Baltimore Oriole: "Marsh Bath"

Rinse, lather, repeat?

(Baltimore Oriole - photo by Neil Barker - May 5, 2024)

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A sunny Spring day, a flash of black and orange darts away.

You pause in awe, hoping to learn more, what is it you just saw?

A small miracle of Nature has crossed your path once again.

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I took these photos on May 4, 2024. I still cannot get over how striking that orange and black colour is on the male Baltimore Oriole. Nature truly is an artist.

Usually, I hear Baltimore Orioles before I see them. I like that flute-like cheery call the males make from treetops.

On this occasion, I was walking along the path and caught a flash of bright orange in the tree nearby. I froze and waited.

After a few seconds, this oriole flew about 20 yards from the tree to the shallow part of a marsh. I watched them have a quick bird bath in the water.

The oriole then flew back into the tree and began preening and drying off.

Next, the oriole returned to the marsh bath for a few more splashes before returning to the same tree. They must have missed a spot.

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