Emiquon and Duck Island in November

I made it to once this month, unless I drive down there tomorrow! I drove down early this month, on the 7th. I stopped at Duck Island, Rice Lake Conservation Area. It was pretty quiet. The sand and gravel mine was quietly churning away. From the road it sounded like a freight train in the distance.

Gulls were swarming around Rice Lake.


A blind out on the water surrounded by decoys probably had a hunter in it, but I didn't hear any shots while I was there.


Actual Ducks were hiding in the flooded back waters of the waterfowl preserve, safe from the hunters.


At Thompson Lake,waterfowl covered the lake. Most of the ones I could identify were coots, but there were also some Gadwalls, Blue-winged Teal, and Pied-billed Grebes.




A Northern Harrier was flying over the bluffs along Prairie Road.


A Sharp-shinned Hawk sat in a tree along the bluff with glaring light behind him.