I envisioned writing this post for days only to discover when I finally sat down to do it that I never even developed the photographs for it. I guess life has been more hectic and exhausting lately. But it’s still worth going back to the end of November and early December, as the cold finally started to descend upon us and the Sandhill Cranes were flying south overhead. I apologize for the photo overload, but I wanted to get all the crane flocks in.

Photos are from four visits to the Chicago Portage. On November 23, the weather was still quite warm. I wasn’t seeing too much. but the water was still clear.

Some of the regulars were visible, although that may have been the last time I saw a Song Sparrow.

On November 26, it was still warm in the sunshine.

The water was quite clear, the last vestiges of duckweed visible here and there. I keep taking photos of the muskrat nest, but the muskrats make no appearances, at least not while I’m there.

Mallards were still in the water.

I managed to capture a few images of a male House Finch.

And at least one male Northern Cardinal sits still for me these days.

I caught a glimpse of a Downy Woodpecker.

I couldn’t resist this European Starling. I would otherwise expect them all to be in large flocks this time of year.

Speaking of individuals apart from large flocks, American Robins are sometimes difficult to find.

But wintertime is Dark-eyed Junco season, full stop.

And that day, there were Sandhill Cranes flying over just before I left.

On November 30, I noticed the Muskrat Nest in a little bit of barely frozen water.

The sunshine blessed the Northern Cardinals.

And more Sandhills flew over.

Back on the ground, I noticed a Fox Sparrow.

Also well-camouflaged, a White-throated Sparrow.

And I barely managed an American Robin as it left its perch.

Black-capped Chickadees always seem to be cheerfully busy when I see and hear them.

The Portage was looking quite cold and barren as the cold settled in.

A Dark-eyed Junco was foraging on the paved trail.

And an American Tree Sparrow was busy blending in.

I paid attention to this female Downy Woodpecker.

When I got home and out of the car, more Sandhill Cranes were flying overhead.

Lastly, on December 3, the winter cold had taken over. I didn’t see any Sandhills that day.

But a Red-tailed Hawk that’s been hanging out lately was distantly visible.

The Portage was more subdued, even in the sunlight.

And the last photos I tried to get were of two deer. See if you can detect the rack on the buck in the first photo below, as he blends in with his surroundings. The doe was with him.

Thanks for making it through this post. When I’m not seeing many birds, it may seem crazy to take so many photos, but this time of year anything and everything can grab my attention.