Wednesday, May 27, 2015

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


Thursday, January 8, 2015

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