2004-01-23 - 1:43 p.m.
Welcome to my microcosm- this diary is going to be about my birding and
wildlife adventures in and around the Chicagoland (for the most part)
region. I live very close to where the North Branch of the Chicago River, and
the North Shore Channel meet- in the Albany Park/North Park area. At
this most auspicious junction, there is a small dam and subsequent
waterfall (HARLEQUIN DUCK was swimming in the falls here FEB. 2003),
which I will be mentioning quite a lot. You can view the waterfall,
and walk south along the river through River/Ronan Parks, and I walk this
trail almost daily on my way to the Francisco Brown Line El station in
the morning. This river environment is a great place for watching
birds and animals of all kinds.
I have seen BEAVER, MUSKRAT, POSSUM, RACOONS, SQURRELS, RATS, MINK, MICE and
RABBITS along the river and in the surrounding parks (and CRAWFISH,
CARP) as far as non-bird species go.
More backround that may be important for later- I can see the North
Branch of the river thru my kitchen window- it flows directly behind my
building.
I often see plenty of birds while cooking, drinking coffee,
etc.
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