My last visit to Riverside was on Friday. I encountered more people than birds, but I ventured into Riverside Lawn to see how it was faring after the last storms. There were three new obstacles, with one of them being nearly impassable. One fashions a workaround out of necessity. The problem with this location is likely akin to the same thing that turned it into a wild area in the first place. It probably can’t be maintained properly simply because it is too difficult to access with any equipment.
This is sort of a hodgepodge post. I will continue somewhat backward in time.
House Finches have been hanging out in the marshy area by the Hofmann Tower.
Great Egrets have been here and there. This closer look was from the swinging bridge on Friday.
I saw a Spotted Sandpiper last week.
I have not seen more than one Great Blue Heron, and it has always been at a distance.
But I was able to get a closer look on my last visit in June of this year.
Also on that June 26 visit, an Eastern Kingbird, a Red-winged Blackbird and a Song Sparrow. So common, until you stop seeing them.
I thought I would do a little comparison between this year and last and happened to find photos from July 31, 2023 on my older laptop. Notice the difference in the water level and the less lush vegetation as we were in a moderate drought of sorts.
The herons could actually wade in the water.
There was a Northern Waterthrush hanging out last July.
I have seen these damselflies this year as well, but they haven’t been so easy to photograph. It’s not because they haven’t tried on occasion. They seem to like swarming in front of my feet.
The tree that used to produce this fungus with some regularity no longer exists.
I really don’t know why I was saving these photos of an Eastern Wood-Pewee from last year but here they are. I guess they can stand in for those I have heard but not seen lately.
I should be back soon with recaps of more recent visits to the Chicago Portage where it is always easier to walk after a lot of rain. We have started another heat wave with rain in the forecast for the next three days, so I likely won’t be walking anywhere. I am not used to this!
I forgot – a few more from Riverside on 7-22:
A close look at a Double-crested Cormorant…
I will have to be content with the little color explosion outside my back porch steps. This combination of Tall Ironweed and Canada Goldenrod planted itself after I had to remove my Staghorn Sumac tree.
The backyard explosion is lovely.
I liked the picture of the egret a lot.
Thank you! I can’t tell you how many times I have tried to control the backyard explosion but this year cutting, tying, staking is to no avail. Everything comes back stronger. So I have decided to let the plants have their way because I adore the color and so do the bees who don’t seem to mind when I have to fight my way through the yard.
Those are large trees blocking the way. How long ago would you have been able to easily leap over the trees? Nice idea to go back a year to give us a comparison of the water and vegetation levels. I had similar thoughts about your back yard and all the water induced lushness and bright colors.
The trees, yes. If they’re not too high, I can climb over them, I wouldn’t say leap. It would be interesting to see the deer navigate them. This may drive me back to Indian Gardens for a change. See what’s going on over there.