Visits to the Chicago Portage will likely be brief these days as the weather has turned colder, often gloomier, and the birds are not always easy to find. But there are other things to watch for as well.
“Welcome to Muskrat Estates.” I wish I could post a sign stating this on the bridge near Harlem because the muskrats have now built another sizable nest. I took these photos last Friday, November 22. A few Mallards could still be seen enjoying Muskrat Estates.
A bit later I found a few more Mallards feeding where there was still duckweed. The duckweed is receding i the colder weather.
At the top of the hill, such as it is, in the goldenrod, I found an American Tree Sparrow blending in nicely.
House Finches were nearby.
I spotted a Dark-eyed Junco.
Then a moment later, I noticed a Red-tailed Hawk sitting in a faraway tree.
A Downy Woodpecker caught my attention.
The Red-tailed Hawk flew in to a closer perch.
And then the hawk was on the move again.
I spotted a Downy Woodpecker on the ground.
And a female Northern Cardinal didn’t seem to mind my attention as she perched long enough for me to take her picture.
An American Goldfinch was taking a water break on the paved trail.
I found another American Tree Sparrow.
The Red-tailed Hawk was on the move again.
And then I heard Sandhill Cranes overhead. I barely managed to capture a few of them behind the trees in the cloudy sky, but it was nice to hear and see them.
I am spending a quiet Thanksgiving Day at home with the birds. I’ve been having fun in the kitchen lately trying new recipes and improving upon old ones. Our temperatures are about to plunge for the weekend, so I may as well keep cooking: this is definitely soup and bread weather. There’s also something peaceful and restorative in preparing food.
Your photographs bring out the change in the season very well. I hope that you made some suitable Thanksgiving soup and bread.
Thank you, Tom. I think I’ll be cooking all weekend, but I am thankful to have new recipes to try. It took 3 days to make a Nordic rye bread with some leftover rye berries but it was fun for a change and worth it.
Liked the opening shot of the American Tree Sparrow. Amid the gray parlor of the sky, the Downy Woodpeckers seem to shine. Yes, the southern flying cranes are always great fun to enjoy even if it indicates the weather is dipping downward.
Hope Thanksgiving was restful.
Thanks, Bob. It’s been a very restful weekend so far and I intend to keep it that way. I hope your Thanksgiving was warm and peaceful. I will try to keep telling myself if the woodpeckers and cardinals can take the cold, so can I. At least they do it with style.
Well the best of luck if you were considering venturing out in the cold today. Stay warm and get a little more rest.
Well I did go out this morning and saw José and George, and even a few birds. I remembered the heavier coat I bought and it kept me fairly warm. Saw Sandhills once at the Portage and then when I got home. There was a family with a bunch of noisy young kids running through, and the workers were sawing and burning. I tried to avoid all. Stay warm yourself.