Pheasants on the Run

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagles in Marshall County

The eagles were checking out their nest the last week in December. Nesting season isn't far away!

 

 

Juvenile Eagles Along Copperas Creek Road

Scott and I went out looking for eagles along the road leading to Copperas Landing and found five, four juveniles and one adult. At least 2 of the juveniles may have been first year eagles, with very dark feathers and bill.

 

 

 

 

Of the five eagles we spotted, all but one were juveniles.

 

 

 

Red-winged Blackbirds Flocking near Banner, Illinois.

 

 

 

Eagle at Hamm's Holiday Harbor

We stopped by Hamm's Holiday Harbor on our way down River Beach Drive. Our first eagle of the day was in a tree over looking the river off the dredged beach.

He took off as I was photographing some juncos. Scott said, "He's going to fly," and I looked up just in time to get this shot.

Photos originally uploaded by jward199

Eagle with Fish and Flag

As we drove south on River Beach Drive, we came across 7 eagles. This one had just captured a fish! He flew past a neighbor's American Flag as he took his fish to a better eating place.















Photos originally uploaded by jward199

Northern Harrier and Horned Larks in Woodford County

The light was shining on the red barn by the Woodford SFWA.

This male Northern Harrier was flying low over the grassland along Route 26 in Woodford County.

I spotted him as we were driving North and found a pull over and waited for him to fly past.

Four or five of these little guys were in the cornfields on the way into Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area. I thought they were Lapland Longspurs, but it turns out that they are Horned Larks, but just not very good poses to see the marks I was looking for. Thanks, Jim, for helping with this ID!

Photos originally uploaded by jward199

Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski

Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area in Northwestern Indiana provides an ideal stopover for migratory birds. More than 10,000 sandhill cranes stop during fall migration. My friend and I had the opportunity to visit the cranes last weekend, on Saturday November 10, 2007.

Sandhill Cranes_MG_9276
Originally uploaded by jward199

Deer and Cranes

Deer grazed around the edges of the pasture while cranes foraged in the corn fields and pasture.

Deer and Cranes_MG_9344
Originally uploaded by jward199

Feet Down, Coming in For a Landing

Sandhill Cranes Silouhette_MG_9573
Originally uploaded by jward199

Sandhill Crane Silhouettes Filled the Skies

Cranes filled the evening sky as they flew into the pasture from all directions for their nightly social....

Sandhill Cranes in the Setting Sun

They began to do a little dance as the sun went down!

Sandhill Cranes_MG_9749
Originally uploaded by jward199

Sandhill Cranes at Sunset

Sandhill Cranes Silhouette_MG_9902
Originally uploaded by jward199

Flying in by the thousands.