The heat wave has begun. I was contemplating a walk by the river this morning, but at 7:00 AM it was already uncomfortably hot in my backyard, which is always cooler anyway because of all the trees… so I have reluctantly decided to stay inside. The thought of starting the car to drive for a walk seems like adding insult to injury. And, as good as I feel right now, I need to remind myself that I am still recovering from surgery.

So this is the first of a few retrospective posts featuring earlier walks by the Des Plaines River. I’ll start with an Indigo Bunting I found in Swan Pond on May 18.

On May 25, I happened to focus upon a Red-winged Blackbird as he was photo-bombed by a Mourning Dove,

On May 29, I took note of some late Mallard ducklings, two Double-crested Cormorants, and a Ring-billed Gull.

An Osprey also flew over.

And I was drawn to a Common Grackle in iridescence.

A doe calmly stared me down.

The month of June began inauspiciously. From June 1, a Double-crested Cormorant, a well-camouflaged Killdeer, a Song Sparrow and a Least Flycatcher.

I’m skipping ahead to June 22 when Cedar Waxwings were busy catching insects off the river.

I will be back with more selections, seeing as how I have conscripted myself to basically staying indoors these next few days. We are promised the beginning of a cool-down on Friday with forecasts for rain, of course. But I should not complain. I am healing well. I am managing to take care of my indoor birds and get some things done around the house. There are glimmers of promise as my wrist feels better and I turn less blue.