CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

South Pond, Lincoln Park
Chicago, IL
July 2021

Cup Plant by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Images shared in this post were captured in RAW from a Sony a7II mirrorless digital camera using an adapted 1980s film-era lens, the Canon FD 500mm f/4.5L. The RAW files were processed in Adobe Lightroom v6 and Topaz DeNoise v6.

Mallard family


American goldfinch


The American goldfinch begins its breeding season later in the year than any other finch and later than most other native North American bird. Scientists think this may be related to the abundance of seeds in the late summer months, as seeds represent most of their diet.

American goldfinch


The American goldfinch is occasionally victim to brood parasites, particularly brown-headed cowbirds. One study found that 9% of nests had brown-headed cowbird eggs in them. The American goldfinch makes a very poor host for brood parasites, with studies showing low hatching rates of brown-headed cowbird eggs and no fledging success. It is thought that the inability of brown-headed cowbird chicks to survive is due to a failure to get enough nutrition; the seed-rich diet of American goldfinch chicks varies from the usual insect-rich diet of other hosts.

Great blue heron


Night herons stand at the water's edge, and wait to ambush prey, mainly at night. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, and small mammals. During the day they rest in trees or bushes.

Black-crowned Night Heron (juvenile)

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Lovely set and story
Thanks much

L-Fox

Superb...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

GORGEOUS shots of the Finch ! .......thanks for sharing

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Very nice photographs, my favorite would be the American goldfinch with the flower pedal in beak great as always Paul.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Terrific as usual. I always look forward to your posts because of the subject matter and excellent narratives, which make the subjects so interesting. You also photograph around Chicago, my birth place, and reveal things and places I’ve never seen or heard of. Thank you.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice ones, Paul.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you genocolo! I have a boat load of Chicago images from this summer that I haven't even had time to even cull. I've been involved in some other projects that have kept me out of the home and away from the computer. Glad you've enjoyed.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Toment, Loren, Larry, Charles, genocolo, John! Although I've had this 500mm lens out only once in the park for where I had 'envisioned' using it, it was for goldfinch that an idea for a longer lens was developed. I've seen them picking at seeds about this time in the fall in prior years where something longer would be needed so I got to searching ebay this past winter for the longer options.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A great set, Paul.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

You captured summer, Paul!

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Great set!

tcthome Loc: NJ

rv8striker Loc: St. Louis, MO area

I always admire your work. Thanks for sharing.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Ken, Mike, Gary, tcthome, rv8striker! I feel the season changing and maybe the lenses and cameras along too where it doesn't seem 500mm is going to be so useful in the winter. Glad you enjoyed these (recent) summer memories.