I discovered there’s a name for this stuck-inside summer malaise: Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder (SSAD). I spent most of today inside, expecting rain from the forecast that virtually never happened. But working in the muddy yard after rain we had the night before when half the tall plants were knocked down and spread out sopping wet was not attractive to me, so I stayed inside, got my cleaning done and a little cooking, and then, looking at photos from my last two visits to the Chicago Portage, I realized I miss it terribly. So I plan to go there tomorrow morning, as it’s been over a week. Here’s what I saw on my last two visits.
On July 15, there was ample sunshine.
I spotted an American Goldfinch contemplating the duckweed.
On the dirt trail, I noticed the Squirrel-tail Grass where it appears every year.
It was a good morning to see Indigo Buntings.
These days, by the time I get around to the paved trail and the picnic tables that have been placed close to the water, I have made this a destination to sit and observe whatever. And that morning, a Green Heron arrived. At first it was farther away, but then it came to see what was happening directly across the water from where I was sitting. It stayed quite a while, but didn’t catch anything and so it took off eventually.
Beyond that, I barely saw a Song Sparrow.
On July 17, there was some cloud cover.
I was pleasantly surprised to encounter an immature Yellow Warbler. I haven’t heard or seen any adult males in quite a while since they were busy displaying and setting up territories earlier. This bird seemed rather curious.
I haven’t seen many Red Admiral butterflies, so I took note of this individual.
An Amerioan Goldfinch took on the green of the leaves surrounding it.
A young rabbit was on the paved trail.
I managed to barely capture a Barn Swallow flying over the duckweed.
Here’s one more of the Yellow Warbler.
I don’t know what awaits me tomorrow morning, but it should be a little cooler early, and it will be good to get out and stretch my index finger on the shutter button. I have new prescription lenses which should make it easier to focus.
I love the contrast of the Green Heron and Goldfinch amidst the duckweed.
Summer weather does provide us with some additional beauty, beyond birds, as one walks the trail.
As we await the fall migration this is the time to sit and take in the beauty of the Portage.
Oh, yes that is a great shot of the Barn Swallow.
Thanks, Bob. Yes, the duckweed provides a serene green backdrop for everything.
I got a chance to go to Montrose instead this morning which doesn’t happen often at all so I will have to reunite with the Portage later in the week.
Wherever you go, it’s super humid.
I am sorry about your unsatisfactory weather.
I liked your picture of the rabbit.
The weather is just icing on the dystopian cake. We are promised some cooler weather toward the end of the week. It’s not all bad: my right knee seems to like heat and humidity.
It’s been a good year for rabbits.