As promised in my last post, here are some more photos from August 13, 20 and 22 at the Chicago Portage.
But first, on August 13, when I stepped out my front door, there was a female American Goldfinch in the front yard feeding on the purple coneflower seeds. I just barely captured her as she was in the thick of it.
Then at the Portage, I observed a fine-looking union of two non-native species, a Cabbage White Butterfly and Burdock.
There were a few Cedar Waxwings in distant conference.
Eventually, a couple individuals volunteered. These birds know how to pose.
I caught a brief glimpse of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the Jewel Weed. The Portage used to have a lot of this plant, and now it has all but disappeared, which is a disappointment for me and the hummingbirds.
There were American Goldfinches here too, of course. It’s a great time of year to be a goldfinch with so many flowers going to seed.
I saw a young Baltimore Oriole.
I first heard and then saw a juvenile Gray Catbird.
I couldn’t resist following a White-breasted Nuthatch as it scaled what looks like a cottonwood tree.
There were a couple Red-bellied Woodpeckers. The one on the left in the second photo below is a juvenile.
On August 20, the non-warbler species kicked off with a couple Eastern Wood-Pewees seen from the bridge near Harlem. One of them also appears in the first photo of this post. In the last photo below, a Song Sparrow flushed the Pewee off its perch.
American Goldfinches were enjoying the duckweed.
A tree full of Cedar Waxwings showed up.
A Black-capped Chickadee checked out the statue.
And a Chipmunk vied for my attention.
On August 22nd, I first caught a Downy Woodpecker landing onto a tree trunk.
A Gray Catbird flipped its tail toward me.
I had one of my last glimpses of an adult male Baltimore Oriole.
I’m starting to think the Chipmunks recognize me.
I thought I had what appeared to be a young Philadelphia Vireo in my photos but upon review I have decided it was a Warbling Vireo.
I found a disheveled, molting Indigo Bunting.
I have not encountered any large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds yet, only a few solitary individuals like the female or juvenile below.
An Osprey flew overhead.
There are many more photos I can share of this emergent transition from summer into fall. And if the forecast holds for unbearable heat through Wednesday, I may have more time to post rather than take more photos. My only consolation is that the birds don’t like extremely hot weather either. It was very quiet when I stopped by the Chicago Portage this morning after an early walk in Thatcher Woods with the Oak Park Bird Walkers. Next Saturday I meet them at Columbus Park. We should be back in the low 80’s by then, and see a lot more birds.
Another butterfly to learn, more homework for me. Enjoyed the flocking Cedar Waxwings, tells you the berries at Portage are ripening and Fall is coming. You keep seeing those Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. I guess you know where at Portage to look for them.
Enjoyed the American Goldfinches sitting on the branches above the duckweed. The picture makes a nice contrast with the shades of green and brown.
I also see you caught that Black-capped Chickadee visiting with Fr. Marquette. Nice picture of that molting Indigo Bunting, after just wondering if they may have already headed south. Finally, Ospreys are always a treat.
Thanks for all your thoughtful comments, Bob.
José tells me you are on your way to Montana. I hope it’s cooler where you’re going.
As much as I hate getting up early I think it’s the only way to see anything around here for the next few days.
Mrs T loves waxwings but we very rarely see them here.
Although they are technically with us year-round we see them more in migration and definitely when there are berries to eat. If anything I have been surprised to see singular birds as we tend to expect them to be in flocks.