September 9, 2009
Pelicans were streaming out across Thompson Lake. This panorama was taken from Clark Road:
The estuary that formed between Clark Road and IL State 78 highway was shrouded in clouds:
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:
Pelicans were far out on the lake on a strip of land:
The estuary between Clark Road and IL State 78 was also bathed in a golden light:
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.
The afternoon light brought out the gold in the goldenrod growing in the prairie below the ridge and around Thompson Lake.
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!
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.
Waterfowl were pretty far out on the lake, but this Pied-billed Grebe swam close enough to crop out a photo.
