Baltimore Oriole by Roger Tory Peterson circa 1981
So…How Was Your Trip?
In the 3rd week of September
I begin to watch the skies.
Every day I search for you
all of you…
You are in my mind, my heart
and my imagination .
Your GPS. and your Waze
are programmed
to land on my windowsill,
at the room in the back.
Your children already know
the way thanks to the uncanny
gift of genetic programming.
You see in your mind, all those
bananas, those luscious pieces
of papaya, a true tropical buffet.
Just 100 miles more and you can
rest and gorge, recuperate from your
3000 sometimes 4000 mile trip.
Then on the last day of September;
there you are,
sitting in my mango tree
like you were born there.
You jump down and perch
on my windowsill…as if 6 months
has not gone by, since you were last here,
as if you never left.
Your bright orange belly,
those stylish black and white wings….
Ahh my dear Baltimore Oriole,,,,
how I wish we could talk.
I’d sit in a chair on the other side of the screen
and ask you..
“So tell me…..
how was your trip?”
Karima Hoisan
October 26, 2025
Costa Rica
*Footnote: We are in the first weeks of receiving
migratory birds coming from North America and
even Canada!! One tiny species, Tennessee Warblers (that I
affectionately called Tushties) come all the way
from Canada…WOW!! It takes them 2 months to get here.
Ohhh the stories they could tell!! If the world starts to get to you.. stop and think about the true Miracle of bird migration!!
Digital Rabbit Hole 
Oh, they are so lovely! ❤️ And such a noisy bunch too 😊
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Yes & Yes!! Joey….it’s an exciting time in the bird world… We go through an entire bunch of bananas daily (about 60…every single day in this time:) but how much is it worth to see your prodigal sons and daughters, who left in March of 2024… landing again on ‘their spot” and bringing the kids too?? Priceless!
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So true!
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Oh what a beautiful poem and gift of the “Tushties”, Karima! It’s such a miracle that they find their way. Such a lovely tribute. Enjoy your time with them my friend! ❣️
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Oh I do Cindy.. I am hypnotized by them…my desk faces this gigantic window and there they are, the best flatscreen streaming program around!!
This is my favorite time in the Bird Year:):)
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Oh thats the best to have little birdies to cvisit you love and don’t have to feed! What a joy, enjoy them!
💓
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Haha I don’t have to feed them…but I spoil them rotten…because that’s how I am….but you’re right..I’m behind bars and they are Free!! The only way to have birds and cats a few inches away from each other:):)
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Oh that’s just lovely! They must love you!! 😘
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Awww I think they really do:) 💕
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🩷🩷🩷
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I love how this feels like a reunion with an old friend, Karima — “as if you never left” really touches me 💛
Much love,
David
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Love to you too David! Yes, that’s how it feels to me.. I cry, I snap picture after picture, I get as excited as I would if my son or daughter just came home for the holidays.. When you think about it….it’s such a miracle that we all can witness if we just pay attention:):) Ahh and very good for healing the soul!!
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That’s so touching, Karima 🌿 your joy really comes through — I can almost see you there, camera in hand, welcoming them home with tears and wonder. It really does sound soul-healing!
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Ohh it really is…just another aspect of Nature that is very good for us humans to reconnect to:)
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Wonderful words connecting us to Mother Nature’s beauty!
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Thanks so much Linda… you have lived in Costa Rica so you know how exciting their return is every year!! Yes Mother Nature the great teacher and healer!!!
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Aww Karima 💛
This is so lovely !
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Thank you Maggie…so happy you enjoyed my post. I’m a very unofficial birder, but
I sure do love and admire them all:) 🤗💕🙏
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It is always a pleasure my friend ❤️🤗
They are amazing xo
Have a wonderful week Karima 🙏
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You too! I hope you have a lovely week 💕
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Thank you Karima 💕
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What a lovely and apt poem! And yay for the orioles and the little Tushties! 🙂 Think how many Tushty-lengths they’ve flown to get to your hostel…
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Thanks Dale…loved your comment…and yes I do think about how many Tushtie-lengths from here to Texas.!!.
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When I was a small child in Indiana, I used to love the Baltimore Orioles! I had no idea they would end up in Costa Rica!
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Haha…who knew? but they make down once a year, those gorgeous snowbirds and stay with us about 6 months. Always such a joy to welcome them!
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It’s indeed a miracle. Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure:)
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😍😍😍
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