A commonly expressed comment in these parts is, "Only in Minnesota." It refers to how our climate pays little attention to the calendar. True to form, during the overnight and continuing through the morning hours, a blanket of snow covered the landscape on this first day of May. Although it brought our greenhouse construction and autumn leaf raking to a sudden halt, it was the most beautiful sight...and it came with a most unexpected surprise visit.
In the mid-morning, I nonchalantly began freeze-framing this moment in time by shooting a photo of our backyard, catching a corner of our 1890 RR passenger car and woodpile, just off the back porch. Walking alongside the RR car to the opposite end, I chose the view facing our pole building that is positioned next to our garden plot. Pay particular attention to the draping tree branches behind the snow-covered blue chair. Look closely in the left photo below and you will see a surprise visitor that dropped by seconds later.
Click on the photo for an enlarged view. Do you see? Remember my recent post regarding attracting orioles and how crucial it is to pay attention to the timing of their yearly arrival? Dick immediately sliced an orange to fit into a suet feeder that I retrieved from my bucket of bird supplies. After attaching an s-hook, he hung it on the branch where, moments ago, the oriole had briefly perched. Long enough to communicate to me, "I am here! I traveled far, but I am here!" And so are we. We will feed you oranges, grapes, and seeds. We will provide a water source and nest building material. We will welcome your young babies. You are home pretty bird. Esmeralda. That shall be your name.