
Here’s a set of photographs I have been meaning to share since they were taken way back when, December 22, 2021, to be exact, in Riverside. I figured I could contrast what this part of the world looked like before the snow and icy cold overtook everything.
The Brown Creeper at the top of the post was on a Hackberry tree right by the Riverside entrance to the foot bridge. It was foraging about waist-level.





There were a lot of Canada Geese that day, including the one above with its neck tag. When I was last there, only a few Canada Geese were down on the ice.

I never turn down a chance to photograph a Downy Woodpecker, although it was a lot easier back in December.




The Dark-eyed Junco below was over by the Riverside side of the Joliet Avenue bridge.
It’s been really hard to capture Black-capped Chickadees lately, so I’m glad I managed on December 22nd to photograph this one.



Mallards below are from February 1. The sole female Common Goldeneye was still with some of them.



The unidentified fungus below was from the December outing.

Also in December, across the river, I managed to pick out this Blue Jay having a drink of water solely by his blue color.
Here’s how the sky looked on February 1.


Another before and after comparison of the river.


I took notice of the hole in this stump on February 1, sheerly for its size and somewhat square shape, which made me wonder if I will ever see a Pileated Woodpecker at this location. I thought I heard one that day.

I keep thinking this downed tree by the trail looks like a hedge.

So, a last look at the snow and ice for now. It is not going anywhere for awhile. There likely will always be some Mallards and a few Canada Geese in the open water. I have yet to see a Bald Eagle here or at the Portage.


This morning I found myself going through some photographs from the end of September in Riverside, taken around the Indian Gardens location before I had discovered this location I have been to all winter. I am sure I will be birding both areas in the spring. In the meantime, I will be back with those photos from September 29, 2021, to brighten things up a bit and as something to look forward to.
Good contrasts.
Easy actually when I keep taking the exact same landscape shots…only the season changes.
These shots are beautiful, the lighting on winter scenes really are wonderful to capture. Great variety of birds shot! Especially love the Blue Jay getting a drink!
Thanks so much, Donna! I just keep taking the same views of the river from the bridge…as I do at the Portage every time I go there. It must come from practicing piano or something (?). And in the winter there isn’t much else to focus on. I do so appreciate the little bit of wildness we have in our urban areas. The Blue Jay was such as surprise – at first I thought it might be the Eastern Bluebird I had been seeing but was just as delighted with the Jay’s presence. 🙂