March Winds

Seems like a few people were taking advantage of the March winds and doing some precision kite-flying routines over on Northerly Island.

Feathered Friends: Open Wide and Say ...

... skee-dlees chis chis chis*

This is a Dickcissel. I think he's a classy looking bird. I think his coloring gives the impression that he's wearing an ascot and a snazzy yellow shirt with a grey vest. And he sings a lot. This one was at Northerly Island in downtown Chicago. More pictures of this little guy are at my bird watching blog which is here.


*Sibley's provides this as the phonetic spelling of this bird's song

What's Blooming?

Wildflowers! It's rather lovely over on Northerly Island. Here is a sampling of some of the flowers decorating the area.

(Click to enlarge the photo)

Feathered Friends: Do These Feathers Make Me Look Fat?

Sometimes I catch birds in rather amusing poses. I'd love it to be intentional but it is the random click of the shutter that gets them just at a moment they are doing something odd-looking. When I was going through the pictures from our recent trip to Northerly Island, this particular one of a Savannah Sparrow made me laugh. And the caption "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" popped into my head.

Here is the Savannah Sparrow in a more elegant pose. More pictures of the Savannah Sparrow at Northerly Island are at my birdwatching blog, here.

Feathered Friends: AAACK! A Camera

Caught this Killdeer in mid-squawk at Northerly Island. Killdeer can be rather loud little birds and have an interesting way of running and then suddenly sitting down in some grass as if to say "You can't see me now that I'm not moving."

A few more pictures of Killdeer are at my birdwatching blog, here.

Northerly Island Birdhouses

Northerly Island, formerly Miegs Field, is quietly becoming quite the nature and recreation area. Nice bike/running/walking paths exist and it is starting to attract migratory and resident birds. Last Friday, a slightly clouded sunset really brightened up the birdhouses that are along the shore.