Northern Illinois Birder: Boreal or Black-Capped Chickadees? Temperence River State Park, Minnesota

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Boreal or Black-Capped Chickadees? Temperence River State Park, Minnesota

Temperence River in its namesake State Park, MN; 8/11/2011.

We hiked one of the most beautiful river hikes that I have ever taken. The trail followed the Temperence River for most of the 7 mile round trip hike. One could almost follow the trail "on" the river by boulder hopping. It was full of gorgeous cascading falls and swimming holes. As a matter of fact, I am glad we left on this hike early in the morning to get good pictures of the river, because in the late morning / early afternoon upon our return, the river was full of people swimming in the river - it must be local hot spot for swimming.

As you can see, one could almost boulder hop the entire river, Temperence River State Park, MN, 8/11/2011.

The Temperence River winding its way through the State Park, MN; 8/11/2011.

Again, like our Eagle Mt. hike, this was not a good birding hike. Again I dipped on finding a Black-backed Woodpecker and warblers were not out and about. Although I definitely saw and heard Boreal Chickadees, the photos (Below) I took were inconclusive whether I photographed a Boreal or a Black-cap. They were juveniles and hard to tell apart.

Is this a juvenile Boreal or Black-capped Chickadee?, Temp Riv SP, MN, 8/11/2011.

Boreal or Black Cap?

Hairy Woodpecker, Temp Riv SP, MN, 8/11/2011.

Other than chickadees, I also identified another Hairy Woodpecker (Above - my second of the summer), American Crows, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, and another Yellow-rumped Myrtle. Below are more photogenic pics of the Temperence River.