The fall warblers are trickling in. Here are a few warblers to get started with from morning walks in Riverside and the Chicago Portage. On August 27 in Riverside, I saw a female American Redstart.
Also present was a Cedar Waxwing. I included the middle photo because if you look closely at the yellow tip of the tail, it appears to have a serrated edge.
I caught a Chimney Swift and a Double-crested Cormorant in flight.
A Great Blue Heron and a Great Egret were available for long views.
On September 1 at the Chicago Portage, I briefly saw a Blackburnian Warbler.
I also had a Cape May Warbler, but only got a glimpse-and-a-half.
The next day, September 2, at the Chicago Portage, I had only a Nashville Warbler.
But I did get an interesting photo of a young Hairy Woodpecker.
And I made the acquaintance of a Chickweed Geometer Moth.
Back again on September 4 at the Chicago Portage, I had an American Redstart that could be a young male.
I then saw a Bay-breasted Warbler.
And I got some fair looks at a Magnolia Warbler or two.
I also had Tennessee Warblers.
I caught a glimpse of a Gray-cheeked Thrush.
And a Field Sparrow sat still for a moment.
Also that day, Bob and I saw a Broad-winged Hawk and a Cooper’s Hawk. They were both in the air at the same time, and then the Cooper’s Hawk made a return solo visit.
Broad-winged HawkCooper’s Hawk
In Riverside on September 5, I saw the Chestnut-sided Warbler who is also at the top of this post.
I also had an American Redstart, again, a young male.
Great Egrets were here and there..
On my walk through Riverside Lawn, I came across a Green Heron perched by the river close to where I was walking.
And I heard and then saw a Northern Waterthrush.
I just had a very interesting morning at the Chicago Portage, so I think I will be back with that recap as soon as possible before I go back a little bit to the five days in between. Anything can happen during fall migration, even when it’s least expected.
The rain stopped Wednesday and it was still mid-morning, so I decided to take a look around Riverside Lawn before I went swimming. I’m glad I did. Even though the light was poor, I had some birds I hadn’t seen among all the Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers.
I was first greeted by a beautiful female Eastern Towhee.
I saw two Chimney Swifts returning from Chile.
There were a couple Yellow-rumped Warblers bathing in a puddle on the trail.
I noticed a couple Northern Flickers getting ready to make more flickers.
A Yellow-rumped Warbler seemed interested in posing for me.
There were so many Palm Warblers I found it hard to estimate, but eBird would only allow me to enter 20 without requiring documentation, so that was the number I entered. I’m sure there were more than 20, but I would have needed an assistant with a counter to keep track of them all.
Ruby-crowned Kinglets have been abundant. I haven’t been seeing any Golden-crowned Kinglets lately.
Here’s another Palm Warbler and a Yellow-rumped Warbler.
I then felt lucky to see a Swamp Sparrow on the muddy trail.
I heard and then saw this Northern Waterthrush. It sang and posed on a branch right ih froht of me.
Palm Warblers were still pretty to look at.
A couple female Red-winged Blackbirds were hanging out.
This Ruby-crowned Kinglet was cooperative, but I have yet to get a photo with one displaying the crown.
Then I was delighted to see my first Gray Catbird. It was totally silent, but the quiet won’t last as soon as a number of them come to nest. Then I will more likely hear than see them.
Not to be outdone by the Palms, another Yellow-rumped Warbler.
I was going to end the post here, but because the last few days have been increasingly birdy and I am accumulating too many photos already, I have decided to include Friday morning’s visit to Riverside as well.
That morning, before I left, I put out my oriole feeder. Moments after I came back inside, I looked out the kitchen window and saw a male Baltimore Oriole on the feeder. He had first been attracted to the hummingbird feeders that I had put out the night before, but then he saw his preferred color and got busy. I managed to get a few photos through the back porch windows.
When I got to Riverside and parked my car by the Hofmann Tower, I looked out on the rock “island” and saw a Solitary Sandpiper.
This time I walked first on the Swan Pond side of the river following the paved trail. I spotted a Pine Warbler.
Then I encountered a Yellow-rumped Warbler who thought he looked spectacular in a Redbud tree. I agreed and took too many photos of him. Here’s one.
A Great Blue Heron flew to the top of a tree on the other side of the river to survey his options.
The male Eastern Bluebird who knows me came to say hello.
While I was paying attention to the Bluebird, the Great Blue Heron decided to try fishing on my side of the river.
I took note of what appears to be a female Yellow-rumped Warbler.
I found a White-throated Sparrow on the dirt trail that leads to the library. I then stopped to have an engaging conversation with a man who was fishing at the bend in the river.
As I approached the swinging bridge, I heard and saw an Eastern Phoebe. Not far from him, perched on a cable of the bridge was a Tree Swallow making chattering sounds. I mused that they were exchanging bug stories and did a quick recording on my phone (below). The Eastern Phoebe sings his name, “Fee-bee.”
An American Robin thought I should take its picture as it stood on one leg.
On the trail, I sat down on a fallen log and after a moment or two, a male Common Yellowthroat popped up in front of me.
I also got a very good look at a Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
One more Ruby-crowned Kinglet
I finished walking Riverside Lawn with a Black-capped Chickadee, two Downy Woodpeckers and another White-throated Sparrow.
Other highlights of Friday morning’s walk were several more conversations with humans. Maybe we are all eager to talk with each other a little bit more these days. I am always ready to trade bird and (when appropriate) music stories. Spring migration gives us all something to look forward to.
Here’s one more photo of that hammy Yellow-rumped Warbler. I hope to be back soon as there’s lots more to report. Warmer temperatures and rain are in the forecast this week. More birds are on their way.
It’s been a busy birding week and fall warbler migration is only getting started, but I’m already having a hard time keeping up. To add to my confusion, with the pool closed, the break in my routine is making it harder to figure out what day it is. But I have started getting up earlier to join bird walks and I will start leading Saturday walks tomorrow through the second week in October. It’s beginning to look like fall, even if it doesn’t feel like it just yet.
These photographs are from August 31st at Riverside, and I have also added the rest of the birds from August 26th at the same location.
I was happy to see a very cooperative Northern Waterthrush on Wednesday.
American Redstarts are the most numerous and well-distributed fall warbler species so far. I have seen them every day. The one immediately below looks like a first-year male.
Also fairly common are Magnolia Warblers like the one at the top of the post and below.
I discovered something about Blackpoll Warblers I never realized before. Apparently they all have orange toes – so when stumped by a decision between whether you are looking at a Blackpoll or a Bay-breasted, if you can see orange toes, that solves the problem. I was delighted to find photos showing beautiful orange toes. This is nearly impossible to see in the field, however.
I have also seen Golden-winged Warblers all week, starting on Tuesday morning at Columbus Park with Henry G.’s walk. They seem to have all come into the area at once and I have seen them everywhere I have been. I’m sneaking this photo in from Tuesday as it is the best one I have of the whole bird.
Below is another Golden-winged I just barely captured the next morning at Riverside.
Cape May Warblers seem to be numerous this season.
And not a day goes by without a Tennessee Warbler.
Below is a barely-captured Black-and-white Warbler
Thrushes are starting to appear as well. This is a Swainson’s Thrush.
Juvenile Gray Catbirds can’t get enough of the camera. They demand attention.
I don’t think this molting Northern Cardinal wanted to be seen like this but I couldn’t help myself.
In answer to the question, “Where have all the blackbirds gone?”, I have seen huge flocks all week at Riverside.
And Cedar Waxwings are on the move in flocks as well.
I have a feeling House Wrens will be gone soon but the youngsters are still around.
And Great Egrets are busy fishing. The water level has improved in the river.
I will try to come back sooner and more frequently, as the birds just keep coming. I also have some stored surprises still to share. We are starting out very warm going into the Labor Day weekend, with a promise of cooler weather after tomorrow. We could see a lot more warblers with winds from the north.
This is the last of the fallout warblers from Tuesday morning but I have added a few more to my migration sightings, so I will have to round those up next. I suspect that after feasting most if not all the warblers I encountered on Tuesday resumed their journey to their breeding grounds, with no interruption from the weather to slow them down. And some of the Yellow Warblers will be staying.
There were only a few Black-throated Green Warblers.
Warbling Vireos are abundant but will not be so easy to see once the leaves take over.
The White-breasted Nuthatches have been noticeably quiet, so I can’t count them until I see them.
There was still enough water left in the fluddle for the two Solitary Sandpipers that were hanging out,
Scarlet Tanagers are always noticeable. I have seen them several times this season so I will be back with more captures.
Remember Palm Warblers? I think they are probably all gone but there were still several on Tuesday.
A few more of the last Palm Warblers…
Here’s the female Blackpoll Warbler that Vera identified after it snuck in with the Palms. Thanks, Vera!
A warbler I don’t see very often, a Northern Waterthrush, is a likely bird around the river.
Below is the last Pine Warbler I saw. They were earlier than other species but now are considered late. According to my Sibley app this is a likely first-year female.
Gray Catbirds have been very easy to see this spring. They’ve been quite vocal too.
Finally there’s food for flycatchers.
Eastern Phoebe
There were two Eastern Kingbirds sallying for prey from high perches over the river that day.
It was nice to see a couple Cedar Waxwings. While I once say them kiting for insects in large numbers, more likely I will see them congregating in fruiting trees later.
I’m always up for a Blue Jay if it’s sitting still.
I will be back with more warblers and other species as spring migration continues. In a way I am thankful things have slowed down a bit.
It’s been almost 3 months, which seems hard to believe, but this is a more historical account from McGinnis Slough for birds seen on September 19th, when the slough looked more like a marsh at best. Yet there was more bird activity and a couple less common sightings.
It started off inauspiciously with a European Starling.
But at some point I found a Northern Waterthrush, which is a warbler species I haven’t seen in a long time. They aren’t particularly rare but they don’t travel around in warbler flocks and are often close to water and the ground.
One of my first White-throated Sparrows of the season was in the grass.
Perhaps the bird of the day as far as offering itself up for photographs was Palm Warbler.
Among the land birds was this Swainson’s Thrush.
The Double-Crested Cormorant below gave me several expressions of its flight pattern.
More views of the faded-looking Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly at the top of the post.
I never know exactly where I can expect to see a Great Blue Heron here but I practically always do.
More flying birds to capture – a Great Egret and, of all things, a Blue Jay or two, which don’t normally make themselves so available.
Two warblers – a Nashville and then below, a female Common Yellowthroat.
I saw Gray Catbirds at this location more than once.
The light played interesting tricks on these two Wood Ducks flying through the marsh.
The rose mallow flowers seemed late and sparse but they prevailed.
A Yellow-rumped Warbler blending in below.
More flying birds. Cedar Waxwings directly below, and below them, the inevitable Canada Geese.
A couple views of the parched-looking slough.
And a closer-cropped view of the Great Egret seen in the flight sequence above, after it landed.
I have been seeing some amazing birds all week which has kept me more than busy. Even though migration has slowed down, there are still birds to be seen. I will be back as soon as possible with more recent sightings.
Too many birds, too many pictures and not enough time. How can that be? I give up, at least for the moment. Yesterday’s summery sunshiny weather produced some wonderful encounters with birds that simply cannot wait. Pushing all my other planned posts, aside, here we go!
Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers have arrived in abundance and were generally the first to distract me. They are notoriously difficult to photograph but yesterday was the exception. In the sequence below this perched bird, I happened upon a Blue-Gray at waist-level, focused on obtaining web filaments for its nest.
It was a treat to see this Swainson’s Thrush, however briefly..
Another skulker I don’t think I’ve ever seen here before was the Northern Waterthrush below. I was sitting down on a rock-like seat that looks over the water and noticed something moving.
Every year when I hear House Wrens I have to refigure them out, I don’t know why. And then they just sing ad infinitum before I ever see one. I managed to glimpse this one way up high in a treetop.
Not that I’m lacking for pictures, but this Tree Swallow didn’t make it into the last post and is here to represent the ones I saw yesterday but did not get a chance to photograph.
So now we come to the highlight of my day. It had been a sort of slow morning, actually, compared to the day before – which I hope to get around to in a not-too-distant future post – and I was a bit disappointed that I was seeing hardly any warblers. I speculated maybe the warm and calm winds on Saturday night were favorable to migrants continuing their voyages north and they weren’t stopping if they didn’t have to. So as I walked slowly back down the trail from where I’d seen the Waterthrush, I stopped when I heard a call that might be described as a sneezy trill followed by raspberries. It had been so long since I studied warbler calls, I wasn’t sure, so I checked the Sibley app on my phone as quietly as possible, and sure enough, I was in the presence of a Blue-Winged Warbler. I haven’t seen more than an unsatisfying glimpse of a Blue-Winged in years. So when two of them showed up in front of me, I was temporarily transported to bliss, away from the extra weight of being human lately. I could almost hear them saying “Hey, lady, nice Portage you got here.”
Among the other creatures coming back to life at the Portage, turtles and frogs.
Painted Turtle
There was this Chorus Frog American Toad crossing the trail. He sang for me. I have placed a brief recording of his song below him. Unfortunately, there’s a slow-moving freight train in the background. – Thanks to my friend Leslie, I have been corrected. I thought he looked more like a toad but I didn’t know toads sing!
In the sparrow department, a Chipping Sparrow, one of several elusive but very vocal Song Sparrows and a couple somewhat backlit photos of a Swamp Sparrow.
Most numerous at the moment are probably the White-Throated Sparrows but they’re just passing through.
White-Throated Sparrow
Warbling Vireos are back in force. I heard more on Saturday than I did yesterday but I managed to slightly photograph this one.
Warbling VireoNorthern Cardinal in a nice spot, if distant
A Great Blue Heron flew right over my head.
Two common species of butterfly have been around this week, the Painted Lady and the Red Admiral.
Baltimore Orioles have arrived. I wonder if they’re possibly the same ones that visited my yard for the last time on Friday (I had three at once).
I was almost at the parking lot when I heard, and then saw, three Indigo Buntings – on the paved trail. They must have just arrived – getting their bearings, so to speak, because I have never seen them so tame. I’m sure I’ll be struggling to get any pictures of them the rest of the breeding season.
Here’s another Indigo Bunting I saw a bit earlier.
One of many singing male American Goldfinches
Ruby-Crowned Kinglets are still around, although I think these must be the females as I haven’t seen a red crown patch on any individuals for a week or more. But this one sure is a cutie.
A few views of the landscape.
Turtles basking in the sun.
The Portage is starting to green up. Pretty soon the water will be entirely green with duck weed.
This has to be my favorite photograph – the Blue-Winged showing off his worm.
Maybe you can tell I’ve been writing this post in fits and starts. It’s a bit disorganized because I inadvertently clicked on the “group” feature which seems to have cemented some unintended parts together, but I’m too lazy to start over again.
We have dropped thirty degrees back into cooler temperatures, and I guess that’s okay for Monday, but I want to hold onto the beauty of this past weekend as long as possible. I am thankful for spring migration and for my indoor birds, making it easier to get out of bed in the morning – albeit earlier and earlier as the days get longer!
I almost could have called it “Suddenly This Summer” because on May 1 we skipped spring and went straight into summer temperatures by noon. But along with the sudden push of warm air from the south came a lot of migrating birds, and after all, it was finally the real start to Spring Migration.
As luck would have it I was near the lakefront for the last part of the stem cell procedure on my right knee, which consisted of a blood draw early in the morning and then having a few hours before a return to the doctor’s office for the final injection. I realized the location’s potential the week before when I had the major procedure done. The medical building is virtually right across the street from North Pond, which is a favorite hot spot with lakefront birders. The week before it was blustery and cold with only a few of the hardiest migrants. But now I had a birder in my friend Lesa to whom I am grateful for being my chauffeur for the day. I was walking without crutches if moving slowly, but I was walking, and slow is generally good for birding. The slower you move, the more birds you eventually will see. And seeing birds was a great distraction from whatever pain I was feeling.
Perhaps the first warblers to greet us were four or five Ovenbirds poking about in the grass. Even though the weather was warmer, the trees and accompanying insects had not caught up with it yet and so a lot of birds were foraging on the ground for something to eat. The ground is an Ovenbird’s preferred foraging spot anyway. Ovenbirds can be nearly impossible to see on their breeding grounds, but in migration on the lakefront they are all over the place this year. I have seen them since everywhere I go for midday walks near my workplace.
Then it seemed there were Black-Throated Green Warblers everywhere.
Predictably, especially in the grass, were Palm Warblers. A note about these pictures, being my first warbler photographs of the season. The morning started off a bit overcast, and then I had only my 75-300mm lens as it seemed ridiculous to be carrying around anything larger in my compromised condition, so I didn’t get quite the clarity I wanted for many of these birds. But it was just such a joyous way to spend a medical day and provided an extra therapeutic perk altogether.
I am always so happy to see a Lincoln’s Sparrow. It’s not quite rare, but you never see more than one of them at a time, and they’re such delicate-looking little birds.
Yellow-Rumped Warblers were predictable, but not easy to capture as they frantically searched for food.
Our look at the Pine Warbler below was brief, but this is a more unusual species in migration so I am glad I got this shot.
The three species below are Yellow, Black-and-White, and Nashville Warblers.
Another spring migrant that seems to be showing up in force is the Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher.
Meanwhile, on their way out were Golden-Crowned Kinglet on the left and Ruby-Crowned Kinglet on the right, below.
Then there are the migrating Thrushes. Two below are a Swainson’s Thrush on the left and a Gray-Cheeked Thrush on the right.
Swainson’s Thrush
Gray-Cheeked Thrush
I have been out since last Tuesday and have a lot more pictures to process and share with you, but it’s been really difficult to get caught up. All I can say is every day I’m a little bit better and there have even been a few moments when I’ve forgotten about my knee altogether!
White-Crowned Sparrow
Below, two glimpses of a female Eastern Towhee…
I will be back soon with more from Instant Spring Migration. Until then, spring on!
Here are a few pictures taken at various times over the past few weeks, all in downtown Chicago…
Tennessee Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
I never manage to see enough of any one species to tire of them. Although Tennessee Warblers often appear abundant, they are not always easy to capture. For comparison with a species they resemble, I have an Orange-Crowned Warbler below.
Orange-Crowned Warbler
There seemed to be fewer birds altogether this year, but I don’t know if it is due to loss of habitat, weather patterns, being in the wrong place at the wrong time or a combination of all three.
Northern Waterthrush
I frequently see Northern Waterthrushes on the ground, but less often perched in trees.
Kentucky Warbler
The day I saw the Kentucky Warbler, there were so few birds altogether at Lake Shore East Park I wasn’t even aware I had seen this rarity until I checked my photographs later. The bird kept ducking in and out of hydrangeas planted near the east end of the park and I was consumed with trying to stop it long enough for a picture.
American Redstart
First-year male American Redstarts seem to be born exhibitionists, on the other hand.
Blackpoll Warbler
This Blackpoll was pretty cooperative too on the day I saw it.
Common Yellowthroat
And Common Yellowthroats, as difficult as they are to see on their breeding grounds…are frequent park visitors.
Hermit Thrush
A Hermit Thrush reminding me It’s The Food, Stupid.
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
At 155 N. Wacker there haven’t been very many birds, but last week there was this sapsucker scaling a wall.
White-Crowned Sparrow
And a White-Crowned Sparrow popped out last week at a new spot on the river that looks promising for future visits.
City Frog
Perhaps the strangest thing I saw this fall was a frog in the corner of one of these wrought-iron-encased planters on Randolph near Wacker. How it got there boggles the mind.
It’s time to say goodbye to the warblers until spring. But many more sparrows are likely to be showing up. I’m thankful for that because they tend to be easier to see! And at least I can always carry on a conversation with White-Throated Sparrows.
Apologies to all my followers for not posting sooner (and all those I follow for not showing up), but I have been busy with work and trying to spend every free moment paying attention to birds indoors and out, so by the time I get around to reviewing photos I fall asleep. So there have been about 10 potential blog posts running out of my head over the last two weeks before I could hang onto them.
American Redstart, 155 N. Wacker Drive
So before I fell asleep again last night as it was past my bed time, I decided to simply share with you some of my favorite subjects over the past week from a couple city parks and green spaces. Except for the Least Flycatcher, I have limited this post to warbler species.
Black-Throated Green Warbler, Union Station
Black-Throated Green Warbler, Union Station
The first day I found the Black-Throated Green Warbler at Union Station, there was also a Black-Throated Blue Warbler singing and a Baltimore Oriole singing as well. Actually it was the Baltimore Oriole’s song that drew my attention to the now-fenced-in-for-no-obvious-reason garden area. The fact that the garden area was inaccessible to me and the smokers who like to sit on the benches probably made it more attractive to the bugs and the birds who were eating them. I did not get a great picture of the Black-Throated Blue, but was glad to see him. The Oriole was coy but uncooperative.
Male Common Yellowthroat, Lake Shore East Park
Lake Shore East Park has been my most constant afternoon destination, and there were a couple good days, but it doesn’t seem as birdy as last year or the year before. The weather has been a factor all spring too, with alternating warm fronts and cold fronts confusing everything. We are presently about thirty degrees cooler than we were on Monday. Monday was hot.
Least Flycatcher, Lake Shore East Park
Least Flycatchers were fairly common for a couple days. Catbirds have been regular sightings in every nook and cranny.
Gray Catbird, Lake Shore East Park
Male American Redstarts come in two plumages. The first-year males still look a bit like the females, only orangey instead of a paler yellow. The after-first-year males are black and orange-red.
American Redstart
American Redstart, first-year male
Hardly a day has gone by that I have not seen or heard a Northern Waterthrush. I usually see them on the lawn, so it was nice to catch one resting on a branch.
Northern Waterthrush, Lake Shore East Park
Ovenbirds are still around, too.
Ovenbird, Millennium Park
Spring would not be spring without male Magnolia Warblers.
Magnolia Warbler, Millennium Park
Magnolia Warbler, Millennium Park
Redstarts are everywhere now. The adult males seem to like to show off.
Below is a first-year male, looking eager to start his first breeding season.
I hope to get another post or two in order over the Memorial Day weekend (thunderstorms are predicted for Memorial Day). As always I think I will be able to conquer my entire to-do list because I have an extra day. So far Saturday’s weather looks best, so that will be a birding day. Passerine migration is nearly over, but I need proof.
Up until the arrival of the famous Harris’s Sparrow in Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden, I was routinely spending my late afternoon lunch hours in Lake Shore East Park. The two parks are not very far away from each other, but there is much less foot or tourist traffic in Lake Shore East Park, so I have been going there more often. Which is not to say it lacks people. There are frequently people walking their dogs or children in baby strollers.
Hermit Thrushes – I counted 11 individuals at one time (here’s 4 of them)
I have been trying to write this post since October 9. On that day, the most numerous birds in the park were predictably White-Throated Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes. The Hermit Thrushes were the largest group I have ever seen. Even going back the next day I counted 12 of them.
Perhaps you’ve seen Robins pull worms out of the earth, but this is the first time I’ve caught a Hermit Thrush in the act.
Hermit
Juncos have shown up here and there, although not in numbers yet.
Dark-Eyed Junco
The fountains have been shut down for the winter, leaving their rocky bottoms free for exploration.
White-Throated Sparrow
Other birds I saw that day were two Brown Creepers and an American Redstart. I did not get photographs of them, though. So here’s a couple more of Hermit Thrushes. The remaining pictures except for the last one are from October 1, but they were also taken in Lake Shore East Park.
Hermit Thrush
But my most pleasant encounter on October 9 was a human one. Soon after I arrived at the park, a woman walking her dog approached me and asked about my camera equipment. This is the second time this month I have met people this way: Canon must have put some new elixir in the 70D! We got to talking about photography and birds and then she let it slip that she was from the East Coast and amazed to see a Redstart in this small park in the city. She said she was in town to sing at the opera.
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Lake Shore East Park
A brief cloud of Opera Guilt wafted over me. (I was a subscriber for several years but gave it up along with my other subscriptions a few years ago because I realized I no longer had the time or energy to do everything, so it was time to focus on birds and music.) When I told her the birds have taken over my life she understood. Then I thought to myself surely I should maybe recognize her but you rarely get to see an opera singer out of costume. I asked, and she said she was Stephanie Blythe. I confirmed later that she is singing Il Trovatore at the Lyric Opera. I didn’t faint, but I will say I haven’t had a brush with fame in many, many years…!
Golden-Crowned Kinglet, Lake Shore East Park
Stephanie stopped me again to ask me about a bird or two she had seen (one turned out to be one of the Creepers I saw later after I talked to her) and I felt so lucky to have made her acquaintance. She also seemed happy to have found a kindred spirit. But as excited as I was to have met her, I was reluctant to write about it, right away. I didn’t want her to be mobbed by opera fanatics. (In retrospect, I’m thinking very few people even know the park exists.)
Northern Waterthrush with bug, Lake Shore East Park
As it turns out I did not see Stephanie again (turning in ebird lists I was tempted to note “no opera singers today” but restrained myself). Chances are her rehearsal schedule and my work schedule kept us from running into each other again. But listening to the Operathon on WFMT on Saturday, October 11th, there was an offer for two tickets to any opera, and a choice of dates, with seats on the first floor, for a donation, the amount of which was much less than the cost of the tickets. This was too good to pass up: it would be wonderful to use this as an opportunity to see Stephanie sing. I have heard her on the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, but was no longer a subscriber by the time she started singing at the Lyric.
Common Grackle
So I got tickets for opening night for Il Trovatore, an opera I have never seen. I am taking my friend from the former workplace: it will be her first opera. The way this whole thing has turned out really feels like kismet or karma or something.
White-Crowned Sparrow
Ultimately I must give the birds credit for everything. They continue to enrich my life. The birds paid attention to the music, then enticed me into green spaces every day I can manage to hang out with them. The birds know a bird person, and I think kindred spirits do too. One more time, in an entirely new context, the birds have returned the favor and my attention to the music.
The three species below are Yellow, Black-and-White, and Nashville Warblers.
