Cooper Park On Ice

Cooper Park was under ice after a deep freeze when Scott and I visited on February 7, 2009.

Heron Park, Vermillion County

Scott had a meeting in Danville on Tuesday morning. After his meeting we drove to Heron Park to check out the heron rookery. The parking area was closed, and huge chunks of cement were stacked behind one of the gates. There was room to pull off the road in front of the gate. We parked and walked the boardwalk before checking out the rookery.


We saw four Turkey Vultures soaring in the air over the park and later over Danville. Although there were no Herons sitting on the nests, four Herons flew over while we were there.

Two Red-tailed Hawks were cruising the area.


Four Bald Eagles flew over while we walked the trail near the Heron rookery.



Thousands of Canada Geese were on the water, with more coming in the entire time we were at the park. The sound of their honking filled the air.

These two geese were in the little pond by the rookery.

Several Red-winged Blackbirds were trilling around the edges of the water.

January Raptor Survey: Eagle Migration Day

We did the Raptor Survey on the last day of January. Scott and I had done a survey earlier in the month, but my notebook with the data disappeared. We took the opportunity of beautiful sunny day on the last day of the month to repeat the survey. We must have hit the road on Eagle Migration Day, because we spotted 24 Bald Eagles, some juveniles, some adults, flying along the bluffs of the river just north of Banner Marsh. They were in groups of 3, 4, 4, and 8. All were too far for decent photographs, but we enjoyed watching them soar over the bluffs, some interacting with each other in the air before flying on their way.






Between Bartonville and where IL 78 splits from IL 24 and turns south towards Emiquon we only spotted 4 Red-tailed hawks. They apparently were all hiding down at Emiquon, where we found 10 Red-tailed hawks along with a couple of Northern Harriers, and three Rough-legged Hawks. Six of the Red-tailed and the three Rough-legged hawks were all along Clark road. Some were hunting out in the fields, some cruising along the bluff that runs along the west side of Clark Road. Two of the Rough-legged hawks were hovering in the strong breeze out over the prairie.

Baker Hollow Revisited

On our way back from Emiquon on Friday, we stopped at Baker Hollow Creek, which runs down the bluff into the proposed Banner Mine site. This stream is a perennial stream, which means it runs year round. It ends at the wet prairie where I found the threated Decurrent False Asters. It just seeps into the porous ground and disappears into the ground water system.

I found a spot in the sunlight where the ice was melted and the birds were gathering. Goldfinches, Cardinals, and Bluebirds were flying to and fro. What a lovely spot! I watched through my 400 mm lens from the bridge, not being allowed onto the property for a proper look.










Scott is looking at the foot prints of the many animals that cross the snowy path every day. Rabbits, mice, voles, coyotes, raccoons, and more . . . this place is alive!

Emiquon in January

As I drive down IL 78/93 and come around the bend at the top of the bluff, I get my first glimpse of Thompson Lake at Emiquon.


I go a little farther and I see it in its glory: Thompson Lake! A lake which had completely vanished under farm land has been reborn. You can see Prairie Road leading to The Nature Conservancy on the right.


Pumphouse Road runs through the lake now. You need a canoe to cross to the other side when it isn't frozen. Today I supposed I could walk across, but I didn't try that.


I look to the south, and I see Havana's powerplant, steam billowing into the air.


To the north I see frozen lake covered in snow with the bluffs in the distance.


As we drove north on 78, an American Kestrel flew from the wire to the other side of the highway.



We drove along Emiquon Prairie Road past The Nature Conservancy.




We saw a hawk on the side of the road. When he took off we could see that it was a female Northern Harrier. I wasn't prepared for that! Photos are fuzzy, but here they are:




We found six hawks along Clark Road. Of course I was driving, and by the time I would get out of the car to take a photo, they were gone. They seemed to be in pairs, hunting the fields on the east and the bluffs on the west side of the road.


This guy posed briefly before flying to the other side of the bluff.


This guy, most likely a Red-tailed Hawk, landed way out in the prairie, with the sun providing a back light that made him or her a mere silhouette.


This guy, a Rough-legged Hawk, flew directly over my head while I was out of the car.


Emiquon is a delight, no matter the time of year or time of day. Conditions continually change and the landscape changes with it. I eagerly await the open waters of spring!