On Saturday while on a bird walk led by my friend, we saw a Belted Kingfisher but I was unable to get a good photo so I went back to see if I could spot them again at the West Ridge Nature Preserve. No luck but I did see a very punk rock like Hooded … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: In Search of a Kingfisher and finally a decent pic of a Flicker!
Around Chicago and Illinois
Adventures in Birding: Prairie Chickens and Hawks in Southern Illinois…and a fw American White Pelicans
I signed up for an Illinois Audubon field trip to see Prairie Chickens at the Prairie Ridge Natural Area in Newton, Illinois. Every spring the males do a bit of a dance to attract the ladies. Normally they would have us all gather in a blind to get closer but due to Covid this wasn't … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: Prairie Chickens and Hawks in Southern Illinois…and a fw American White Pelicans
Adventures in Birding: Spring Migration has Sprung
Whenever I've had the chance, I've been getting out to practice my birding nad bird photography! Unfortunately, my camera didn't seem to be focusing well and it took me a bit to figure out what was going on. I dropped it back in June and was able to get it repaired but I think the … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: Spring Migration has Sprung
Montrose Harbor and Point-Winter 2021
Post blizzard and pre brutally cold temperatures I made it out to the lakefront with my repaired camera to capture some bird images. Looking forward to getting back into my new found hobby that I started last May and put on hold while my camera was on the fritz. Not at that point yet where … Continue reading Montrose Harbor and Point-Winter 2021
Some local birds, plants, and other critters
Pics from Montrose and McCormick Bird Sanctuaries. Bird wise, just the local year rounders. A Mourning Dove, European Starlings, American Goldfinches and a House Finch.
Adventures in Birding: Montrose Harbor
Now that the lakefront is somewhat opened up, Banita and I headed north to Montrose Harbor where she found a lovely bench to read and I headed out to see what feathery friends I could find that day. Banita enjoying her bench time. Cedar Wax Wing I think this is a juvenile robin A very … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: Montrose Harbor
DIY MS Ride on the I&M Canal near Morris, Illinois.
I signed up to do the MS Tour de Farms ride with my friend, Jen. Covid nixed the big event but we rode our miles anyway along with Jen's friend, Kathryn, whom it turns out I have mutual connections with via the ever small lesbian world. Anyway, here are some pictures along the route. I … Continue reading DIY MS Ride on the I&M Canal near Morris, Illinois.
I begin birding in earnest: Morraine Hills State Park, Volo Bog State Natural Area, Orland Grasslands, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and Chicago Parks
We were called back to work on May 20th but I had previously scheduled vacation time so decided to keep it so I could visit more parks and practice with the Nikon P900 camera I had rented. It was recommended to me by my birding mentor, Scott Judd, because it has a wicked zoom. Nothing … Continue reading I begin birding in earnest: Morraine Hills State Park, Volo Bog State Natural Area, Orland Grasslands, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, and Chicago Parks
Nachusa Grasslands and Lowden State Park
As I had mentioned previously, I was going to try to visit some nearby nature preserves to quell my need to travel. One of the first I visited was Nachusa Grasslands which is about an hour and a half from Chicago. My goal was to get there as the sun was rising but that would … Continue reading Nachusa Grasslands and Lowden State Park
Henry Palisamo Nature Park
I rode by this park about a year ago and finally got a chance to check it out during my COVID time off. It's a quick 20 minute bike ride from my apartment, located in the Bridgeport neighborhood. For non-Chicagoans, think Daley's and the White Sox. Also known as Stearns Quarry, it served as a … Continue reading Henry Palisamo Nature Park
