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.
Ooh I like Cave Swallows. You have some nice shots. I have done a little birding out here, but except for Dickcissels not much is new. Glad to hear your wrist is doing well. Keep practicing with the Sony.
If your afternoon was anything like mine your water barrels must be filled to the brim.
Thanks, Bob. Oh yes, at least the main rain barrel is full. And a large branch that almost came off my flowering crabapple tree in back got its final push, landing where I knew it would, in the dogwood. I dragged it back to the cement slab yesterday and it will be easy to dismantle when it dries out.
I decided to not go to the Portage this morning as it might be closed as it was after the last severe storms, or at least some of the trail might be impassible. I have enough cleanup to do in my own yard. And then I will swim, as I couldn’t go yesterday. Trying to remember what day it is…
I hope your clean up is doable. Some friends and family lost power and I heard some Western Suburbs had some large hail that even damaged cars.
Thanks. So far I seem to have escaped damage. The lights flickered a couple times but we didn’t lose power. 🤞
I like to see your mergansers, which we call goosanders here.
I hope that you survive the weather.
We have two other species of mergansers, and only one, the Hooded, could be here year-round. So it has been particularly interesting to see the Common Mergansers.
So far so good with the threatening weather. I am glad my trees are standing ground as now I suddenly realize I have a lot of them and I think trimming is on the docket this fall.