Baby Robin

This morning when I looked outside, I saw what looked like a blob under the patio table.

Upon closer inspection this is what I saw.

Naturally, I had to get my camera out and take a few pictures.

I am hiding!

Did I do a good job of hiding?

I am ready for my closeup!

Should I use this side for my closeup?

Maybe I should be a little farther back.

Mom is looking and calling for me.

Or, I should stand up.

Mom found me.

She can always find me.  She is a good Mom.

It was fun to be able to watch the baby and Mom interact.
A little while later they flew off together.

I hope you are having a great day!
Mary

Another bird walk

This appears to be the Clymene Haploa Moth

The bike path at Les Arends Forest Preserve

I think this is a baby Baltimore Oriole

This baby bird looks like it just came out of the water.

A pair of baby Cowbirds.

Red-winged blackbirds are in abundance.

Juvenile Canada Goose
Look how the markings of the head are beginning to show up.

Parent feeding a juvenile.
Tree Swallow

Turtles sunning themselves on the Fox River.

Baby Red-winged blackbird

The geese were moving right along.

Juvenile Mourning Doves

Male Red-winged Blackbirds.

Woodland Sunflower

Milkweed

Great Spangled Fritillary

Song Sparrow singing his heart out.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Coreopsis

There is another Heron Rookery a bit north of where we live.
I got the opportunity to check it out.  I know there were a lot more nest that we saw before the Spring, but I only saw this one today.
Does not look like any of these have fledged yet either.
Soon.
Have a great day.
Mary

Birding Adventures

The Herons at the Fox River Rookery, in Montgomery are growing up.
The males and females have been doing a great job.  

It does not appear that any of them have fledged yet, but I am sure it will be soon.

Great Egret
As I will driving along Orchard Road, I saw an area that looked like there were several egrets. It was now or never, so I checked it out.  I am so glad I did.  This is an Egret in breeding plumage.  Those feathers are beautiful.

There was a small stream, and the Herons and Egrets were a bit territorial. There are two Herons and one Egret.

This is what I could see from the other side of the pond.
All of the birds are in breeding homage.

Then in Batavia, I had to stop and check on our resident eagles.
I am believing that is Dad watching out for the two young ones.
The young eagles have not fledged yet, but are close.  They are trying out those huge wings.

The parents when not feeding the young stay close to the nest.

This is their nest, The power even the young ones have in those wings.

Stopped at another forest Preserve and came upon these two Northern Flickers.

Monarch Butterfly

Spiderwort

A dragonfly

Chipmunk was nice enough to stay still while I photographed him.
It was a beautiful day to out and about.  I enjoyed the walk and seeing birds.
Hope you have a lovely day.
Mary

Heron Rookery, on the Fox River, in Montgomery

This one was ready to launch.

There is a small rookery on the west side of the Fox River.  I love to visit and watch the Heron's
They now have young.  Birds grow so quickly.  Each of these nests have at least 2 young in them.
The parents are attentive.

You can see the century of this one.

Some of the young are checking out the world around them.

Almost every nest has a parent and chicks in it.

The nests are visible from the East side of the river, and the bridge of route 31 that crosses it.

It is amazing to watch.

The adult is ready to launch.

You can see some of the young on the right.

Parents.
At least once a week I go by the rookery to see what is happening.  I have been observing them since nesting started in late winter. All of these adult birds are in their breeding plumage.
This rookery has been here for several years.  The nests are reused each year.
Always interesting to see.
Mary