We went from over 70 degrees on Saturday to wind gusts from the north on Sunday up to 32 miles per hour. I went out both days in search of more signs of spring.
On Saturday, I decided to visit McGinnis Slough. The overcast made it even harder to see waterfowl which was typically far away, but I did manage to see a few birds. It was hard to resist a near, displaying Red-winged Blackbird.
Swimming close enough for an identifying photograph, anyway, was a pair of Ring-necked Ducks. I am sure there were at least 100 more that I couldn’t see well enough to count.
There were quite a number of Northern Shovelers as well, and I got lucky when some nearer ones took flight.
A Great Blue Heron flew overhead.
Easiest to see were about 20 American Coots closer to the trail.
Most unusual was an Eastern Comma butterfly.
On Sunday, I was at the Chicago Portage, where I barely saw a White-throated Sparrow.
Not surprisingly, I had a male Northern Cardinal and a male Red-winged Blackbird posing,
Then I saw an Eastern Phoebe. I recall this bird returning at what I consider early to this location last year. For all I know it could be the same individual. I saw him get lucky with a worm.
I was about to leave when I was stopped by a fairly close Golden-crowned Kinglet. I had heard their calls but had not seen one up to this point. While I was photographing this one, two more arrived, and then another five came flying over from the other side of the water. I imagined them saying, “Quick, she’s counting, let’s get in on it.”
I then went to see if there was any activity by what I believe might be a Cooper’s Hawk nest I noticed on a couple recent visits. I did see a Cooper’s Hawk in flight.
It began on March 12, when I saw a Cooper’s Hawk around the nest location and just barely saw another on the nest. I haven’t been able to see anything going on with the nest since, but a Cooper’s Hawk has often been present.
One more photo of a Cooper’s Hawk on March 19.
We are set to experience temperatures all over the place the rest of this week and next, with some rain. I am hoping to set up my rain barrels by Monday if the overnight temperatures stay above freezing. Then I will start looking forward to even warmer overnight lows so I can start cleaning up the yard. Musical engagements are coming up as well. It’s all in the reawakening.
Great variety, Lisa, I love that ‘golden crown’ shot, awesome! We are now quickly changing around the Chesapeake Bay area, our winter waterfowl are almost all gone, Osprey are returning, and my Chipping Sparrows showed up yesterday!
Thanks, Donna! I think you’ve been ahead of us on this spring thing for a while… we’re just barely getting started. The Golden-crowneds seem to relish the fact that they’re being noticed. 🙂
I liked the Golden-crowned Kinglets rushing to be counted. If only all birds were so helpful. 🙂
They seem fearless. There’s no leaf cover to hide behind. They’re little joyful acrobats with wings. I’ve never understood why they like to be photographed – maybe it’s a “catch-me-if-you-can” instinct.
Yes, the migrants are arriving. I even enjoy the steady slow pace of the early scouts. I smiled a little at the few green sprouts emerging from the tree behind the Cardinal. The seasonal changes can bring new energy to the birds, the land and to us birders.
Well said, Bob. We all need renewal, the sooner the better!