Watching Dorothy right now. Baby is on its back and is trying to defend itself from mama. Doesn't look good.

OMG - I heard the strangest sound late this afternoon, like a kitten stuck up a tree. I finally came across what is was (thanks to the ID via the Cornell Lab website), and it is a young yellow-bellied sapsucker. I imagine he is migrating, as Illinois is between the summer and winter grounds for them. I'm so tickled - we have other woodpeckers around here, but I've never seen (or heard) one of those before!

How awesome is that - love, it, love it!!

Helen

Thank you for your beautiful, fun birthday wishes! Wishing happiness for you too! 

Helen P.

Just wanted to share this story about the peregrines in Peoria, IL. I knew they put up a nestbox in the downtown area a few years back but it sounds like "momma" is nesting under a bridge near my workplace instead. Our building would be a perfect place for a box but I doubt corporate would go for it. I've contacted a friend that used to work at another nearby building that would be great too. In another article it said momma was born near a bridge in Michigan, thus her nesting at the bridge in Peoria.

http://legalrecord.net/peregrine-falcon-rescue/

Helen P.

I never cease to be amazed that those darling little fluffballs eventually grow into some of the most beautiful, fastest beings on earth!

Take care, Joyce! Your wings may be clipped for a little while but I hope you'll be up and about real soon! 

Helen P.

So sorry to hear of her passing.

Nice pic, Donna - lots of crows! I love watching them, heading out to who knows where in the morning, then coming back in the early evening.

Orville... what a grand rock he was, and now to be prompting all these great memories of Mariah and Kaver and the clan.

I hope I didn't miss his retirement reception... please give him my regards. 

Donna, thumbs up to your little guy watching the migration w/his binocs! I love seeing the pelicans migrating through our area, and lately we've had a big bunch of cedar waxwings, which we usually only see around the spring and fall.

Thanks very much, all, for your birthday wishes! Donna, I loved Orion's "hat dilemma" card too!!

 

Helen P.

So, is anyone fostering Orville until his return to the nest?

OK, so anyone offering to eat that leftover Halloween candy, raise your hand!

I forgot to post that I saw pelicans the other day too. They follow the Illinois River to migrate south. They're very cool to watch, with their flight patterns and the way two or more groups join together and keep going!

Helen P.