I’ve grown fond of going out lately with the little Sony camera as I become more used to what it will or won’t do. It’s now been a few days over a month since my carpal tunnel surgery. But I was still using the Canon body and lens last month and have a few photos from that time period to share. And since I have been stuck inside during a long-awaited thunderstorm, it seems like a good time to finish this post. Starting on June 15th, I saw Cliff Swallows by the bridge at Joliet Avenue.

Common Mergansers, albeit uncommon this time of year, were again in the river that morning.

A Great Blue Heron was looking for a meal, and then a Red-winged Blackbird demanded its departure.

I have seen so few butterflies this summer, I had to document this Hackberry Emperor.

Every once in a while I see enough parts a male Northern Cardinal.

Gray Catbirds were more vocal earlier in the season, more often heard than seen. So this was a nice encounter.

Then on June 19, I noticed this Common Grackle shining in the sunlight by the HofmannTower.

I also found this Barn Swallow taking a break for a photo.

What appeared to be juvenile Cliff Swallows were flying by the walls of the former Hofmann Dam.

Two common river occupants were still worth noticing: a Double-crested Cormorant and a Mallard.

Here are two more views of the Cedar Waxwing at the top of the post.

An Indigo Bunting appeared briefly to be behind bars.

A distant view from the swinging bridge revealed a pair of Common Mergansers and a Great Blue Heron.

I am always delighted to see the return of the Blue-fronted Dancer Damselfly.

Then, another pose from a Gray Catbird on that day.

After experiencing extremely dry conditions – I ran out of water in both rain barrels over a week ago – we have finally gotten some rain today. I was beginning to wonder where it could be coming from with all the hot and dry conditions to the west of us. The fronts have been threatening with severe thunderstorms since late morning. The birds and I have been lucky, but it’s been an afternoon of anticipation as to what will happen next. Earlier, the emergency broadcast system on the radio was not a test, but the real thing. The Zebra Finches always yell when they hear the test. And then later, the actual test was run, I guess just to make sure. We yelled again. A turned around day indeed.