Very Slow Fall Migration August 29, 2012

Although migration seems to be slow, we had some nice views of a Red-breasted Nuthatch (perhaps 5 sightings today), hawks including Red-tailed, Cooper's, a likely Sharpshin and a possible Red-shouldered. A few Swainson's Thrushes were observed along with close looks at a first year male Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Raccoon tracks were found in the Rose Garden and a nice White-tailed Dragonfly in Bob-O-Link Meadow. 

Back view of a Cooper's Hawk in the Rose Garden-8/29/12-HC

A Red-tailed Hawk in the Magic Tree-8/29/12-HC

Red-breasted Nuthatch-8/29/12-HC

Rose-breasted Grosbeak-8/29/12-HC

1st year male Ruby-throated Hummingbird-8/29/12-HC

Raccoon Prints in Rose Garden-8/29/12-HC

White-tailed Dragonfly-8/29/12-HC

Very Warm With a Little Action August 25, 2012

Cape May Warbler-8/25/12-HC

 A warm day with some action and good close looks at a Phoebe. The insects continue to utilize the Swamp Milkweed in the Rose Garden.

Sharing the perches-Baltimore Oriole and Robin 8/25/12-HC

Sharing the Swamp Milkweed-Wasp, bee and aphids 8/25/12-HC

Phoebe with a caterpillar-8/25/12-HC

Phoebe-8/25/12-HC

Phoebe preening-8/25/12-HC

A Pleasant Day With Several Tennessee Warblers-August 22, 2012

If this is a Northern Shoveler, It's Mighty Early-8/22/12-HC

Can't Get Enough Green Heron Shots-8/22/12-HC

Painted Turtle-8/22/12-HC

Blue-fronted Dancer Damselfly-8/22/12-HC

Insect Gall 8/22/12-HC

We had a mess of Tennessee Warblers on the east walk in what I call the elderberry patch. Damselflies were numerous in the forest to the north of Bobolink Meadow. I better change the name of the blog to Birds/ Insects and Flowers. The Green Herons of Wooded Island and adjacent areas are everywhere and an easy subject for photography-love em.  If the Shoveler is indeed a Shoveler, it is mighty early. 

Migration Picking up-August 18, 2012

Wasp Species on Swamp Milkweed-8/18/12-HC

Skipper on Swamp Milkweed-8/18/12-HC

Black Swallowtail Male 8/18/12-HC

Amberwing Dragonfly 8/18/12-HC

Nice view of the Red-shouldered Hawk that is hanging around 8/18/12-HC

We had a nice walk today with 6 species of warblers, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a great show from the Red-shouldered Hawk. Lots of insects on display. The Swamp Milkweed has attracted many insects.

Warblers beginning to show up 8/15/12

Yellow Cone Flower-8/15/12-HC

Cormorants with the Japanese Garden in the background 8/15/12-HC

Not the best shot of a probable Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk 8/15/12-HC

Goal Keeper

Today we had a few warblers show up including Black and White, Black-throated Green (earliest fall date), Tennessee and Yellow. Lots of Cormorants and a Juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk (Flight shot) were observed as well. Prairie flowers are looking great in both the Bobolink Meadow and the new Prairie Garden in the Rose Garden.

August 11, 2012-Cormorant up close today

Cormorant with tongue-8/11/12-HC

1st year Cormorant-8/11/12-HC

Male Monarch on Bergermot-8/11/12-HC

From Darrow Bridge we had some nice looks at a close-up Cormorant. And a Monarch on Bergermot.

Bird Perches-August 8/12

Flickers and Robins-8/8/12-HC

Cormorant-8/8/12-HC

Cedar Waxwing 8/8/12-HC

Great Blue Heron-8/8/12-HC

All of the shots were taken on Wed. August 8, 2012 to illustrate the importance of wood perches on Wooded Island.

August 8, 2012-Good day for insects and birds

Wasp on Swamp Milkweed and a moth or butterfly?-8/8/12-HC

Getting ready to step out-8/8/12-HC

Green Heron Stepping out-8/8/12-HC

Museum of Science and Industry/Called Fine Arts Building in 1893-8/8/12-HC

Wednesday August 8, was great for insects and birds. I'll have to split the photo's up with another blog this evening. I'd like to share the importance of dead wood for perches in the next blog. I can't seem to get enough of the Green Heron's that hang out in the Japanese Garden. A reminder of a hike/lecture of White City on Saturday 8/11/12 at 10:00A starting from 59th and Stoney Island. It's a 3 hour 4.5 mile walk. I'll work on an ID for the insects this evening.

Highlights for today's Wooded Island Walk 8/1/12

Buckeye Flower 8/1/12-HC

Male Indigo Bunting-8/1/12-HC

Cardinal singing from Magic Tree next to "The Path" 8/1/12

Juvenile Cowbird begging from a female Indigo Bunting 8/1/12-HC

Monarch on Swamp Milkweed in Rose Garden-8/1/12-HC

Unknown Plant in Bob-O-Link Meadow-Tomato family? 8/1/12-HC

A pleasant walk today with a few highlights. We walked the "new path" down the middle. Not many birds encountered but found the path to be acceptable. Too bad that chips will be put down to sterilize it. We could use some help with the unknown plant above.