Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Spring Visitors

With our June wedding just around the corner, I have had little time to visit my favorite bird/wildlife sanctuaries this spring. Fortunately, last week, I was able to squeeze in a couple of birding adventures. The weather was not especially spring-like with temperatures in the teeth chattering 40's. The birds didn't seem to mind the chilly temps and gusty winds along Lake Michigan, as I saw most all of the regular spring visitors.  Below are many beautiful feathered friends often seen in Chicago during March and April.

A striking Blue-winged Teal dabbles in the calm, cool pond


A beautiful Fox Sparrow rests atop a fallen tree limb


A Yellow-rumped Warbler sports spring breeding feather finery


A colorful Horned-Grebe surfaces after diving in the teal blue harbor waters


A well-camouflaged Brown Creepers spirals up the tree


A handsome Northern Flicker scans the nature preserve


A Northern Rough-winged Swallow rests momentarily from its swooping, fluttery flight


A red-eyed American Coot pauses after dipping underwater for a repast of aquatic plants


A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drills shallow tree holes to access sticky sap (note the many small round holes bored into the bark of this tree)


A Hermit Thrush hunts for insects amongst grass and fallen leaves


Sitting pretty on the fence ~ American Robin


The misplaced Cinnamon Teal is still enjoying the surroundings at North Pond

at

53 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlApril 19, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    all of those are spectacular shots! thank you for taking time to share them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. KyleApril 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Beautiful shots, Julie! I'm especially jealous of that grebe. Fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownApril 19, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    Superb pictures! And informative!

    ReplyDelete
  4. PoetessWugApril 19, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Once again, all of the photos are just fabulous! And as usual, I have a favorite. :-) This time it's the ellow-bellied Sap sucker. He's busy, likes wood, and takes a pretty picture. A birdie after my own heart! :-) By the way, I didn't know you were getting married?!! WHEN?!!!! :-]

    ReplyDelete
  5. BirdGalAlcatrazApril 19, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Julie, these are stunning images! I especially love that amazing grebe shot and I'm totally jealous that you managed to capture a Brown Creeper. I seldom see them and by the time I do and grab my camera, the bird has climbed high and moved on. You're such a fantastic photographer ... thanks for sharing these lovely images!

    ReplyDelete
  6. de schoonheid van de natuurApril 19, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Hoi Jullie
    in een woord geweldig al die vogels.
    ik heb er van genoten erg mooi.
    groetjes Herman,

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownApril 19, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Wow! Delightful series of wonderful photos of wonderful birds!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Falconer's WifeApril 19, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Incredible photos!

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownApril 19, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Wonderful shots and a great post.

    ReplyDelete
  10. RVDaalenApril 19, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Really great captures, wonderful bird pics very sharp colorful.

    Well done!!!

    Greetz from Holland,

    Remco

    ReplyDelete
  11. TammyApril 19, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    So many wonderful captures! It certainly doesn't look as though the weather is bothering them at all.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownApril 19, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Impressive and beautiful bird photography. I wish I had the skill and equipment for such photography. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dawn FineApril 19, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Awesome! Beautiful! Happy Wedding!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownApril 19, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    Wonderful post and photos! The Horned Grebe is really wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  15. shellyApril 20, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    I love the way you caption your photos. It's hard to pick a favorite photo. All of them are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Debbie Miller @HooootOwlApril 20, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Such beautiful captures as always! Hope to see a horned grebe soon they are so unique looking. The cinnamon teal is still there. Paul and I will have to take a trip into Chicago soon!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cynthia WhiteApril 20, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Lovely & unique pics Julie- always look very forward to your posts:)

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownApril 20, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    All are fabulous shots but I especially love the one of the robin. It looks like a painting! I love the brown creeper, too! Wonderful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. JRandSueApril 20, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Stunning Birds,superb photography.
    John.

    ReplyDelete
  20. DebbieApril 20, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    i was so excited to see an update from you, spectacular photo's. i am buying a new camera and wondered if you would share what camera/lens you use. i have great opportunities, but need a much better camera to achieve the clarity you get. my email address is stangs6@hotmail.com, if you have any suggestions. thanks....debbie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jen SanfordApril 20, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    So many beautiful shots, I can't even pick a favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  22. John's IslandApril 20, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Hi Julie, Another set of wonderful photos. I truly admire your birding photography. When I was looking at your shot of the American Robin I was thinking that you surely will be getting phone calls from the publishers of the birding guide books to use that one. I mean, it is just perfect. And, on a completely different subject: best wishes on the wedding! John

    ReplyDelete
  23. forgetmenotApril 21, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Julie, What fabulous shots of such a great variety of birds--you take lovely photos!!!! And, what a wonderful way to spend a day communing with nature. Best wishes for the wedding-June will be here soon. Mickie :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownApril 21, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    These are great Julie thanks for sharing. Nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousApril 21, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Julie,

    It has been a while since I looked in, I like what I see. The flicker shot is out of this world my friend. We are looking forward to seeing you in June.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousApril 21, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    What a spectacular post Julie!! I love the way you frame your shots. I love them all but the robin on the fence is my absolute FAV!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Liane PinelApril 21, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Wow! Simply beautiful! Nuff said:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Robert StalnakerApril 22, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Very nice, Julie. It's not easy capturing a good image of a warbler, is it. I can barely get my binoculars on them in time and with my 400mm lens, I am usually looking at a tree limb--bye bye bird! Look forward to more of your wildlife images.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Steve CreekApril 22, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    I always enjoy your great photos! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  30. KathyApril 22, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    These are wonderful pictures - the birds are fantastic. I remember when we lived in Columbus, OH that they had a fantastic sanctuary where we could observe the amazing wildlife there. I loved taking my children there when they were young. To this day they call me when they see some fantastic sight!
    Hope you have a great weekend,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  31. Roxanne EvansApril 22, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Beautiful well composed images. Such wonderful detail-especially in those fast moving little guys.

    ReplyDelete
  32. SLHApril 22, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Stunning series, as always! Love the yellow-rumped Warbler!

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousApril 24, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    Another great series of wonderful bird photography!

    ReplyDelete
  34. LindaApril 26, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I love these Julie, excellent work! It is amazing how the sapsucker drills all of those holes without electricity...LOL The sap must be sweet to them....I love the texture in the bark on that and your composition..It is beautiful. I have never seen a brown creepers, so lovely a bird ..wonderful contrast on all... Thanks for your kind and inspiring comments and following me on twitter too...Happy Easter and also have fun with your wedding plans..warm regards, Linda :))

    ReplyDelete
  35. Weekend CowgirlApril 26, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Amazing photos. I really enjoyed all the birds!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Pat UlrichApril 27, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    So many awesome shots in this post! that eared grebe is stunning, and I always love to see creepers!

    ReplyDelete
  37. FABApril 28, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Hi Julie. I couldn't pick a favourite as each photo is spectacular. Such clear detail in every shot.
    I do hope the wedding plans are progressing satisfactorily.

    BTW can you remind me what set up you are using and do you use a tripod? Cheers Frank.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Julie G.April 29, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Warm gratitude to all for the wonderful comments left on my blog. Your kind words mean so very much to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
    Frank, For these photos I used a Canon EOS 7D Camera coupled with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS Telephoto Lens. Currently I do not use a tripod. I recently acquired one as a gift and I'm excited to give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  39. JannApril 29, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I've just found your Blog; fantastic! Makes me want to cry (again) over not having a 400 mm lens! Some day...such beautiful shots Julie, love your Blog.

    ReplyDelete
  40. cindyzlogicApril 29, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Julie, your photos are outstanding!!! Glad you had time to get out and capture them! Preparing for a wedding...huh?...don't get stressed ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Larry OstbyMay 1, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Your spring guests are beautiful! Thanks for sharing them.

    ReplyDelete
  42. AleRMay 1, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  43. CarolineMay 1, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Found your blog via Jann's. What beautiful photos.
    The grebe looks possessed, I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousMay 3, 2011 at 4:06 AM

    A great cache of birds for spring day's walk. Such variety, especially the grebe! Magnificent bird and totally new to me.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Patricia/TriskettaMay 3, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Julie: What extraordinary captures of our wonderful nature. Bravo!!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Marco LuijkenMay 4, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Hello Julie,
    Very nice pictures of these different birds. They've got beautiful colors and you have them nicely photographed in their natural environment.

    Greetings, Marco

    ReplyDelete
  47. BenMay 5, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Hi Julie,
    Wondreful bird pics,sharpnes and color are great. Well done!!
    Thanks for sharing them with us.

    Greetz,
    Ben

    ReplyDelete
  48. Larry OstbyMay 7, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Absolutely beautiful photos. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousMay 9, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    Julie, love visiting your blog and am always thrilled to view your images. What talent you have! Wonderful photos:)

    ReplyDelete
  50. Alexander RozinovMay 11, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    Great shot!!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Bengts fotobloggMay 11, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Wonderful birds brilliant colors.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Kathie BrownMay 31, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    You have seen some of my favortie birds in this post! Love the brown creeper and the flicker! Too much fun!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. ArtJuly 29, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    You are a very good photographer, you have so many great pictures!

    ReplyDelete