Ring-Billed Gull, Grant Park
I don’t get out as often as I’d like to during the week, and there are fewer places to go, which should make it easier, I suppose, but it doesn’t. I have been spending most of my mid-afternoons in Lake Shore East Park. Although one morning a couple weeks ago I did get up an hour early and trekked before work through the north part of Jackson Park, Butler Field, and then Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, where the day before Dave Johnson had reported Cape May Warblers in droves. I was lucky to find them still there, foraging in the hazelnut trees.
Cape May Warbler, Lurie Garden, Millennium Park 9-25-14
There were also American Goldfinches plucking seeds from the grasses.
American Goldfinch, Lurie Garden
And an Orange-Crowned Warbler, which at first glance confused me, since I haven’t seem them for a while.
Orange-Crowned Warbler, Lurie Garden
Later that day, I saw a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird at Lake Shore East Park.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, Lake Shore East Park, 9-25-14
And Red-Winged Blackbirds enjoying someone’s discarded rice.
Red-Winged Blackbird Takeout, Lake Shore East Park
And a beautiful juvenile White-Crowned Sparrow.
Juvenile White-Crowned Sparrow, Lake Shore East Park
The day before, at Lake Shore East Park, there were several Ruby-Crowned Kinglets.
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Lake Shore East Park
And a Brown Thrasher trying to hide behind the branches and almost succeeding.
Brown Thrasher, Lake Shore East Park
This was the last Common Yellowthroat I found this fall.
Common Yellowthroat, Lake Shore East Park
And one of a few Dark-Eyed Juncos that arrived on September 22.
Dark-Eyed Junco, Lake Shore East Park
Also on September 22, the photographs below.
Adult White-Crowned Sparrow
A lingering Blackpoll Warbler.
As the days grow shorter and the weather gets cooler, a new crop of crows has emerged to entertain me with their peanut antics. A short Crow Post is on the way.
You have a serious list of birds there Lisa. Weather must be still warm enough. Nice shots! 🙂
Thanks, HJ! I’m just trying to get caught up with the last month’s photos before I archive everything off the laptop to make room… Warblers are pretty much gone now except for Yellow-Rumpeds. Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes still around as of Friday. Almost time to start thinking about ducks. 🙂
The ruby crowned kinglet is my favourite of the day.
Thank you. I love these birds too. They were only around for about a week and then disappeared. Oddly enough their winter range starts just south of Illinois, and their summer range is quite a bit more north and west. So we only get to see them on their way and I suppose since it’s a relatively short trip by comparison to some migrant that they’re making, they don’t need to fuel up for very long.
You did well to be in the right place to see one.
Actually I rescued one last week, I think it was on Tuesday morning. It looked like it might have injured its wing, it was sitting on a granite bench at 155 N. Wacker. I called the Bird Collision Monitors and picked it up, put it in my brown paper bag stowed for such events. I was amazed by how tiny it was. Smaller than my Zebra Finches, I think. I did get to see the Ruby Crown that time.
You are very good to look after strays so kindly.
I never could have imagined doing any of this until I started living with birds. I’ve become a Bird Mother.