A Song Sparrow singing its song on an Illinois prairie morning. There was only one perch in this part of the prairie, and as the sun crested some trees to the east and cast its soft light around, this Song Sparrow took its proper place and sang its beautiful song in the sun's spotlight. It's the little things . . .

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are becoming more active as August is here, and the days getting shorter, and they start getting ready for their big trip south. This female ruby gave me the side-eye last evening while darting among the flowers . . .

Indigo Buntings sure do love to sing among the sunflowers (swipe to hear their birdsong - sound on!), but they sure aren't always easy to find, especially if there is wind and the sunflowers are swaying to and fro . . .

The Goldfinches are becoming more active, and I caught this one surveying the patch trying to decide which flower would be next that he was going to systematically remove each petal from its receptacle . . .

An Indigo Bunting singing its little heart out among the sunflowers, and a shout out for the bee flyby and photobomb (lower right).

This little Green Heron was a clever one indeed. There was a swan with its cygnets leisurely paddling up the edge of the lake, picking at the algae and weeds along the edge. Just in front of them was the Green Heron lurking just a little bit ahead, hoping to catch anything that was stirred up by the oncoming swans . . .

American Goldfinch in the morning sun . . .

Pretty sure this sometimes silly and goofy bird is recognizable and needs no introduction even in silhouette. A Double-crested Cormorant drying out in a tree while the smoked-out and hazed sun descends into the horizon.

A male Ruby-throated dropped by for a quick visit, and it was good to see our old friend again. Maybe next time he will turn and face head-on so we can catch a glimpse of that glorious throat of his . . .

An American Bald Eagle delivers a fresh fish for dinner for his little eaglet in the nest.