Birds

Sandhill Mom and Colt

(Grus canadensis) Barrington, IL • Image by Jim Bodkin

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis. Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The Bluebird carries the sky on his back." Image by Stephen Barten

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus lucovicianus. A spring migrant, they also nest in the Barrington area. Image by Stephen Barten.

Sandhill Crane on the Prairie

Antigone (Grus) canadensis. This Sandhill Crane was foraging in a sea of Shooting Stars on a restored prairie in the Barrington area. Image by Stephen Barten

Sandhill Crane

Antigone (Grus) canadensis. Image by Stephen Barten

Red-winged Blackbird vs. Sandhill Crane

Agelaius phoeniceus (blackbird) and Antigone (Grus) canadensis (crane). The blackbird was doing his best to intimidate the crane and get it to move farther away from his nest. The crane totally ignored the blackbird. Image by Stephen Barten

Sandhill Crane at Waters Edge

Just waiting and watching for its next meal. Antigone (Grus) canadensis. Image by Jeff Chemelewski

Black Crowned Night-Heron Nesting

(Nycticorax nycticorax) Barrington • Image by Jim Bodkin

Black Crowned Night-Heron

(Nycticorax nycticorax) Barrington • Image by Jim Bodkin

Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Once common in the Barrington area, their numbers plummeted. Recently they are making a comeback in local forest preserves that persevere dead trees which they use both for nesting holes and as a source for insects. Image by Stephen Barten

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Melanerpes carolinus. One of the most common woodpeckers in our area; often mistaken for the Red-headed Woodpecker (previous image) because they have red on their head. The red belly for which they are named is subtle. Image by Stephen Barten

White Egret at Bakers Lake

(Ardea alba) Barrington, IL • Image by Jim Bodkin

White Egret in Flight

(Ardea alba) Barrington, IL • Image by Jim Bodkin

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum. Waxwings are berry specialists. They often appear in flocks in trees laden with berries like this Serviceberry Tree. Image by Stephen Barten

Barred Owl

Strix varia. The Barred Owl is the only local owl with dark eyes instead of yellow. Image by Stephen Barten

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus. Image by Stephen Barten

Cooper's Hawk

Accipiter cooperii. The Cooper's Hawk is common in forested areas around Barrington and frequently hunts small birds at neighborhood bird feeders. Image by Stephen Barten

Eastern Bluebird

Sialia sialis. Like many bird species, male bluebirds have brighter colors than females. Image by Stephen Barten

Killdeer Family

Charadrius vociferus. Killdeer are plovers that lay 4 to 6 eggs in a nest on the ground in relatively open areas. The chicks are precocial, able to walk and run and follow the parents soon after hatching. This chick was in the egg 48 hours before this photo was taken. Image by Stephen Barten

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia. This Song Sparrow is singing to defend his territory and attract a mate. Image by Stephen Barten

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis. Cardinals are year-round residents in our area. Image by Stephen Barten

Great Horned Owl

Image was taken at Stillman Nature Center. IImage by Jeff Chemelewski

Perched Screech Owl

Captured at Stillman Valley Nature Center. Image by Jeff Chemelewski

Mallard Mom and Duckling

(Anas platyrhynchos) Image by Diane Bodkin