8 American Wigeon following a Northern Shoveler
Getting up earlier now for work, so it should be a little easier to convince myself to continue getting up early on the weekend and look for migrating birds. I still curse the alarm clock – it’s quite dark at 4:15 A.M. and it won’t be getting any lighter for a while. But even my Zebra Finches have gotten into the new routine. They start in with their morning chorus call well before sunrise.
I have yet to record the morning Zebra Finch reveille, but the week I was off in between jobs, I did manage to get a clip or two of Arturo T., and so I have finally added his arpeggio song to the sidebar. He has more songs I will try to publish soon.
Double-Crested Cormorant
It was officially fall sometime Friday afternoon, but we have been trapped in the middle of a hot spell longer than anything we had during the summer. Even worse, the forecast for rain keeps diminishing. But I guess compared to other parts of the planet our weather woes are mild by comparison.
These miscellaneous flight shots are primarily from a visit to McGinnis Slough the weekend before last.
Blue Jay
Great Egret
Wood Ducks
The two Great Egrets below were flying over the Des Plaines River near the Portage the day before.
I’ll let the pictures talk for themselves…
Downy Woodpecker
Below a little sign that the trees are getting ready for a long winter’s nap even if the weather won’t cooperate.
I went into the city an hour earlier this morning to see if it was possible to see any birds before getting to the office. It wasn’t easy. The light wasn’t good until I had to leave Lake Shore East Park, after it took me half an hour to get there. I will simply have to find birds close to the river. I will miss the lakefront parks, and particularly my crows. I may have to go downtown a few weekends to see if I can find the crows, because I miss them terribly. I refuse to believe they aren’t around as much because I have been absent, I still think it’s the hot weather. I hope I’m right.
I will try to be back sooner. Still getting used to the new regime. I hope the autumnal equinox finds you safe and sound, wherever you are.
It’s warm for this time of the year, our tree leaves are mostly green and we’re only five days to October. i’ve noticed a marked absence of blackbirds already. My hummingbirds are still having parties here and drinking nectar like French Champagne! Nice frying bird captures Lisa. 🙂
Ah, you still have hummers, lucky you! I know, it’s hard to believe it’s almost October. Thanks, H.J.!
beautiful…. its joy watching these magical creation of God….. migratory birds have started coming to India as well and am also planning this weekend to move out of city limits into the marshes to watch these beauties…..
Thank you for your comment! I will be thinking of you walking in the marshes in India when I venture out this weekend. 🙂
Lovely pictures. I hope that your new regime will let you keep taking them.
Unfortunately the options available during the work week so far are terrible. But I will keep trying to find a way. Or just make sure I get out every weekend! 🙂
Work is the curse of the bird watcher.
Good luck with the new work territories. I hope something shows up nearby!
Thanks, but I’m not too hopeful. I got spoiled several years ago, but now between habitat loss and lack of availability I’m pretty miserable. I’ll figure something out. Where there’s a will…
Great photographs, as usual. I didn’t know birds flying in the V formation could be of mixed species.
Neither did I but I think it was a spur-of-the-moment decision on their part, just relocating to another part of the slough. Thanks. 🙂