My Birding Is Fun! June post, Magnificent Warblers!, featured many of the gorgeous, colorful warblers seen throughout the bird migration season here in the Midwest. This post will highlight several other species spotted during this time period. All these stunning birds were photographed either in the city of Chicago, on our La Porte, Indiana property, or in Berrien County, Michigan.
Always a welcome sight on our property in La Porte ~ Baltimore Oriole
A lively Blue-gray Gnatcatcher seeks insects in the brush
A Curve-billed Thrasher ruffles its feathers after a torrential downpour
So far, this is my best rare bird sighting of 2014. Curve-billed Thrashers are most often seen in the southwestern United States and in a large portion of Mexico. This golden-eyed visitor was observed over two weeks in June at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Chicago.
A radiant beauty! ~ Scarlet Tanager
A tail-bobbing Solitary Sandpiper seeks nutrition
A striking Horned Grebe in full breeding plumage finery
A handsome Pileated Woodpecker searches for insects amid fallen tree debris
Posing pretty surrounded by pink blossoms ~ Cedar Waxwing
A Brown Thrasher forages near the woods edge
A lovely Veery searches for insects in the forest underbrush
A brilliant Indigo Bunting visits our koi pond in Chicago
Foraging for insects ~ Rose-breasted Grosbeak
A curious look ~ Golden-crowned Kinglet
Posted by Julie Gidwitz ~ Nature's Splendor - http://naturessplendor-julie.blogspot.com/
So many great birds! That horned grebe is amazing in his breeding feathers. We just see him in the winter when he's gray and black.
ReplyDeleteThat's a Solitary Sandpiper, not a Spotted.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly for the correction. Yes, that is indeed a Solitary Sandpiper.
DeleteThat's certainly a beautiful collection. That Indigo Bunting is certainly striking.
ReplyDeleteDang!!!! Nailed everyone of those tricky birds perfectly! Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteOh and......how in the world did a Curve-billed get up there!!!!???? Silly bird! There aren't any Cholla to hide inside:)
DeleteChris, I was wondering the same thing!
DeleteMagnificent photos.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many great birds today. I've never seen a gnatcatcher. Thanks for following!
ReplyDeleteA great selection of beautiful photos, so many pretty birds. I've never seen that Horned Grebe. Quite a showy bird, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMid-summer greetings to you Julie! This Sunday morning I’m catching up on the blogs I follow and, as always, it’s a joy to see your latest posts on Birding is Fun! and Nature’s Splendor. Your photos of birds are just exceptionally great. Not only is the composition great but your ability to deliver such delicate detail is amazing. To do this must take a lot of time. I have this idea that your birding outings involve hours and your patience is noticeable, because, without fail, you get wonderful shots! :-) I must also compliment you on your blog presentation … you really take it to the next level of blogging with your photo captions including the name of the bird and often a comment on the composition, such as, in this post, your Scarlet Tanager, “A radiant beauty!” Thank you, as always, for keeping an eye on John’s Island, and for your exceptionally kind comments. I only wish I could do a better job of acknowledging them and following up faster. Just know I always appreciate them. Hope you and your family are having a great summer. Take care and be well. John
ReplyDeleteJulie, wonderful photos as always! That's the bluest, Blue-gray gnat-catcher I have ever seen!
ReplyDelete