las Vegas on the phone this afternoon discussing, amongst other things, unusual birds who have visited our gardens this year. She just had a Hooded Oriole arrive at her house.


Suddenly, taking me completely by surprise, this little guy landed on my hummingbird feeder and proceeded to take a nice, long drink. I didn't dare get up to get my camera because I was afraid of scaring him away.



Even though these birds are in the same family, you can see how they differ in their coloring.

We have several hummingbird and seed feeders in front and in back of our house, positioned so we can watch the birds wherever we are. I find I am constantly filling my feeders because we have attracted so many lovely birds. We're also always on the lookout for unusual feeders and try to position them where our cats can't get at the birds.

Unfortunately, I have been "blessed" with some good hunters and have already been presented with several "gifts" from my kitties. I wish they wouldn't do this, but you can't take the wild hunter out of the domesticated animal if they are allowed to go outside when they want to.

Alleycat (14 years old) and Dolly (one year old) watching me
while I was working in front of our house

This is the way my kitties should be -- content to stay inside --
but I know that's not going to happen.