Finally getting to enjoy the Spring!

It was a very busy week for me. 4 tests within a week, I thought my brain was going to explode - luckily I got to get out last weekend & today.

First: on 5/10, I spotted a Hairy Woodpecker in the yard. He went to both feeders, I am kind of wondering if he's the same one that stopped in over the winter. Pics are blurry & dark because I took them through the window.





Last weekend I wanted to get out & clear my head, especially w/2 finals down & 2 to go. Hubby & I chose to go to near the lake. We stopped at a cemetery that my Chicago region book recommended called Rosehill Cemetery. It's a very big area, & has a pond in there as well. I personally didn't think we'd have much luck, I thought I was late at 1030(am). Saw a couple firsts for us: Brown Headed Cowbirds & a Black Crowned Night Heron. We weren't there very long.

Walking up to the pond we were greeted by this family of 5:


Then mama duck & her babies came over to check us out. They were too cute, they followed us as we walked around the pond.



Here they come...


& there they go...



Mama looked exhausted, she had her 'hands' full with this bunch of little explorers.


We were on the opposite side of the pond when the Night Heron came in





& the Brown-Headed Cowbird



Today I wanted to go to the Magic Hedge (also on the lake front). Last year when I was there several birders shared that there was an oriole & I never got to see it. I found one today! (actually saw 2 today, the other one was at another location altogether). I also found some warblers that I have not ID'd yet, but I am trying. (feel free to help me out!) Some pics from the Magic Hedge, some are blurry & some had to be lightened:














A young Blackbird?






A branch is in the way, but the coloring is beautiful!






On our way back we stopped to check out a preserve on Caldwell for a future visit, it was after 2:00pm, we didn't expect to see anything. We were just about to head back to the car when something told me to take a walk around. I'm glad I did! We found another Oriole & a few minutes later something else caught my eye, it was a Green Heron (another bird I've never seen before).





I was on the outlook for either a male Indigo Bunting or a Black & White Warbler, but no such luck. They were both on my original top 5 that I wanted to see when I first really discovered birding, along with the Cedar Waxwing, Red Headed Woodpecker & Pileated Woodpecker. So far, from that list, I have only found the Waxwing. I have a longer list now, but am truly happy with each bird I see.

Have a great weekend!

Winter Wren

I know they're considered common, but until today I have never seen one in the yard-so I'm counting him as a new yard bird. They're tiny little things, very cute.




Yesterday afternoon I had a female Towhee in the yard briefly.

The Catbird spent the whole day out there yesterday, he sampled the different flavors of suet, had a drink & took a bath. He was out there until dusk, returned early this morning & is still out there now. I know it's not the most brilliant colored bird one can have in their yard, but I must say I am adoring him & hope he stays. When I got home from work this morning I sat on the bench for awhile & it came to the suet feeder closest to me, so I got a good 'live' look at it.

Brown Thrasher was here again as well.

Have not seen the Grosbeak return, I hope he comes back & gives my yard another chance. Feeders were basically empty when he came by the first time, I don't think I made a good first impression on him.

Hubby has requested a Oriole (as if it's that easy), so I put out orange slices a couple days ago, no luck yet. All the activity has impressed the hubby. The birds used to be 'my thing' & he'd tag along, but I'm catching him in the window constantly. He's really good about hanging out w/me when I venture out beyond the yard - I think I have converted him.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Woodpeckers

I have to work tonight so I didn't want to go too far from the house. I decided to check out the local cemeteries in Forest Park that I read about from The Illinois Birding Forum. Of course being a rookie, I didn't know where to start. We only went in one area, we went through one that had a whole section under water. I saw a Downey, a pair of Northern Flickers (M&F- new for me), a Red-Bellied Woodpecker (male), White Throated Sparrows, Goldfinches, & several Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers. I will say that on our way out, I saw something land on the ground that was about the size of a sparrow & had a rusty/cinnamon coloring on it's back, it flew off before I could bring the cam to my eye.

Another new visitor in the yard - Gray Catbird

Woke up this morning to another new visitor. It hung out for quite awhile (until my neighbor mowed his lawn), didn't seem to mind that I was nearby on my bench watching him. & the Brown Thrasher returned for day #3.

Fun with cropping!

I kinda forgot that I can crop at 100%, here are some other pics from the yard this week...

Rose Breasted Grosbeak

I just had a male in the yard. So beautiful, have never seen them before. I've never had so much activity back there other than my regulars...









& look who else want to join in w/the feasting:
Is this a Coopers or a Sharp-shinned? I didn't get a look at the tail, or get a good pic of it either. I have the hardest time ID'ing hawks...





& these because the blue is so bright & beautiful!