The first few days of November that I managed to visit the Chicago Portage were varied, while the weather turns colder and windier, leaves swirl across the paths and crunch underfoot, and the birds manage to hide in spite of barer branches. Some birds have also adopted fall colors as their own. Here are photos from three visits with varying results as the fall story of the Chicago Portage twists and turns.

On November 2, not a lot was happening, but it was a beautiful morning. I barely saw a White-throated Sparrow.

I did see some deer. They seem to be more frequent visitors lately, or it could just be easier to see them.

I saw a Fox Sparrow. They have been showing up more regularly.

That morning, I could still find a Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Among the more frequent visitors lately, Canada Geese and Mallards have taken to the still-mosly-duckweed-covered water.

I didn’t get back to the Portage again until November 7. I took a fall photo of the statue.

I stopped by the bridge near Harlem and looked out onto the water where the duckweed is starting to disperse. I noticed a small pile of twigs in the middle just past the big log crossing it.

The Red-shouldered Hawk that has claimed the Chicago Portage as its hangout flew in.

A female House Finch perched close by.

Then I saw a beautiful Fox Sparrow, also closer. The same individual is at the top of this post.

And another Fox Sparrow was present.

I found a Black-capped Chickadee in a busy moment.

Then a White-throated Sparrow decided to engage with the lens.

American Goldfinches blend in perfectly with their surroundings these days.

I took a look at the view from the trail of the stream running through, before the climb up the hill.

There’s a favorite bathing spot down below the incline on the path and a couple White-throated Sparrows were taking advantage of it.

A Downy Woodpecker was nearby.

I barely saw an Orange-crowned Warbler.

And a Red-bellied Woodpecker flew out from where it had been foraging above.

Then I found a Song Sparrow.

On Saturday, November 9, I took a look at the view from the bridge closest to Harlem Avenue again, and this time, there was more than a few scattered twigs: it had grown into a nest. I wondered if it belonged to the muskrat we have seen infrequently. My suspicion was confirmed immediately when I searched the Internet. I wonder if the drought and low water levels have made this an attractive place for the muskrats. It will be interesting to see what happens.

For good measure, early on, I had a Dark-eyed Junco and a Northern Cardinal.

After that, a male House Finch showed up.

I met Bob on the trail, and he spotted a male Wood Duck mixed in with the Canada Geese.

And later I saw it next to a Mallard as well.

There was a bit of a feeding frenzy. A couple American Goldfinches were still finding plenty to eat.

Then I spotted a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

And another American Goldfinch, this one in repose.

I only caught an American Tree Sparrow leaving.

Then our new friend, the Red-shouldered Hawk, flew in. And left shortly thereafter.

One more expectant look at the Muskrat Den. We will be keeping an eye on it.

And here’s one more of the Red-shouldered Hawk as it flew out of the frame.

As the days grow shorter and shorter, we are beginning to feel the cold a bit more as well, although it’s still relatively mild for November. Perhaps inertia is more than a little tempting when one doesn’t know whether to look forward or backward. Photo-wise I will probably be doing some of both, as the laptop is still storing a backlog of photographs to go through.