A Kirtland's Warbler and Other Spring Birds

I love spring migration! To the surprise and delight of birders and nature photographers, a rare bird, the Kirtland's Warbler, visited Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Chicago for two days in May.

Below are a series of photographs taken during the 2015 spring season.

The brilliant blue plumage of a singing Indigo Bunting

A Hooded Warbler explores the ground for insects

A Golden-winged Warbler shows off its stunning markings

A handsome American Redstart feeds at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary

A golden beauty ~ Yellow Warbler

A striking Black-throated Green Warbler hunts among the spring foliage

Seeking sustenance ~ Prothonotary Warbler

A pretty Blue-winged Warbler looks for nourishment

A common spring sight ~ Palm Warbler

Searching for food amid the green leaves ~ Canada Warbler

A beautiful Magnolia Warbler feeds around the interior tree branches

A female Baltimore Oriole delights in blooming tree buds

Flitting from branch to branch ~ American Redstart (female)

On the hunt for a buggy snack ~ Wilson's Warbler

An endangered Kirtland's Warbler surprises us with his glorious presence

Warm Thoughts of Florida Birds

As frigid arctic air moves into the Midwest, I thought I would post some bird photographs taken during my March visit to Longboat Key, Florida. Thoughts of warmer climes, lush foliage and stunning birds certainly ease cabin fever on a day where wind chill readings of -30 degrees are expected here in Chicago. Brrr!

A handsome Barred Owl roosts quietly in the forest canopy

A hungry owlet calls out for its parents

A stunning Great Blue Heron shows off its impressive wingspan

Two Limpkins explore Celery Fields

A Great Egret in breeding plumage finery

Two curious Great Egret youngsters move about the nest

A striking figure amid the Spanish moss ~ White-eyed Vireo

Pretty in Pink ~ Roseate Spoonbill

A juvenile Little Blue Heron scratches an itch

The midnight blue feathers of an adult Little Blue Heron

Foraging amidst the Sarasota Bay mangroves ~ Yellow-crowned Night Heron

A colorful Green Heron perches above swamp waters

Searching for food ~ Glossy Ibis

Soaring above Celery Fields ~ Northern Harrier

Exhibiting courtship behavior ~ Double-crested Cormorants

A red-eyed Black-crowned Night Heron peeks out from behind the mangrove leaves

An American Alligator basks in the warm morning sun