The Green Herons are back. I’d been seeing one on occasion the last few weeks, but now I have seen at least one at the Chicago Portage regularly.

In addition to the Green Herons, it’s been interesting to see the summer residents now that they have moved into their territories and are busy raising families. Here are photos from two visits last week. June 3 started out quietly. The European Starlings are nesting in the statue’s cavities, I spied a baby rabbit, and a distant Ruby-throated Hummingbird sat on a dead branch.

An American Goldfinch was among the cottonwood seeds.

A female Red-winged Blackbird had a peaceful moment.

I encountered a chipmunk on the trail and spotted a female Yellow Warbler.

I noticed an interesting-looking Oriole which I assumed was a Baltimore Oriole until I started writing this post, looked up Baltimore Oriole on my Sibley app, and found that I had photographed a hybrid Baltimore Oriole-Bullock’s Oriole. I added the species and photos to my eBird list. Another rarity.

I was photographing the Eastern Kingbird below and didn’t notice until later that a Green Heron was sitting directly underneath it in the reeds.

Brown-headed Cowbird males are all hanging out like guys on street corners.

We have noticed lately that House Sparrows have taken to the wild as well.

Two days later, on June 5, I thought this American Robin was worth noting.

I barely caught a distant Gray Catbird in flight, but I think it makes an interesting image.

From the bridge, I saw an American Goldfinch and an Eastern Kingbird.

I also saw some iris virginica or Blue Flag Iris, a native species.

I identified the Cliff Swallow below later in my photos.

I never turn down a female Northern Cardinal.

A Great Blue Heron flew overhead and landed in a tree for a moment before taking off again.

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers aren’t easy to see now that leaves are in the way, but I got a bit of luck with this one.

More views of the Eastern Kingbird, and some turtles.

I wondered if the Eastern Phoebe below was a juvenile.

An Osprey flew overhead.

I noticed a Muskrat and, later, I just barely made out a Common Watersnake in the reeds to its left.

Then the Green Heron was posing.

And later, as Bob and I were walking out along the paved trail, the Green Heron joined us for a closer view.

I have a lot more observations from the past week, not to mention the past month. I’m also busy preparing to play a little piano on Saturday for two friends who are renewing their vows. I am improvising on a melody and a rhythm that I’ve been living with for the past couple of weeks. The birds are helping me with it as I have an aversion to writing anything down. I value their input and encouragement.