Monday, April 11, 2011

Emiquon in April

I frequently photograph the estuary that has formed at the junction of IL 78 Highway and Clark Road. Some day soon, I will not be able to see the estuary for the trees. 70 percent of the bottomland forest trees planted by TNC in 2007 have survived and are thriving!
04112011JGW-EmiquonClarkRoadEstuary_MG_5425

At the other end of the lake, one utility pole remains. The rest came down with the incredible movement of the frozen lake water in the winter of 2009-2010.
041112011JGW-EmiquonThompsonSouthLevee_MG_5438

From the south levee, you can see all the way to the stacks of the Duck Creek power plant, 10 miles to the north.
04112011JGW-EmiquonThompsonSouthLevee_MG_5444

The grass at the wetland pull-off turned green seemingly over night.
04112011JGW-EmiquonWetlandAccess_MG_5457

Looking North, you can see the bluffs in the distance. What a wide river valley!
04112011JGW-EmiquonWetlandAccess_MG_5464

Cormorants hung out in the remaining trees sticking out of the water on the far side of the lake.
04112011JGW-ThompsonLakeCormorants_MG_5480

Heading along County 9 Road, the bluffs have a different appearance.
04112011JGW-EmiquonBluff_MG_5498

The Nature Conservancy burned the prairie next to TNC headquarters this spring. I arrived a couple of days after the burn, when all was black.
04112011JGW-EmiquonPrairieAfterBurn_MG_5515

04112011JGW-TNCatEmiquon_MG_5519

04112011JGW-TNCandUIS_MG_5524

04112011JGW-CoalCreekValley_MG_5527

The caretaker's cottage really stands out against the brilliant blue sky, white clouds, and bright green grass on this April afternoon.
04112011JGW-EmiquonCaretakerCottage_MG_5528

04112011JGW-EmiquonMortonRidge_MG_5534

Prairie Road winds around between the bluffs and the prairie.
04112011JGW-EmiquonPrairieRoad_MG_5529

My favorite Hackberry tree also stands out against the blue sky filled with billowing clouds.
04112011JGW-EmiquonPrairieRoadHackberryTree_MG_5540

Looking back at the sun, which is beginning to set over the bluffs.
04112011JGW-EmiquonMortonRidge_MG_5552

One last stop, at the Prairie Road wetland, before I head back up the bluff towards home.
04112011JGW-EmiquonPrairieRoadWetland_MG_5567