Orange to Oranges

Doses of oranges and orange continued:

As I walk along the nature trails at Falcon State Park, I start to notice the smaller orange things, like flowers and butterflies:

A flax family flower (species unknown),

a globemallow flower (Mallow family, species unknown) with an orange butterfly (Sulfur family, species unknown),

a Golden-fronted Woodpecker with a golden hair-do (species known, after all, I am a birder),

a Red Admiral, but orange in this light (species known, sometimes I am lucky),

a Calico Bush or Texas Lantana (species known, sometimes google helps) with small brown and white butterfly (species unknown),

and another dose of orange from the Altamira Oriole eating a grapefruit (red, not orange).

I have started squeezing and drinking my second 10 lb bag of oranges. I just can't get enough doses of orange or oranges.

Oranges and Orange

I started birding and sight-seeing in south Texas. I see my first roadside citrus stand (ORANGES for sale!) outside Laredo and stop for a 10lb bag of oranges. A daily dose of 2 fresh squeezed oranges (tree ripened orange color not dyed) is one reason why I go south to Texas.

As I move south along the Rio Grande valley, I am amazed at the blooming shrub with light orange-yellow flower stems and learn that this is Black brush or Catclaw, an acacia shrub.

It's everywhere, in full bloom, at Falcon State Park.

The first evening at the park I see an Altamira Oriole at another camper's site. So, I sacrifice one of my precious oranges to attract the oriole to my campsite. (sacrifice = fortfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value.)

I was rewarded with visits.

An Altamira Oriole found my orange in the early morning gray mist.

The Altamira Oriole came back in the late afternoon sunlight and he (yes, this is a male) is so orange.

Also a visit by a pair of Hooded Orioles. The male (no photo, sorry) was even a deeper orange color than the Altamira male.

A flock of Cedar Waxwings look orange late in the setting sun. I am glad Texas offers many kinds of doses of orange.