We had a lovely outing in Arie Crown Forest — starting to see some Spring birds.

A sassy Eastern Phoebe says hello
A sassy Eastern Phoebe says hello; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
A Yellow-Rumped Warbler joins us, the vanguard of the Spring
A Yellow-Rumped Warbler joins us, the vanguard of the Spring; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
A White-breasted Nuthatch sees us and looks awry
A White-breasted Nuthatch sees us and looks awry; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
Our first Tree Swallow of the season
Our first Tree Swallow of the season; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
Red-bellied Woodpecker looks for food on a tree
Red-bellied Woodpecker looks for food on a tree; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
Red-bellied Woodpecker flicks his tongue out, looking for food on a tree
Red-bellied Woodpecker flicks his tongue out, looking for food on a tree; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
A Golden-crowned Kinglet takes flight
A Golden-crowned Kinglet takes flight; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
A Golden-crowned Kinglet regards a tree
A Golden-crowned Kinglet regards a tree; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
A Golden-crowned Kinglet takes flight
A Golden-crowned Kinglet takes flight; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
A Golden-crowned Kinglet perched
A Golden-crowned Kinglet perched; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
Downy Woodpecker looks for food on a branch
Downy Woodpecker looks for food on a branch; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
A Dark-eyed Junco perches on a branch, fluffed up
A Dark-eyed Junco perches on a branch, fluffed up; Arie Crown Forest Preserve; 6 April 2025
Blue Jay flies through the forest
Blue Jay flies through the forest; Arie Crown Nature Preserve; 6 April 2025
Black-capped Chickadee perches on a branch, sassy
Black-capped Chickadee perches on a branch, sassy; Arie Crown Nature Preserve; 6 April 2025

 

We had a nice outing to Bemis Woods and Salt Creek, our first visit of the year. We saw a bunch of fun feathered friends.

Black-capped Chickadee perches saucily
Black-capped Chickadee perches saucily; Bemis Woods Forest Preserve, Cook, IL; 5 April 2025
Canada Goose stands by salt creek
Canada Goose stands by salt creek; Bemis Woods Forest Preserve, Cook, IL; 5 April 2025
White-breasted Nuthatch climbs a tree
White-breasted Nuthatch climbs a tree; Bemis Woods Forest Preserve, Cook, IL; 5 April 2025
Wood Duck enjoys salt creek
Wood Duck enjoys salt creek; Bemis Woods Forest Preserve, Cook, IL; 5 April 2025
Great Blue Heron enjoys salt creek
Great Blue Heron enjoys salt creek; Bemis Woods Forest Preserve, Cook, IL; 5 April 2025
Mallard soars above salt creek
Mallard soars above salt creek; Bemis Woods Forest Preserve, Cook, IL; 5 April 2025