About the Baltimore Oriole Drawing
Baltimore Orioles have been familiar birds throughout much of my life, but seeing one is always a treat. The sudden appearance of a male’s brilliant orange-and-black plumage among the leaves can seem like a flash of tropical color moving through an eastern woodland.
Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) are migratory songbirds that breed across much of eastern and central North America before traveling south to winter primarily in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. They are often found in open woodlands, riverside groves, parks, and neighborhoods with mature deciduous trees. They forage among leaves and branches for insects, particularly caterpillars, but also feed on fruit and nectar.
Their nests are among the most distinctive structures made by North American birds. The female weaves plant fibers, bark, grasses, and other flexible materials into a deep hanging pouch suspended near the end of a branch. Although Baltimore Orioles remain widespread and are currently considered a species of low conservation concern, surveys indicate that their populations have declined in recent decades.
In Flash of Orange, I portrayed a mated pair among green leaves and clusters of red berries. The male reaches toward the fruit, his vivid orange-and-black plumage dominating the upper portion of the drawing, while the female’s softer golden coloration provides contrast below. I wanted the surrounding leaves and berries to frame the birds without competing with the extraordinary color that makes an encounter with this species so memorable.
Flash of Orange is a colored pencil wildlife drawing of Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) by Michael E. Dorcas for Tantilla Art.