![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4sQcAfIR4cVx41UnYgFQDWuwj7jVXvykeWVK1Quvy2QPN99eThRNj8M11hvSvsDfvpQviZqSx8QFnnyf8NH7MW1Dp5Jz7nmwe5jnVVvQOkdM-xrejs0QsyIInfJNrmWNE4o2xGsau0ZY/s280/Gray-Catbird,-Espenscheid-F.jpg) |
One of many Gray Catbirds that arrived in Northern Illinois in the first week of May, Espenscheid Forest Preserve, IL; 5/4/2012. |
Suddenly overnight Gray Catbirds (Above) descended upon the Rockford, IL, area. It seemed that while I was hiking in the Espencheid and Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserves, I couldn't walk 50 steps without hearing another Catbird squawking and mewing in the bush.
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Another Gray Catbird, Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, IL; 5/20/2012. |
Gray Catbirds have been so abundant this Spring that I have had little trouble finding them in the open (Above). It seemed to me that in previous years, I have had a hard time getting photographs of these guys as they stayed hidden in the thickets. This year they have seemed to be showing themselves more frequently, unless I have either been lucky this year or just unlucky in the past.
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A Wood Thrush in a rae moment of visibility, Morton Forest Preserve, IL; 5/ |
Another bird that I hear all the time, but very seldom can find in the open for a good photograph is the Wood Thrush. These Thrushes, in my opinion, have one of the most beautiful songs of the Bird Kingdom. They sound like two first chair floutests playing a duet, as the Wood Thrush is able to create two pitches simultaneously. The Thrush (Above) happened to be sitting on a low branch near the ground level, and I was lucky to find him. Although he was at quite a distance away, he stayed put long enough for me to get his portrait. Usually I hear Wood Thrushes high up in the upper tree branches thoroughly hidden by thick foliage. Very seldom do I get a chance to see one. So to find this guy on the open ground was a treat for me.
Such pretty photos of such pretty birds. :-)
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