I’m out of town so I won’t be visiting the lakefront this week, but I have a few images from last week to share. In the back yard for starters…

Male Northern Cardinal

The male cardinal who visits frequently finally allowed me to take a picture of him through the porch window.

Dark-eyed Junco

And this Junco was in his element; we had just a little snow last week.

On Friday it was bitter cold and bright on the lakefront. These characters always tag along as I walk north looking for water fowl, and then they fly in front of me, frustrating me because I’m too late to capture them as I struggle to carry their treats and the camera. This time, I threw peanuts behind me and turned around in time, freezing them in a couple frames before I froze my fingers.

Lakefront crows

The water was like glass shimmering in the sunshine.

Common Merganser and Canada Goose

Waiting patiently on the dock for my next move, this Crow sits…

Dock Crow

Sunday I went to the Morton Arboretum with a friend to find birds, and got pictures of this white-morph Red-Tailed Hawk in flight.

Red-Tailed Hawk

The previous Sunday I went on an organized owl field trip with the DuPage Birding Club. I was fortunate enough to ride with three friends who graciously shared their expertise. They found five species of owls that day, but either the conditions were not conducive to taking photographs, or I hated to bother the birds when they should be sleeping. Mostly I was in awe of the owls when I could see them, as I feel like a voyeur in their presence. But come sundown, this Great Horned Owl had the last word.

Great Horned Owl sunset