Chicago has one of the world’s great skylines. Here we saw it on the first afternoon of the trip from South Pond. Photo by Josh Engel.

Sapsucker with freshly drilled sap wells. Photo by Josh Engel.

Digiscoped image of a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker. Photo by Josh Engel.

By this time of fall, most adult male Ruby-throats have gone south, but a few females and immatures remain. Photo by Josh Engel.

Admiring some interesting design elements in downtown Chicago on the group’s private architectural walking tour. Photo by Amanda Zeigler.

The Tiffany Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center, set up for a wedding, during the private architectural walking tour of downtown Chicago. This secret spot is a must-see. Photo by Amanda Zeigler.

Photo by Josh Engel.

Marquette Park in Miller Beach, Indiana. One of many beautiful public parks that we visited on the tour. Photo by Amanda Zeigler.

There are many wonderful restaurants around the hotel. One night we enjoyed Turkish food. Photo by Josh Engel.

Sandhill Cranes have made a big comeback as a breeding species in the last few decades in the Chicago area. Photo by Josh Engel.

The water tower at Fort Sheridan, completed in 1891. Photo by Josh Engel.

Photo by Josh Engel.

Fall wildflowers were attracting butterflies. Photo by Josh Engel.

We visited the largest Monk Parakeet colony (by far) in the Chicago area. Here’s a pair on one of their huge stick nests. Photo by Josh Engel.

Fall flowers were seeding everywhere, and the goldfinches were loving it. Photo by Laura Noe.