Autumn Birds

Below are a series of bird photographs taken during the 2012 autumn season.

A Magnolia Warbler looks stunning amid the green leaves

Searching for food ~ Chestnut-sided Warbler

A lovely Yellow-rumped Warbler perches at the tip of a branch

A slow-moving Yellow-billed Cuckoo sits atop a tree limb ~ A life bird for me!

Peeking out from behind a tree ~ Cooper's Hawk

A busy Northern Waterthrush searches for insects amongst the fallen leaves

 Black-capped and so very beautiful ~ Wilson's Warbler

A pretty Northern Parula looks for nourishment

A flying jewel ~ Ruby-throated Hummingbird ~ If you look closely you can see the very tiny tongue protruding from the tip of its bill

Seeking sustenance ~ Black-throated Green Warbler

On the hunt for delectable ants ~ Northern Flicker

I was especially surprised and delighted to spot this gorgeous Blue-winged Warbler on October 16th

One of two Black-billed Cuckoo seen at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary this fall ~ Another life bird!

Pretty Spring Birds

It's been a busy spring! Unfortunately, I have had little time to venture out for bird viewing. During my few excursions, I was able to catch sight of many common spring visitors. This post features several beautiful birds recently seen in the city of Chicago and at our Indiana country property.

A resplendent male Wood Duck enjoys a dip in North Pond

 ~ The peach orchard fence makes for a perfect insect hunting perch for this male Eastern Bluebird  ~
I'm thrilled to report that this bluebird and his mate currently have eggs in one of our property nest boxes

~ A handsome Brown Thrasher forages amid the ground  cover ~ 
I most often hear these birds rustling through fallen crunchy leaves before I am able to spot them. On this day, I was lucky to see at least twelve Brown Thrashers.

Flushed from the grass, a stunning Le Conte's Sparrow sits atop a fallen tree limb ~ A life bird for me!

Beauty among the wildflowers ~ Hermit Thrush

Quite the leggy catch for this lovely Dark-eyed Junco

~ This House Finch pair was especially vocal up in the trees before they stopped by for a sunflower snack ~ 
The cheerful twittering song of these birds is quite pleasing to the ears

A friendly Black-capped Chickadees sits upon a perch above one of our bird baths

A hungry Fox Sparrow feeds in the grass

~ A radiant redhead ~ Red-bellied Woodpecker  ~
Their noisy vocalizations are often heard on our beautiful Indiana property

~ One of many female Northern Cardinals seen on my birding excursion ~ 
The Northern Cardinal is the most popular state bird. Seven states have adopted this bird, Illinois and Indiana are included

~  A Northern Flicker seeks tasty tidbits in the grass ~ 
Ants and beetles are the insects of choice for this bird

Migration Magic ~ Part 2

This post is part 2 of a series featuring beautiful birds observed during the month of May. Most of these lovely feathered friends are just passing through on their migration north. Though the weather this spring has been quite volatile, stormy and chilly, I did manage to spend a few glorious days at my favorite birding spots in the city.

I wanted to get this colorful post out earlier but wedding plans took priority. I am now officially a married woman filled with great joy. I hope to post blogs more often now that the wedding planning is over.

A glimpse of a handsome Canada Warbler

The brilliant feathers of a stunning Scarlet Tanager

I love the curious look on this pretty Nashville Warbler

A busy Ruby-crowned Kinglet seeks sustenance in a leafy bush

A beautiful Black-throated Green Warbler feeding around the interior tree branches

Common Yellowthroats were a frequent and welcome sight for me this spring

A striking female Baltimore Oriole delights in the blooming tree buds

A splendid sight ~ Magnolia Warbler

A lovely Pine Warbler feeds at North Pond

Seeking tasty snacks ~ Wilson's Warbler

This Virginia Rail was so very secretive ~ I was thrilled to catch a brief sight of this beauty

Migration Magic ~ Part 1

The spring season is one of my favorite times of the year. Along with milder temperatures, the greening of foliage and flowering trees, bird migration occurs. Colorful, active birds make regular stops throughout the Midwest seeking nourishment and rest before continuing on their long trek north. Below I feature several of the beautiful birds I have observed over the recent weeks.

A stunning Prairie Warbler uses a prickly branch to assist while foraging for insects

Singing a delightful melody ~ Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)

Posing pretty ~ Warbling Vireo

In the springtime, beautiful Yellow Warblers fill the marsh at the back of our country property

 

A Blackburnian Warbler shows off his brilliant breeding plumage

A sightly Northern Waterthrush looks over the reflective pond

The pond I visited was teeming with sightly Palm Warblers flicking their feathery tails

Peek-a-boo! A Prothonotary Warbler seeks food under a fallen tree limb ~ A life bird for me!

Foraging amongst the budding tree branches ~ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

The lovely colors of a Chestnut-sided Warbler

A Sora balances upon a branch ~ Take note of the extra long toes!

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