October Road

Although I can still see the lake when I look across the newly planted bottomland forest from Clark Road, some day the Oaks, Pecans, and Sycamores will block the view.






Several small snakes didn't make it across the road in their attempt to get up the bluff from the grassland.




Few flowers bloomed.


Dragonflies were still abundant, and slower than they were in the hot months of summer, more likely to land.


Bumble Bees still buzzed about.


Katydids and spiders.


All to be found along Clark Road in October.

The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Wetland Observatory

The trees north of the entrance road leading to the Wetland Observatory displayed their autumn colors.


Dabbling ducks of various kinds filled the shallow waters of the wetland.


A group of people with some folks from TNC and Dickson Mounds Museum gathered out on the boardwalk overlooking the lake.


From the Lake Observatory boardwalk, I could see the Wetland Observatory, across water alive with plants and algae.


Pelicans and Cormorants lined up on the ridge between Flag and Thompson Lakes.

October Light

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

A view of the Emiquon Wetland Observatory from Clark Road shows the changing colors of early October.


In early Autumn, many insects are out sunning themselves, making it easier to get photographs:

Praying Mantis:




Common Green Darner dragonfly, female:


Common Green Darner, male:


Harvester:


A grackle seemed to be eyeing the insects I was photographing!


A female Indigo Bunting came out to see what was going on:


The trees between Clark Road and the lake are growing; one day I won't be able to see the lake from this point.