As I do each month, I enjoyed looking back over my archived photos, taken three years previously, to remember how things were then and maybe get some idea of what to expect this year. As usual, I searched for images which reflected favorite memes: critters of all kinds (especially birds), skies and clouds, reflections, flowers and fences, as well as scenes which speak for themselves.
This was our final stay in our Illinois condo. It had served as our second home for eleven years, but keeping two residences was getting to be a chore. We vacated it late in May and closed the sale remotely during the next month.
Early May is the height of songbird migration in NE Illinois, providing lots of color in the May photo archives. The first entry was a Baltimore Oriole:
Yellow Warbler:
Red-headed Woodpecker:
Rose-breasted Grosbeak:
Eastern Bluebird:
Less colorful but nonetheless intriguing, a Great Horned Owl:
A few years earlier, within walking distance of our condo, we had discovered the first nesting Lark Sparrows in the county. To be honest, MaryLou spotted them and noted that they were unusual.
When I looked at them through the binoculars I recognized their strikingly bold face patterns. Lark Sparrows were back again this spring:
They can be difficult to see out on the dry prairie:
In the same field were Savannah Sparrows...
...and the smaller Grasshopper Sparrows:
A pair of House Sparrows snuggled on a fencepost:
Bobolink:
Also in the prairie, a Killdeer guarded two chicks:
Along the woodland path, Trout Lilies bloomed:
Wake Robin flowers were opening:
Blue Violets are the Illinois State Flowers:
Our daughter's family had gained two new pups within two weeks, a black Standard Poodle (Casador) and another Tibetan Mastiff (Moncada) to join Agramonte:
Agramonte greets the newest member of the pack:
The last of our furniture was towed away:
Sunset over neighborhood Jones Meadow Park:
On final approach to the Fort Lauderdale airport, we could find our house and familiar landmarks (click to enlarge):
We ended the month in Florida. A back yard highlight was a Tricolored Heron:
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Linking to:
Fences Around the World
Skywatch Friday
Weekend Reflections
Saturday's Critters
BirdD'Pot
Camera Critters
All Seasons
Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday)
Natasha Musing
Our World Tuesday
Please visit the links to all these posts to see some excellent photos on display
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Such beautiful photos as always..I never see a Baltimore Oriole but have heard that they are around from time to time..I hear the Owls at night but never see them either..I am jealous of your pictures but I don't usually go out of my way to take them..Most are taken from kitchen window..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the walk down memory lane..Have a good rest of your week...
What a lovely post! I enjoyed it. It's difficult moving, bitter sweet, methinks.
ReplyDeleteSome wonderful shots. I really like the second photo of the yellow warbler. Cool shot out the window seat, too. Nice you can recognize the local landmarks!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your look back, Kenneth. The Baltimore Oriole, Yellow Warbler and gorgeous sunset ere favorites in this post.
ReplyDeleteI love your detailed knowledge of birds and your excellent photos.
ReplyDeletefabulous photos - do you miss having a northern home in summer? I must say I don't think I've ever seen an oriole in person but I'd love to. Just so strikingly gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection.
ReplyDeleteWow! Wonderful birding sightings.
ReplyDeleteYou have some really fantastic captures of the birds, just gorgeous! The new pups are adorable and I'm glad you enjoyed your month in Florida. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat sunset is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for swinging by #Allseasons
DeleteWow! So many incredible looking birds. Really like the Oriole and the Warbler.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI love the Baltimore Oriole, it is our state bird. I rarely see them in my yard.
Some of my favorites are the Grasshopper Sparrow and the Bobolink. The Killdeers are so cute. The Tricolored Heron is a beauty! Beautiful wildflowers and wonderful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! Happy birding! PS, thank you for the visit and comment on my blog.
What a wonderful array of photos...you chose well! I especially like the parade of sparrows on fence post...they are especially hard to photograph well on the ground as they blend so beautifully with their surroundings. And they get overlooked I think because they are not colourful like many others. But I love them!
ReplyDeleteHello. Awesome photos. Wonderful birds.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! The yellow warbler is so cute. :-)
ReplyDeleteawesome shots.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos. So very nice. Lovely. #AllSeasons
ReplyDeleteLove the bird shots, especially the Baltimore Oriole. Beautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birdies captured with lovely blooms, Thanks for joining in Garden Affair.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely STUNNING photos - thanks so much for sharing them with us this week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/05/ebony-ivory.html
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent series of photos. I like the yellow warbler but am dazzled by the colour of the Baltimore Oriel.
ReplyDelete