Latest finds

Brown Thrasher has come to visit for a few days.

Our mallard pair is back.  He is watching over her.  Not sure if they have nested, as both have been coming to our feeders.  

We have a nest builder over our front porch light.

While in Paducah, I added purple martin to my life list.

Looks like we have a robin nesting in that light fixture.

Love to see the bluebirds.  This one was posing at the Morton Arboretum.

Brown-headed cowbirds.

Love those bluebells.

violets are always a sure sign of Spring.

Spring Beauty another sure sign of spring.

Sessile Bellwort is what I think, but now not so sure.

Spring is here!

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center

Okay, this isn't at Four Rivers, but on one of the roads I have traveled recently.  Geese, Canadian, are everywhere!

Snow Bunting on Ashley Road , on way to Morris.

Red-tailed Hawk on Ashley Road, on way to Morris.

One I got to the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, the first birds I saw was the American Coot. I have never been to this area, and thought as long as I was in Morris, Channanon was not that far away.

Mallards and Merganser

Merganser

Mallards and Merganser

Bluebird

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Bluebird

I noticed movement down a hill where I was walking, and noticed this guy eyeing me.  He stayed watching me for quilt a while.

Could be a Downy or Hairy Woodpecker

Young Bluebird

Carolina Wren

Carolina Wren

Bluebird.  Look how vibrant his color is.

Barge along the Des Plains River

I had fun trying to photograph birds. It was a beautiful day. Sunny, and relatively warm. Lots of people were out with dogs and kids enjoying the weather.

Blue Birds

Eastern Bluebird.  This is the male from behind.  He is about 7 inches long.  I saw these birds  on my visit to Steve and Sandy's house in Atlanta, Georgia in March, 2013.

They love the suet.

Male, they say is reminiscent of its larger cousin the Robin.  He has a rusty red breast and white belly, with sky blue head back and tail.

Here is the female with the male.  She has rusty red breast and white belly, but is grayer with faint blue tail and wings.  

I feel lucky to have gotten these pictures.

Male

Female

Female.  She has two broods a year of 4 to 5 eggs. The incubation time is 12 to 14 days and the female sits on the eggs. The male helps to feel the young.  It is said that the young of the first brood will help to raise the young  of the second. The male migrates north first and the female follows a week or two later.