A second Red-tailed Hawk landed in a tree along the road to Dixon Mounds.

 

 

The Red-tailed Hawk landed briefly in a tree along Prairie Road before disappearing over the ridge.

 

 

 

 

Springdale Cemetery in January

Saturday the air was cool but the light was bright and the shadows were striking at Springdale Cemetery. I walked up and down the bluffs for several hours with my camera and found many interesting things to photograph. The light and shadows fascinated me as I continuted to search for birds and other creatures that live in the cemetery.

The first thing I saw when I walked along the creekside road was an adult Bald Eagle soaring over the bluffs. Seconds later I spotted an Eastern Red-tailed Hawk. Later on my walk an owl flew over, being chased by jays and crows. He landed in a tree on a distant bluff and then was hounded away. Later, as I headed down the bluff, I spotted another Red-tailed Hawk flying into a tree. When I got close enough to attempt a photo he flew to another tree. Then a second hawk flew to the tree and the first hawk flew away. In addition, I found deer in the pine trees behind the little hillside savanna. All in all it was an excellent day!

 

Deer at Springdale
While walking under the pine trees behind the little hillside savanna, I found three deer grazing. They slowly walked down the bluff and left me to mind my own affairs.

 

 

Springdale Creek
Springdale Creek runs through the cemetery. It is a dry creek most of the time, but on Saturday it was running strong.

 

 

 

Abandoned Park Building
This building has only desintegrated over the 20 years that we'ver lived in Peoria. It looks like part of the park district and is fenced off from the cemetery. It is sometimes covered with huge tarps that must cost a fortune, but after the first storm they start to fall apart and no one does anything. Lately they seem to have given up trying to cover it. I think at this point they should recover any materials (the tile roof!) and tear it down. What is the point of preserving it like this?

 

View from the Cemetery
In the winter when the leaves are off the trees you can see the river and the McCluggage Bridge from the high river bluffs.

 

 

 

Shadows and Light
The light on the monuments and hillsides was outstanding.

 

 

 

Springdale savanna
The Cole monument stands in the center of the savanna under a huge sassafras tree.

 

 

 

Eagle and Hawk at Springdale Cemetery

Saturday was a glorious day, low 40s in temp but a deep blue sky and fabulous light with striking shadows. The first thing I saw when I arrived at Springdale Cemetery was an adult American Bald Eagle soaring over the bluffs.

 

 

 

Eastern Red-tailed Hawk
When I arrived at Springdale I looked up and saw an eagle soaring overhead, as I turned to get a better view I spotted what I thought was a Krider's Red-tailed Hawk soaring over the bluffs. I couldn't see a belly-band, but it turns out that it is an Eastern with faded body feathers due to wear making the belly band very faint.

 

 

 

 

Song Sparrow in the Brush
This little guy put on quite a show for me in the brush on the back side of the savanna. The Peoria Wilds group has done a great job clearing brush; there used to be much more. A few clumps remain and the little birds were taking advantage of it to hide from me as I approached, except this guy, who let me take some photos before disappearing in the brush.

 

 

Forest Park Nature Preserve

Forest Park was alive with deer and birds as Scott and I went on our walk last Thursday. The light was great and the animals were cooperative!

Deer Crossing

 

 

 

 

Black-capped Chickadee at the feeder.

 

Song Sparrow in the prairie remnant.