Migration 2011: Early April

A sample of the birds that are currently coming through Chicago during the 2011 Migration:

Clockwise from top left: Eastern Phoebe, Brown Thrasher,

American Goldfinch (in its Motley Phase of Color Transition),

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, a hungry Black Capped Chickadee, Hermit Thrush

How A Bird Flies

Over the last two months of photographing birds, I've managed to document their secret. They don't flap their wings to take off and fly. Instead, they launch themselves like miniature jet-propelled rockets. Here's the proof.

Red Eyed Vireo ................ Blackpoll Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Black and White Warbler ........... Black Throated Green Warbler

Cape May Warbler

American Goldfinch