September 9, 2009
Pelicans were streaming out across Thompson Lake. This panorama was taken from Clark Road:
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The estuary that formed between Clark Road and IL State 78 highway was shrouded in clouds:
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September 17, 2009
The light was fantastic on September 17. Here is a panorama showing the trees TNC planted in the field along Clark Road:
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Pelicans were far out on the lake on a strip of land:
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The estuary between Clark Road and IL State 78 was also bathed in a golden light:
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September 19, 2009
I drove down to Dickson Mounds Museum on the 19th for an Emiquon Corps of Discovery meeting. In the afternoon, I went on a TNC tour of the property. We had a tour from the boat followed by a drive up on the ridge, which is composed of native American mounds. From the ridge you get a fantastic view of the lake.
This photo shows the north end of Thompson lake and the levee that separates Thompson Lake from the Sister Creeks estuary.
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The afternoon light brought out the gold in the goldenrod growing in the prairie below the ridge and around Thompson Lake.
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September 27, 2009
I didn't get back down until September 27, when I brought down more books and laundry to the new house. Mary came with us and we took her for a drive on Clark Road. We found a flock of Cattle Egrets following the sheep around a farm yard. It is always such fun to see the egrets in action, and I was glad that Mary was along to witness the event!
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September 29, 2009
On the 29 I drove along IL 78 and stopped at the boat ramp. The lake water was painted in greens and blues from a cyanotbacteria that has been blooming since April and duckweed.
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Waterfowl were pretty far out on the lake, but this Pied-billed Grebe swam close enough to crop out a photo.
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