Six Glossy/White-faced Ibises at Emiquon in November!

Ibises are rarely seen in Illinois. I found a couple last month, was surprised, and assumed they had moved on. Today, a day starting out quite cold for November (12 degrees, Yikes!) warmed up to 32 by 3:00 in the afternoon, when I took a tour through the visitor complex at TNC's Emiquon Nature Preserve.  As I drove through the turn around, just past the canoe launch, I stopped to watch a small flock of birds flying in. At first I thought they were herons, but they were all turned around and backwards; then I thought of the Black-necked Stilts that nest in the summer, but the bill was too curved, so I realized they were Ibises, probably juveniles, and either Glossy or White-faced.  By the time I got my camera out and exited the car, they had landed and began to blend in with the background. Photos are attached. 

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

Ibises at Emiquon in October

by Jane Ward

Observation Date: October 16, 2013
Location: Boardwalk at Emiquon Wetland Access
Weather: 50 degrees, sunny and pleasant

On Wednesday, October 16, I took a walk along the boardwalk at the Emiquon Wetland Observatory. I saw two birds out in the wetland that did not look like herons. I zoomed my lens out and found two Ibises, either Glossy or White-faced. They let me take a few pictures before relocating to a less visible area.

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

Clark Road in October.

Observed by: Jane Ward
Date: October 16, 2013
Location: Clark Road, and Clark Road Pathway to bridge
Weather: 50 degrees, sunny and pleasant

I walked along Clark Road on this beautiful October afternoon and took a few photos to share.  

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

Goldenrod in Bloom

On a short walk along the pathway from Clark Road to the wetland bridge, Goldenrod was in full bloom, turning the entire area a brilliant yellow gold.

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

Finally, a Monarch!

Observed by: Jane Ward
Date: August 17, 2013
Location: Emiquon Wetland Observatory
Weather: 77 degrees, 50% humidity, winds 6.9 mph, clear sky

On a brief walk around the loop at the end of the path around the Wetland Observatory, on Saturday, August 17, I found a lone Monarch butterfly, as well as a Dickcissel perched on a dried bloom. From the observation deck I could see the cormorant nests across the lake.

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

Sunday Morning in July

Observed by: Jane Ward
Date: July 28, 2013
Location: Clark Road, Prairie Road, and County 9
Weather: 60 degrees, sunny, winds 8 mph

On Sunday, July 28, 2013, I took a drive through Emiquon and shot several landscapes with gorgeous billowing clouds in the background. I started out on Clark Road, then drove to Prairie Road, where I took some photos of the scrolling flowers growing up the bluff. I ended the trip by driving back on County 9 and took a photo of the field that is still full of water after the spring floods.

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

ECD: Thoughts & Observations: Snowy Emiquon

On Monday afternoon, after receiving eight inches of snow overnight, the snow was already melting from the landscape. 

ECD: Thoughts & Observations: Snowy Emiquon: 

by Jane Garrison Ward 

Date: March 25, 2013 

Location: Emiquon, Clark Road  

Weather: Overcast, 34 degrees, Snow-covered 

ECD: Thoughts & Observations: A Drive Through Emiquon

ECD: Thoughts & Observations: A Drive Through Emiquon: by Jane Garrison Ward Observation Date: March 20, 2013 Location: Emiquon NWR, Globe Tract, Co. 9 Road Weather: Partly cloudy, Northwe...

"I drove through the valley this afternoon and did not see any snow geese. Several eagles were hanging around the edge of Thompson Lake, as well as a couple of hawks and two Northern Harriers. There were many different species of waterfowl, both diving and dabbling ducks, many Canada geese, a dozen or so American White Pelicans, and a more than a dozen swans, either tundra or trumpeter were grazing in the flooded fields of the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge.

"Snow Geese may still be around the area, but I didn't see them yesterday or today. This is an exciting time at Emiquon.  The water in the lake is rising along with the water in the Illinois river, and with the cold up north, the Snow Geese may show up again before heading on to breeding grounds."

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