October 5, 2013-It's Been Awhile

I've not been blogging very much lately. Here are a few pic's from today.

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Pine Warbler

Catbird and White-throated Sparrow

Unidentified Mushroom

Saturday September 7, 2013-A Bit Late

Some nice warbler action but tough to photograph. Here are the best of the day, a bit late.

Great Blue

Great Blue Heron

Mallards

Monarch Butterfly on Cone Flower

Mystery Bird? What is it?

Wednesday September 4, 2013-Lot's of Warbler's But Hard to Photograph

It was a great weather day with lots of warblers and tough to get a photo.

Cooper's Hawk 

Cape May Warbler

Cedar Waxwing

Great Blue Heron

Saturday August 31, 2013-Warblers Beginning to Arrive

Although I didn't get any good shots of warblers today-too dark and the birds were foraging very high, there were plenty of warblers around. Tennessee, Redstarts, Cape May, Wilson's, Magnolia, Blackpoll were observed. Someone had fun today putting together some nature art. We watched a DVD "Birding  Central Park Effect" last night. I wonderful film that strikes home in Jackson Park. A most for all birders.

Native Art

Live

Peace

Be Happy

Smile!

Our favorite Black-crowned Night Heron

You can get mighty close to this heron

Crows mobbing a Cooper's Hawk

     

Cooper's Hawk attacking Swifts

Cormorants at the Cormorant Tree

Wasp in the Rose Garden

Black-eyed Susan

Wednesday August 28, 2013-Some Interesting Birds and a Hummingbird Moth

Not too many migrants. However hundreds of Swifts feeding on the water surface (too difficult to capture with the camera). Next time I'll do a Youtube. The Hummingbird Moth was a highlight. I forgot to Youtube it, maybe next time. It turns out that the moth is the same species that we see in abundance in Borrego Springs California (not every year). So many, that Swainson's Hawks by the hundreds spend part of spring migration gorging on the caterpillar stage of the moth. I will update the blog with a photo of the hawks on the ground. We have had as many as 1800 hawks in the same area. You can see the blog for Borrego Springs at: Borregohawkwatch.blogspot.com

Great Crested Flycatcher

Catbird with seeds

Catbird

Hummingbird Moth-White-lined Sphinx Moth

Hummingbird Moth-Compass Plant

Hummingbird Moth

Swainson's Hawks eating Sphinx Moth Caterpillars in Borrego Springs, California

Koi in the Osaka Garden Pond

Finally a shot of the Museum without 1700 Building in the background-foggy day

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly

You want to go through? Pay the toll!

Six of  8 Wooducks and a Mallard

Magnolia Warbler-1st of the fall

Few Birds But Great Butterflies Wednesday August 21, 2013

It was very quiet yesterday on Wooded Island and adjacent areas. No warbler species but some nice butterfly sightings. The Koi are part of the group of 26 in the Osaka Garden. Here is a link to a Youtube of a Monarch Butterfly-http://youtu.be/GKdJl9kaUTs

Juvenile Night Heron-Osaka Garden

Night Heron Food-No, Too Big-Osaka Garden

The Watchers at a new sculpture

Cabbage Butterfly

Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly

Saturday August 10, 2013-Perfect Weather and Waiting For Migrants

Today was pleasant and we are still waiting for fall migrants. Some nice shots of butterflies on the Butterfly Bush near the golf course. Visitors from Florida and Colorado today.

Green Heron

Cardinal

Cardinal in Flight

American Goldfinch

Eastern Kingbird

Female Monarch Butterfly

Female Spicebush Butterfly on Butterfly Bush

End of the day at the Music Bridge