Sandhill Crane Silhouettes Filled the Skies

Cranes filled the evening sky as they flew into the pasture from all directions for their nightly social....

Sandhill Cranes in the Setting Sun

They began to do a little dance as the sun went down!

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Originally uploaded by jward199

Sandhill Cranes at Sunset

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Originally uploaded by jward199

Flying in by the thousands.

Sandhill Crane Silhouette

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Originally uploaded by jward199

Fall Wooly Worm

Ed took this photo of an orange wooly worm at Cooper Park a couple of weeks ago.

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Originally uploaded by Ed Kinsel

Eagles at Emiquon

As I walked out towards Thompson Lake, I noticed two large birds hovering over the water. When I got closer I could see that they were eagles, one immature, and one just coming into its adult plumage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Backyard Cooper's Hawk

A juvenile hawk, which I believe is a Cooper's Hawk, swooped down and captured a small bird, then landed on the neighbor's fence to eat it. After that he captured a pigeon and returned to the fence for his feast. He was there for over an hour hunting and eating. This is one juvenile hawk who has learned to hunt!

 

Black-crowned Night Heron flushed as I walked Path 2 (Pumphouse Road)at the Emiquon Preserve.

 

 

Chimney Swifts

Chimney Swifts funneling into the neighbor's chimney.

 

 

 

 

Juvenile Broad-winged Hawk at Funk's Grove

Juvenile Hawk, formerly thought to be a Sharp-shinned but now known to be a juvenile Broad-winged (please see comments below for an explanation). He is eating a large bug, possibly a praying mantis. I hope he has learned to hunt other prey, as those bugs will be gone before long and he has to feed himself this winter. If you click on the bottom photo to see the larger picture, you will see that there are little heart shapes on his legs, making it look like he's wearing valentines boxers or pantaloons!

 

 

 

I lightened this photo to show the pattern on the tail. So, what do you think, Red-shouldered or Broad-winged?

 

Midewin Tallgrass Prairie

A panoramic view across the prairie from the trail off Explosives Road.

 

Explosives Road Trail at Midewin.

 

 

 

 

North Access at Chautauqua Lake

Great White Egrets, Eurasian Tree Sparrows, and Red-headed Woodpeckers were among the many birds last weekend at the refuge.

 

 

 

 

Eastern Kingbird catching flies.

 

 

 

 

Lesser Yellowlegs at Emiquon

Lesser Yellowlegs on Pumphouse Road (Path 2) at Emiquon.