August Recap from the Chicago Portage

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It’s time to seriously think about fall. The fall migration bird walks have begun, anticipating the birds gracefully bringing us into the autumnal season as they have in the past. August at the Chicago Portage has been quiet, the summer breeding birds having all but left and the migrants from the north starting to pass through. Here’s a little compilation of some birds I managed to see and photograph at the Chicago Portage with the smaller camera.

Starting with August 4, the Bird of the Month has to be an American Goldfinch. They have been everywhere.

On August 8, I got a rare view of a Muskrat.

Indigo Buntings were abundant, the adults were getting ready to leave.

On August 18, I encounted a White-tailed Deer doe and one of her fawns.

Eastern Wood-Pewees have been constant all summer. I will miss their sweet little songs cascading through the woods.

I’m always happy to see a butterfly. This is a Hackberry Emperor.

On August 20, I saw a juvenile Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher and a few Cedar Waxwings.

I found a juvenile Red-bellied Woodpecker.

Turkey Vultures were on the move.

I saw my first fall warblers that day, with a couple Blackburnian Warblers easiest to photograph.

On August 22, right by the little bridge near Harlem Avenue, I was joined by a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird who was enjoying a patch of Jewelweed.

On August 23, I saw a Black-and-White Warbler and a Blackburnian Warbler.

A Northern Flicker was checking the “flicker” tree, perhaps to see if anyone was left behind.

I saw Eastern Wood-Pewees again.

On August 25, I saw a juvenile Indigo Bunting.

And again on August 27, another late Indigo Bunting.

I took note of a Pearl Crescent butterfly.

Northern Flickers will continue to be quite visible throughout the fall.

And just when I had given up on seeing any more birds, this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk flew right overhead and I complied. I have found the Sony RX10 to be great at focusing on birds in flight against a clear background. I am glad I finally got some good use out of this camera. I may have to learn how to use my Canon set up all over again…

So Near and Yet So Far

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I spent the last week in total embarrassment. I wasn’t paying close enough attention to the rare bird alerts until I realized that a Swallow-tailed Kite had been seen along the Des Plaines River in the very same places I frequent, and I was too busy getting back to swimming in my favorite pool. The bird even stuck around for four days. Latecomer that I was to this exciting event, probably nearly missing seeing it at least once – by what? an hour?? – I nonetheless enjoyed three quick visits to Ottawa Trail, albeit in cloudy conditions as we endured a very rainy period those days.

For further mortification, one morning while I was in Riverside by the Des Plaines River, the Kite was merrily flying around Mount Auburn cemetery, roughly a stone’s throw from the Chicago Portage, and of course I didn’t know about it until that night. So just for fun since the rainy forecast seemed to be in abeyance, I decided to visit Mount Auburn and then the Portage the next morning, only to be caught in a downpour which continued as I wrote this paragraph in my car. I should accept my fate and be grateful that I have traveled enough in years past to have seen this species. Perhaps it’s too late in life for me to suddenly start chasing birds.

Here’s a little roundup of other birds I saw while visiting all the places the Kite had left. Starting with Ottawa Trail on August 10, a fly-by Common Grackle and a Red-tailed Hawk.

On August 11, two Downy Woodpeckers, a Mourning Dove, an Osprey and a Great Blue Heron…

Later the same day at Ottawa Trail, a Baltimore Oriole and Blue Jay in downward spiraling flight, and a pensive Red-tailed Hawk.

Other species at Ottawa Trail: Black Swallowtail, Monarch, and Common Buckeye butterflies.

Moving on to Mount Auburn Cemetery, a couple American Kestrels kept me entertained.

Fall migration is starting, and I think I am over the Kite. I have seen a few individual warblers and I hope to be back a lot sooner with more recent discoveries. I have also been distracted by the sudden nonexistence of staples I have taken for granted (sardines and 12×14″ newsprint to line my birdcage trays, if you were curious), which should not be surprising given the current State of Flux.

Here’s a Blackburnian Warbler I saw four days ago at the Portage. I’ll be back.

Hanging Out at McGinnis Slough

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Imagining that it was still really quiet in this midsummer breeding season almost anywhere, I was drawn to visit McGinnis Slough the last two Sunday mornings. Farther than the two places I frequent normally, but not so far away that I had to get up any earlier, I drove to the slough first on July 25. The first bird I saw well enough to photograph was a slightly frazzled-looking House Finch. Soon afterward, I was delighted to see the young Pied-billed Grebe at the top of the post.

I then saw a Green Heron, but it was hard to separate from the reeds.

One Wood Duck was fairly close.

And I got a couple views of a Killdeer.

I could not ignore the Swamp Rose Mallow.

I also had a most obliging Blue Dasher Dragonfly.

A Great Blue Heron flew to a tree.

And an Osprey flew overhead.

But maybe most interesting of all was seeing a Mallard hen watching over her one late duckling.

On August 2, a week later, even fewer birds were available for photographs, but sometimes less is more. I just managed to watch these Wood Ducks vanish from my vantage point soon after I arrived.

And then came the big surprise. Two adult Trumpeter Swans arrived not too far from the trail with their two juveniles. We had just received a lot of rain, which filled the slough with enough water for the swans to visit the parts they don’t normally frequent. I’ve had this happen before, and it’s just wonderful to see these birds closer.

I again had a very cooperative Blue Dasher Dragonfly.

And this tiny butterfly I believe to be a Hobomok Skipper.

That’s it for now. I can appreciate the slow season for what it is.

Flights of Fancy at the Chicago Portage

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I’ve been getting more and more used to handling the smaller camera, and it’s been a good time to do so with the slower, quieter breeding season. Compared to the Canon camera and lens, the Sony images feel crisp and flat, but I sometimes think it’s the Sony and not me getting better focusing on a bird in flight, maybe easier than getting it to focus on a bird sitting still.

Having said that, here’s a Red-winged Blackbird sitting still. Red-wingeds were ubiquitous in early July, but I strain to see or hear one lately.

Osprey seemed more prevalent earlier too.

Here’s a White-tailed Deer doe I saw behind foliage.

Indigo Buntings have been pretty consistent declaring their territories.

On July 4, somehow the camera focused on the bird and the twigs in front of it.

I saw a well-perched Indigo Bunting that day too.

Then, on July 7, I had a male Red-winged Blackbird in flight, and a female in the mulberry. As I mentioned earlier, I haven’t seen hardly any Red-winged Blackbirds the last week or two. I’m sure they’re still around, but just when it seems like you can ignore them, they vanish. I am sure we are about to see them in large mixed flocks of foraging blackbirds soon.

I was pleased to see an Eastern Comma butterfly. But only just one.

That day several Northern Flickers were hanging out around one well-used dead nesting tree.

A Chipmunk seemed curious.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows gave me several opportunities to track their flights.

The bird striking a reflective pose below is a female Brown-headed Cowbird. I can only imagine what is going through her mind as other species raise her offspring.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are quiet now and hardly discernible, but I found one that day.

And for a moment, I spotted a juvenile Warbling Vireo. As more and more juvenile birds emerge and start exploring their world, things will get more exciting for us humans observing them too.

Standing on the bridge near Harlem, I have often been able to spot a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched high on a bare branch overlooking the stream. This is a very tiny bird that is so far away I usually only grab a photo as a momentary record of my sighting, but I was impressed that the camera managed to pick up the color on his throat.

The Green Heron below is the same one at the top of the post.

Today it rained all morning and we are promised more precipitation this afternoon with a possibility of thunderstorms. So I have no good excuses to not at least try finishing this post. It’s also been a good day for doing laundry, eliminating some clutter, and I might cook something while it’s cooler in the kitchen and I consider where to go looking for birds tomorrow.

One Month Ago

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I’ve grown fond of going out lately with the little Sony camera as I become more used to what it will or won’t do. It’s now been a few days over a month since my carpal tunnel surgery. But I was still using the Canon body and lens last month and have a few photos from that time period to share. And since I have been stuck inside during a long-awaited thunderstorm, it seems like a good time to finish this post. Starting on June 15th, I saw Cliff Swallows by the bridge at Joliet Avenue.

Common Mergansers, albeit uncommon this time of year, were again in the river that morning.

A Great Blue Heron was looking for a meal, and then a Red-winged Blackbird demanded its departure.

I have seen so few butterflies this summer, I had to document this Hackberry Emperor.

Every once in a while I see enough parts a male Northern Cardinal.

Gray Catbirds were more vocal earlier in the season, more often heard than seen. So this was a nice encounter.

Then on June 19, I noticed this Common Grackle shining in the sunlight by the HofmannTower.

I also found this Barn Swallow taking a break for a photo.

What appeared to be juvenile Cliff Swallows were flying by the walls of the former Hofmann Dam.

Two common river occupants were still worth noticing: a Double-crested Cormorant and a Mallard.

Here are two more views of the Cedar Waxwing at the top of the post.

An Indigo Bunting appeared briefly to be behind bars.

A distant view from the swinging bridge revealed a pair of Common Mergansers and a Great Blue Heron.

I am always delighted to see the return of the Blue-fronted Dancer Damselfly.

Then, another pose from a Gray Catbird on that day.

After experiencing extremely dry conditions – I ran out of water in both rain barrels over a week ago – we have finally gotten some rain today. I was beginning to wonder where it could be coming from with all the hot and dry conditions to the west of us. The fronts have been threatening with severe thunderstorms since late morning. The birds and I have been lucky, but it’s been an afternoon of anticipation as to what will happen next. Earlier, the emergency broadcast system on the radio was not a test, but the real thing. The Zebra Finches always yell when they hear the test. And then later, the actual test was run, I guess just to make sure. We yelled again. A turned around day indeed.

Busy Birds Along The River

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So this is some of what I was going to post earlier. Last month, I was still able to see the breeding birds that visit our area getting busy. The Baltimore Oriole at the top of the post is from June 10. The photos below were from two days earlier. I was particularly intrigued by the female oriole finding what looks like the perfect ingredient to add to her nest construction. Suffice it to say that by now, the orioles have gone silent and disappeared from view. They must be busy rearing young.

Going back even earlier, on June 3, there were the Canada Goose families.

Also on the 3rd, I saw this buck crossing the river.

Great Blue Herons have been here and there, but I haven’t seen them too often lately. The one below is monitored by a Common Grackle.

A Barn Swallow will usually show up by the Joliet Avenue bridge, where they nest.

I noticed a Common Grackle looking interested in a turtle.

A Ring-billed Gull flew in and later flew out with something.

I normally refrain from photographing dead creatures, but this scene was so bizarre I couldn’t help myself. The raccoon was on the side of the trail in Riverside Lawn.

On June 8, I found a willing Cedar Waxwing.

On June 10, I also had this Barn Swallow taking a break to preen.

I’ll be back later with a few interesting encounters from June 15, but here’s a brief aside from June 22. I saw and was able to photograph and report a Canada Goose tagged 98H. I submitted my observation and got my Certificate of Appreciation back from the USGS almost immediately, I’m sure thanks to AI. She is a Large Canada Goose who was banded in Brookfield, Illinois on July 7, 2015 when she was still too young to fly. I haven’t seen her since, but I will be interested to see if she shows up again.

The last few days, it was impossible to be outside for very long with the wildfire smoke. I donned a mask while I was outside for just a few minutes. Whatever rain seemed possible, it skipped us and we are still warm and humid although the ground is dry. Maybe the birds have gone more quiet from the heaviness in the air. I have noticed that people are a lot quieter in my neighborhood than in previous, more normal summers. I never thought I’d miss the noise.

Out and About the Prairies

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I keep changing my mind about what to make of a post. It seems crazy to have so many options during the slow breeding season, as it were. But slowness gives one more time to reflect, perhaps, as long as one isn’t melting. The return of extreme heat doesn’t help.

I have been to both Goose Lakes these past two Sundays, and I was delighted to have Joann’s company, as we combed the prairies for grassland birds. Climate change is making things trickier for the birds as well. My annual tradition is to visit Goose Lake Prairie on or about the 4th or the 5th of July, to celebrate quiet before or after the noise of fireworks and acknowledge another year gone on the 5th, which was my birthday, or so I’ve been told. Anyway, recovering from the carpal tunnel surgery, I am still using the Sony RX10 and getting more or less used to it.

At Goose Lake Prairie on July 5, we had many Field Sparrows, if more heard than seen.

Common Yellowthroats were still proclaiming their presence,

We saw an Eastern Meadowlark early on, if briefly.

Flying over us, at first a Great Egret and later, a Great Blue Heron.

There’s still nothing quite like an Indigo Bunting in bright sunshine.

This female Northern Cardinal struck a pose.

Toward the end of our trek, we saw Bald Eagle juveniles playing in the distance. There were 3 or 4 but I only managed to barely capture two at a time.

I used to always visit Goose Lake Prairie expecting to see Dickcissels, but this was the first year I didn’t even hear one. We heard chats and a Henslow’s Sparrow, but didn’t see any. There had been a lot of rain and flooding. Still, were fairly comfortable, it was not too hot, and the prairie flowers were in bloom.

One week later we visited Goose Lake Conservation Area, in the opposite direction, hoping to get lucky and see some Yellow-headed Blackbirds, the main attraction there. Although we did see a few, they were too far away, popping up in the reeds which were that much taller than on my last visit on June 2. I was hoping to start seeing some juvenile birds, but things were still pretty quiet. After the long walk along the Hebron Trail, when we finally reached the open grassland, I found a quiet Song Sparrow to photograph.

We were greeted by a large number of swallows, which turned out to be predominantly Bank Swallows with some Barn and.Tree Swallows. Bank and Barn Swallows below.

Two Tree Swallows, including the one at the top of the post.

We had a couple Willow Flycatchers, and an Eastern Kingbird.

We were standing on the platform that provides somewhat of an overlook facing the water, although we could not even see the water for all the reeds. At some point we noticed a Dickcissel struggling with what appeared to be a grasshopper. I had seen three or more Dickcissels back in June when they were perched proudly and singing, but I had almost forgotten they were here when this bird showed up.

Green Herons were flying over periodically.

I was surprised to have the camera almost focus on an American Goldfinch behind leaves.

Here’s one more of some Barn and Bank Swallows.

I should be out walking, but the sun is broiling, the heat is building, and the air is thick and heavy. I just can’t bring myself to start the car to go for a walk. I am also waiting for a FedEx delivery. If the delivery occurs early enough, I may go out this afternoon to swim. I found a pool where I can swim for the rest of the month before I go back to my regular health club, where the pool and the women’s locker room are currently closed for maintenance and remodeling, respectively. I went swimming on Monday at the temporary pool and surprised myself by doing the entire mile after not being able to swim for three weeks. Even swimming in warmer water than usual is refreshing. I hope you are finding ways to endure the heat, wherever you are.

Tadziu Sent Me

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I went out for a walk at the Chicago Portage this morning. That would not be so unusual, except for the fact that I have been staying inside all week due to the heat wave, and using my recovery from carpal tunnel surgery last Wednesday as further incentive to take it easy.

It rained last night, which brought down the overnight temperature, and we are promised more rain – in fact I heard thunder as I started to write this, threw on my gardening clothes loosely and went out to bring in the feeders just in time. I much prefer thunderstorms to fireworks.

My last time out was on June 28, the day my dressing came off my right wrist. I took the Sony RX10 camera with me, just to start getting used to the feel of it after years of neglect. I captured a Mallard swimming in the duckweed and turtles.

I ventured a photo of a distant Ruby-throated Hummingbird and an Oriole that I think might be the Orchard I heard singing so beautifully – that long, black tail doesn’t evoke Baltimore Oriole to me.

Thia morning, I was greeted by a “red carpet” of seeds strewn over the paved trail, and then while walking in on the dirt and gravel trail, I was stopped by a downed tree that had fallen across the trail during last night’s storm.

So I retreated back to the paved trail, stopping to observe one of several Red-winged Blackbirds.

I must have startled a Green Heron along the way.

By the little bridge, two Osprey flew over. I was able to capture only one at a time, but that’s better than nothing.

My greatest reward this morning was standing on the side of the little bridge, listening to an Indigo Bunting that at first I could not see. But he kept singing, and he was in Tadziu’s tree, so I waited patiently to find him. He dropped down to where I could see him and I got several photos, including the one at the top of the post. If I see this bird again, I will try to record a video.

For those of you who do not know of Tadziu, here’s a link to a post from years past that serves as an introduction. For what it’s worth, Tadziu knew every birder I encountered at the Chicago Portage. He presided over his territory for years. He did not return last summer, but one of his offspring did. Now I have to figure out if this is indeed another Tadziu Jr.

https://musicbirdblog.com/2022/06/08/cool-and-cloudy-at-the-portage/: Tadziu Sent Me

I’ll be back with something else. This short post seem appropriate with so much going on these longer days.

Scenes from Riverside

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The heat wave has begun. I was contemplating a walk by the river this morning, but at 7:00 AM it was already uncomfortably hot in my backyard, which is always cooler anyway because of all the trees… so I have reluctantly decided to stay inside. The thought of starting the car to drive for a walk seems like adding insult to injury. And, as good as I feel right now, I need to remind myself that I am still recovering from surgery.

So this is the first of a few retrospective posts featuring earlier walks by the Des Plaines River. I’ll start with an Indigo Bunting I found in Swan Pond on May 18.

On May 25, I happened to focus upon a Red-winged Blackbird as he was photo-bombed by a Mourning Dove,

On May 29, I took note of some late Mallard ducklings, two Double-crested Cormorants, and a Ring-billed Gull.

An Osprey also flew over.

And I was drawn to a Common Grackle in iridescence.

A doe calmly stared me down.

The month of June began inauspiciously. From June 1, a Double-crested Cormorant, a well-camouflaged Killdeer, a Song Sparrow and a Least Flycatcher.

I’m skipping ahead to June 22 when Cedar Waxwings were busy catching insects off the river.

I will be back with more selections, seeing as how I have conscripted myself to basically staying indoors these next few days. We are promised the beginning of a cool-down on Friday with forecasts for rain, of course. But I should not complain. I am healing well. I am managing to take care of my indoor birds and get some things done around the house. There are glimmers of promise as my wrist feels better and I turn less blue.

A Visit to the Hebron Trail

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I went up to what is now officially called Goose Lake Conservation Area in McHenry County on June 2, to see and hear the Yellow-headed Blackbirds that return every spring. I had to psych myself up for a drive that was even longer than the usual hour-and-a-half, due to the extra weekday traffic. But it was worth it, even if the birds were still quite far out from the observation deck. I envisioned returning later this month before my surgery, but decided to get some extra rest instead. Now that July looms ahead as a vast recovery experiment, maybe I can think about returning in a couple weeks.

My first photo was of an Eastern Bluebird. I think this is my first of this species this year.

Next I found a couple usual suspects, a Common Yellowthroat and a Song Sparrow, although there were fewer of the sparrows that morning.

I don’t have to ignore Red-winged Blackbirds all the time…

The Dickcissels were nice to see and hear.

I never ignore an American Crow.

When I could finally spot male Yellow-headed Blackbirds, they were extremely far away even for the 400mm extension of the lens, but I managed to get a few images. I always hope for closer encounters and I am betting they might be easier later in the season as the offspring fledge.

I can usually count on Willow Flycatchers here. These two were a bit hidden.

I found a Northern Yellow Warbler as well. I have heard them elsewhere, but this is the first one I’ve been able to photograph.

There were several Indigo Buntings singing.

Here’s one more Common Yellowthroat.

Well, I had my carpal tunnel release surgery yesterday, my surgeon said it went well, and I am feeling quite good this morning. It’s harder than ever to type with the dressing that won’t come off for three days, but I hope to play a little piano this afternoon and see what it’s like to move my car to the other side of the street for tomorrow, if not actually drive somewhere. I will know more about possibly swimming after I get the stitches removed in two weeks. Recovery is so far proving interesting. As long as I can take care of the birds, all is well. They are my best therapists.