Eaglets practice jumping.

 

 

Eaglet thinking about the next fish. It is close to time to hunt!

 

Watching over the Eaglets.

 

Early June, the Eaglets were hopping about the nest, practicing with balance.

 

 

 

 

Snowy Egret at Emiquon!!!

As usual, I drove through the Emiquon valley on route 93 to get a good picture of the entire area. On my right I noticed several conspicuous white birds through the openings between foliage and recognized a large number of Great Egrets. I turned at the first chance and headed back. I took the first turn-off and after watching for traffic (which is fierce on this highway!) I crossed the road and walked west to find the openings in foliage. 50 or 60 Great Egrets, and 20 or more Great Blue Herons were in the newly plowed fields (plowed before the planting of natural prairie and wetland plants!). Among them I spotted my very first Snowy Egret!!!!! A life bird for me! :)

 

 

 

 

Silver-spotted Skipper on Clover.

 

Dickcissel singing in the newly forming prairies in the Emiquon Valley.

 

The Emiquon Ridge is changing as The Nature Conservancy begins planting trees.

 

 

Twelve-spotted Skimmer Dragonflies.

 

 

A Bobwhite Quail scurried along the path at the base of the Emiquon ridge. A few minutes later I flushed three quail as I walked through some tall grass. They startled me as much as I did them!

 

 

 

Path 2 runs into Thompson Lake, which is growing as water comes back into the Emiquon valley.

 

Rice Lake

I stopped by Rice Lake on my way to Emiquon and was disappointed not to find shore birds. I was also hoping for American White Pelicans. The water is high, and not many birds were around.

 

 

 

 

Banner Marsh, East Access

I stopped by Banner Marsh at the East Access Point in Peoria County early this month. Clouds were blowing in, with an increasingly darkening sky. I had a nice walk and then headed back to the car as the rain showers began. (That was the last rain we had in June!)

 

 

 

Green Heron Calling at the East Access Point at Banner Marsh.

 

 

 

Bluet Damselflies mating.

 

Blue Dasher Dragonfly, male

 

Blue Dasher Dragonfly, female