Fall Catch-up Post!
Saturday 22 October 2016
Why hello, long time no see!!
It's been a very busy fall with me, although I have gotten to see some birds. The majority of my sightings have been through my regularly-scheduled bird walks and bird surveys in and near Oak Park, as I have been so busy with school and music Iately that I have not been able to do any personal birding day trips!
Here are some bird photos to enjoy since I haven't posted in such a long time.
Well, the first isn't actually a bird but a beautiful Monarch that posed oh so nicely in my backyard!
Warbler madness! Male CAPE MAY WARBLER:
Male AMERICAN REDSTART:
Nonbreeding-plumage CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER:
SWAINSON'S THRUSH:
Male NORTHERN CARDINAL:
GREAT BLUE HERON:
CEDAR WAXWINGS:
Female HAIRY WOODPECKER:
Nonbreeding-plumage SCARLET TANAGER:
Male BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER:
SWAINSON'S THRUSH:
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH:
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH:
Nonbreeding-plumage BLACKPOLL WARBLER:
Definitely THE musical highlight of 2016 for me so far was performing with my choir as backup for Chance the Rapper in front of 50,000+ people at the Magnificent Coloring Day/South Side Festival at US Cellular Field on September 24. It was an incredible experience.
GRAY CATBIRD:
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW:
BROWN CREEPER:
MAGNOLIA WARBLER:
Nonbreeding-plumage BLACKPOLL WARBLER:
GREEN HERON:
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER:
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER:
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET:
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER:
Best look I've ever had at a WINTER WREN, which is usually an extremely skittish bird:
Also the best look I've ever had of a NASHVILLE WARBLER, as it was posing really nicely for me, trying to force down this inchworm:
And finally, yesterday, Friday, October 21 was my choir's, the Chicago Children's Choir's, premier gala fundraiser event called the Red Jacket Optional. It was an amazing performance that featured performances from the choir, a guest performance by the amazing Allison Semmes who is an alumna of the choir and best known for starring in "The Wiz," and best of all, 1.25 million dollars were raised for the choir!! Phenomenal!! 
So it has been a busy but fulfilling autumn season for me. Sorry I haven't posted sooner, and I will try to post again after my owling walk scheduled for Nov 11! Email me at [email protected] if you would like a reservation for this walk, where we will look for Short-eared and Great Horned Owls at Miller Meadow Forest Preserve in Maywood, IL.
Good birding!
Henry
World Life List: 925 Species (no recent life birds)
Posted by skwclar 19:14 Archived in USA Tagged birds fall music birding migration warblers chicago_children's_choir
Great bird (and butterfly) photos! I have been seeing a lot of the same birds lately as well. While it wasn't as good as yours, I recently had my best looks ever at a Winter Wren also.
Congratulations to you and your choir on your performances, and for such a successful fundraiser!
by Jonathan