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I'm amazed by how much flight affords birds. Biking through the city, I'd hear a cardinal, turn to the tweet and locate. One can become finely attuned to their call. Hearing them over a car's airwaves or sitting quietly in a library. Locating, however, does not guarantee observation. And we do not have the tools needed to move us around these streets as swiftly as they

Much in the same way it has been with friends and family recently, seeing them again is never a guarantee. They'll be perched one second and then gone the next. A few visits throughout the seasons perhaps—perhaps.

The Birds hung at Backlot are group in seasons.

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Summer

House Finch

Montclare

The house finch is one of the most accessible "non-standard” birds people can get to know. For the average person, we’re familiar with pigeons, seagulls, and the overabundant sparrows throughout our city. But put out a bird feeder at home and sooner or later, you’ll be greeted by a house finch or two. These scarlet-headed birds sing a cheery song and can come in droves if allowed. This bird brought me to loathe the invasive House Sparrow and over winter, I cleared out the evergreens and switch my feeder to safflower seeds. Next spring the House Finches prospered and the sparrow only came seldomly. This one was right outside my back room window.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

Monty the Piping Plover

Montrose Beach

The king is dead, long live the king. Monty and Rose captured the hearts of many Chicagoans over the last few years and rose to national fame. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists piping plovers as near threatened, and when a pair was found nesting on the busy shores of Montrose Beach, birders fought to protect their nesting grounds. Over three years, Monty and Rose successfully raised seven offspring. Rose has yet to be seen this season and on May 13, 2022, Monty passed away of a respiratory infection. Their offspring, Imani, now commands the sands of Montrose, seeking a mate.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

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Fall

Northern Cardinal

Belmont Cragin

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet; Laser, Laser, Laser, Laser, Laser

Translating... Give me a bit...

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Hemp Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

Philadelphia Vireo

Avondale

I learned the Red-eyed Vireo in a local in the summer, breeding and signing a song that sounds like it’s shouting, “Here I am!” Then there’s the Warbling Vireo singing a much more complex tune. I can’t quite recall the song of Philly Vireo but it’s distinctness lured me to step outside of my apartment time and time again in the Fall. Photographed here is my first vireo but this was on the third day of seeing it hang around the neighborhood. In the family of trees on my block, it preferred the Birch. It was with this bird that I began to pay more attention to the Spring and Fall migration seasons and the seasonal bird walks, great for learning from other birders and building community.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Agave Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $160

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Winter

Great Blue Heron 

North Park

If you’re still on the fence as to whether birds are dinosaurs or not, head to your local body of water and you’re likely to come across this bird to reassure you. The massive and majestic Great Blue Heron can be found all across the city and the states for that matter. There isn’t a pond I’ve visited that hasn’t had a Heron there on some occasion. This Heron was seen in late Winter, strolling in the waters of my favorite lagoon in beautiful light. The world feels very complicated and for that, I captioned this on Twitter as, “Limping Along” in response to a temperature read. If you visit my profile there, you’ll see a clip of one feasting on a bullhead catfish on Thanksgiving.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Agave Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $160

Dark-eyed Junco

Montclare

Snowy on the bottom, cloudy up top. The dark-eyed junco is Chicago’s true snowbird. These little puff balls begin appearing in the fall and stick around through early spring. They don’t like the warmth and will head just a tad further North to avoid our summers. But while they’re here, they’re a cute treat to observe, especially if you’re new to birds! They bring a nice contrast to the otherwise drab colors of the house sparrows around the neighborhood or in your backyard. This shot was taken from outside my window on the telecom line. Their calls are quite distinctive when you hear them so they should be easy to find. You might find a few in your yard but head over to a park and you might a dozen or two. This past season, I tweeted regularly as Junco season ended. The last Junco for 2021-2022 was spotted at McKinley Park on May 17th. This is second on my list of favorite birds and for the joy it brings me, I gave it a rose gold frame to match its beak.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Hemp Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

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Spring

Magnolia Warbler

LaBagh Woods

If you like everything bagels, then you’ll love the magnolia warbler! This bird has several identifying marks one can use to identify it. Featuring an eye line, mask, necklace, streaky sides, wing bars, yellow rump, and more making it easy to spot. There is one other very similar looking warbler, the Canada Warbler, but that’s like an everything-lite bagel.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

Yellow Warbler

LaBagh Woods

This warbler is also very easy to identify with its bright hue and loud distinct song. I’m really happy with this shot of it jumping down to a lower branch, seeing its wing fully expanded. I feel like I missed out this year impressed by so many other warblers but I can feel myself wanting to observe these more intently.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

Hooded Warbler

LaBagh Woods

I visited my favorite row of trees recently. Crab apple saplings in Grant Park past the Metra tracks, making a path Due South. I've sat alone here plenty of times but never as attuned to birds as I am now. I spotted a small yellowish bird and checked Merlin in hopes of understanding what I was looking at. For I second I guess it might be a hooded warbler. Upon investigating a blurry photo, I was certain it was instead a common yellowthroat. But the first time I actually came I cross one, I knew exactly what it was, and with good looks! I pointed it out to my to my companion birders and they haven't let me forget how grateful they were to have seen it.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $160

Blackburnian Warbler

LaBagh Woods

I love gradients and this bird has one of the most fascinating ones in my opinion. A good orange and white color combo reminds me of creamsicles, probably my favorite ice cream growing up. I had an interesting interaction with this one which I will take into consideration in future birding. It approached me—curious about my shutter sound.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

Black-and-White Warbler

North Park

Half zebra half nuthatch, the black and white warbler instantly became my favorite. According to the bird and moon webcomic, that means, “You enjoy parties but you often get shy and duck behind furniture." I first saw it last year at Tatcher Woods and  Douglass Park. This year I saw it at my favorite patch, earlier than expected, and early enough to have my first rare bird alert go out.

As displayed; framed and printed on Hahnemuhle Bamboo Fine Art Paper 290gsm - $110

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Postcards

Clockwise from top left.

Northern Cardinal
Montclare

Indigo Bunting

North Park Village Nature Center

Hooded Warbler

LaBagh Woods

Alder Flycatcher

Gomper Park

Blue Jay

McKinley Park

Great Blue Heron

Gompers Park

Rose the Piping Plover

Montrose Beach

Swamp Sparrow

North Park Village Nature Center

Hermit Trush

Welles Park

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

North Park Village Nature Center

Mailed Postcard Art of any of the birds listed on this guide -$7