Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Emiquon in June on a Not-So-Humid Day

After a week or so of oppressive humid heat in early June, some cooler air blew in over the Emiquon Wetland Observatory.

As I entered the compound from the highway, I paused and looked south towards Havana. Bright blue sky and billowing clouds filled the sky behind the remaining foundations left over from farming.
06152011JGW-EmiquonBoatRampEntrance_MG_9387

Looking North, the trees that once surrounded the farm houses and buildings stood tall on the grass emerging after the year-long construction project.
06152011JGW-EmiquonBoatRampEntrance_MG_9391

The Lake Observatory is closest to the boat ramp. The boardwalk reaches out over the edge of Lake Thompson.
06152011JGW-EmiquonLakeObservatory_MG_9407

Looking north across the lake from here I could see the long boardwalk leading to the Wetland Observatory.
06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatory_MG_9472

06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatory_MG_9473

Looking to the west towards the highway and the upland bluffs of Morton Mounds, a semi-truck passes by.
06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatory_MG_9744

I started out on the boardwalk that crosses the wetland on its way out to the observatory.
06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatory_MG_9756

Long ropes of algae made patterns in the water.
06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatory-Algae_MG_9778

As the humidity began to rise, clouds formed over the bluffs.
06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatoryMortonRidgeView_MG_9814

And a Red-winged Blackbird called out to mark his nesting territory.
06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatoryRed-wingedBlackbird_MG_9834

A female Red-wing also stood watch nearby.
06152011JGW-EmiquonWetlandObservatoryRed-wingedBlackbird_MG_9922


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