Thursday, June 29, 2006


Cedar Waxwings were out over the farthest beaver pond at Cooper Park this morning.

Louisiana Waterthrush singing in the woods at Cooper Park.

Painted Turtles on a Log.

Black-capped Chickadee.

White Cabbage Butterfly.

Song Sparrow 1.

Song Sparrow 2.

Goldfinch 1. What I thought was a Prothonotary Warbler is more likely a female goldfinch. My only view of the birds were from below, and I thought we had the warbler, since I did not see any black as in a Goldfinch. But the bill is not correct for a warbler,so I'll concede it to be a Goldfinch.

Song Sparrow 3.

Goldfinch 2.

Goldfinch 3.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006


Edwards Powerstation reflecting in a newly forming marsh north of Pekin, Illinois. This marsh was full of Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. There must have been 60 egrets and 30 herons milling around in the marsh.

Great Egrets 1.

Great Egrets 2.

Great Egrets 3.

Horse in a stable next to the trail at Tante Park in Pekin, Illinois.

Red-tailed Hawk in the tallest Pine tree by the savanna at Springdale Cemetery.

Red-tailed Hawk 2.

Red-tailed Hawk 3.

Wild Turkey Hen and Chicks at crossing one of the trails at Forest Park Nature Center.

Turkey Chick 1.

Turkey Chicks.

Turkey Chick 2.

Chipmunk at Springdale Cemetery.

Sparrow Chick all fluffed up.

Sparrow Chick in the Red Bud tree outside the ranger station at Forest Park.

Deer at Forest Park Nature Center.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006


Red-winged Blackbird with Mayfly. This guy was going crazy as Scott, Ed and I walked down one section of the boardwalk at Cooper Park on Sunday morning. He had this Mayfly in his mouth, ready to feed his babies, but we were in the way, and he let us know about it in no uncertain terms.

Caterpillar in the sun.

The Tadpole is almost a Frog, photographed by my friend Ed. Like the beginning of time.

Scott and Ed found two baby Red-winged Blackbirds in the dried weeds next to the boardwalk. You almost couldn't see them, they blended in so perfectly. If the dad hadn't been acting so squirrelly, they might not have been looking for them. Ed and I both took photographs of the babies.

Baby Red-winged Blackbird, up close.

Baby Red-winged Blackbird, calling for food. Photographed by Ed.

Bull Frog, photographed by Ed.

One of the many bunnies who live in the grass near the entrance to Spindler Marina.

Marsh flowers with fruit, photographed by Ed.

Marsh flowers, photographed by Ed.

Boys swimming with gulls at the campground at Spindler Marina. I guess they don't know how dirty that river water is.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak hiding behind the leaves. He would not come out where I could photograph him.

A vole family lives under the boardwalk at Cooper Park.

Young Baltimore Oriole.

Monday, June 26, 2006


Peoria Skyline as seen from the point at Spindler Marina.

Baby Killdeer in the parking lot at Spindler Marine, East Peoria, Illinois.

Red-winged Blackbird at Cooper Park. Defending his area. He had a nest nearby, and young redwings from the previous brood.

Red-winged Blackbird, getting ready to call.

Red-winged Blackbird calling.

Red-winged Blackbird, calling again.

Adult male Baltimore Oriole.

Juvenile female Baltimore Oriole.

Tree Swallow, checking out the marsh.