Saturday, April 17, 2010

Woodland Wildflowers at Emiquon

Last Saturday, the Emiquon Corps of Discovery went on a wildflower field trip. We found several species along Coal Creek, which runs behind TNC headquarters.

Spring Beauty was still growing along the creek and hillside.
SpringBeautyEmiquonCoalCreek04122010_MG_8071

SpringBeautyClarkRdEmiquon04102010JGWard_MG_7795

Dutchman's Breeches were mostly past bloom, but I did find a few samples with blossoms.
DuchmensBreechesEmiquonClarkRd04102010JGWard_MG_7783

Buttercups grew along the banks of the creek.
SwampButtercupEmiquonCoalCreek04122010JGWard_MG_8098

Wild Mustard was blooming along the path.
MustardBlossoms04172010JGWard_MG_8200

We encountered a couple of small patches of Virginia Bluebells.
BlueBellsEmiquonCoalCreek04172010JGWard_MG_8203

Rosebud trees were in bloom.
RedbudEmiquonCoalCreek04172010JGWard_MG_8207

Sweet William was scattered up the hillside.
SweetWilliamEmiquonCoalCreek04172010JGWard_MG_8217

Cutleaf Toothwort hadn't bloomed yet, but appeared ready to bloom.
ToothwortEmiquonCoalCreek04172010JGWard_MG_8230

We found several Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants.
JackInPulpet04172010JGWard_MG_8233

And several Purple Trillium, one of which was blooming!
TrilliumEmiquonCoalCreek04172010JGWard_MG_8235

TrilliumEmiquonCoalCreek04172010JGWard_MG_8238

Monday, April 12, 2010

Pelicans in April

March brought Snow Geese to Emiquon, and April brought Pelicans! Thousands of pelicans were all over Thompson Lake. You never knew where you would find them. One day they were all out on the North end of the lake, the next they were out along the front of the lake where construction is going on. Other times they were far out at the South end of the lake. Then on Monday, they were flying all around and landing in the fields West of IL 78, flying directly over my head. A fantastic show for all!

At the South end of the lake:
PelicansEmiquon04032010JGWard_MG_6694

At the North end:
PelicansEmiquon04102010JGWard_MG_7402

PelicansEmiquon04082010JGWard_MG_7073

Across from Prairie Road along Il 78:
PelicansEmiquon04082010JGWard_MG_7113

PelicansEmiquon04082010JGWard_MG_7084

Flying directly overhead:
PelicansEmiquon04102010JGWard_MG_7269crp

PelicansEmiquon04102010JGWard_MG_7279

PelicansEmiquon04102010JGWard_MG_7362

Out in the fields at Emiquon West:
PelicansEmiquonCounty9Rd04122010JGWard_MG_8010

Flying over County Road 9:
PelicansEmiquonCounty9Rd04122010JGWard_MG_7968

PelicanEmiquon04122010JGWard_MG_8002

Flying over Prairie Road:
PelicansEmiquonPrairieRoad04122010JGWard_MG_8045

Among the debris at the construction site North of the boat launch:
PelicansEmiquon04032010JGWard_MG_6790