Mudflats at Thompson Lake

In August the water began to go down as TNC continued to pump water from the lake. For the first time in a couple of years, mudflats were exposed along the edges of the lake.

I took a walk along the south end of the lake on August 15, 2010. The colors of Emiquon are constantly changing, and on this day, with prairie flowers in bloom and a deep blue sky reflecting off the lake, the colors were glorious.






The deep greens of the cattails contrast with the bright yellow blooms speckled through the prairie and the blue of the sky and lake.


I can see Sister Creeks Farm, 7 miles to the north of Emiquon, along Route 24.


The receding lake left large expanses of mudflats in its wake.


Teal, Egrets, and Gulls hung out on a flat in the middle of the lake.






Pelicans flew overhead.




Shorebirds foraged along the edges of the mudflats.


Lesser or Greater Yellowlegs were among the shorebirds.