Miscellaneous Photographs of the Emiquon Valley

Just past Sister Creeks Farm, off Grain Bin Road, there is a barn I like to photograph.


Here it is through my telephoto lens from the North side of Emiquon near Mud Road.


A couple of Turkey Vultures were dining on an unlucky raccoon on Clark Road, near the Emiquon Preserve.




Smalls Ragwort is in bloom along Clark Road and in the prairie at the north end of the preserve.








We found several pairs of Bobolinks in the north prairie.








Construction of the new observation/boat launch area was temporarily stopped due to high waters.


Several Spotted Sandpipers were combing the narrow edge exposed as the lake slowly recedes from its highest waters.



One hunted on top of a muskrat den.


A Common Yellowthroat peeked out from the brush before vanishing in front of my eyes.


A Song Sparrow sang near where the Yellowthroat disappeared.

Buffalo Gnats at Emiquon

Buffalo Gnats are back! They are very aggressive and come in large clouds of bugs intent on dining on my mucous membranes. Scott and I took a walk along Morton Ridge at Emiquon, and the gnats were thick. We didn't stay long.

These aren't buffalo gnats, but some other species swarming above my head.





I haven't been able to actually photograph a buffalo gnat, they are always diving at me and making me flee before I can take a photograph. Buggins Natural Insect Repellent worked a little, but after about 10 minutes, the gnats were diving at me again, biting me on my neck, leaving large welts.

From the ridge you can see Thompson Lake running from horizon to horizon.

View to the North:


View of Prairie Road:


View to the South (you can see Havana!):


In the estuary that used to be Mud Lake, Pelicans and Egrets were gathering.


On the way back to the car, a Bluebird flew to one of the Bluebird boxes along the ridge.

Woodland Wildflowers at Emiquon

Last Saturday, the Emiquon Corps of Discovery went on a wildflower field trip. We found several species along Coal Creek, which runs behind TNC headquarters.

Spring Beauty was still growing along the creek and hillside.




Dutchman's Breeches were mostly past bloom, but I did find a few samples with blossoms.


Buttercups grew along the banks of the creek.


Wild Mustard was blooming along the path.


We encountered a couple of small patches of Virginia Bluebells.


Rosebud trees were in bloom.


Sweet William was scattered up the hillside.


Cutleaf Toothwort hadn't bloomed yet, but appeared ready to bloom.


We found several Jack-in-the-Pulpit plants.


And several Purple Trillium, one of which was blooming!

Pelicans in April

March brought Snow Geese to Emiquon, and April brought Pelicans! Thousands of pelicans were all over Thompson Lake. You never knew where you would find them. One day they were all out on the North end of the lake, the next they were out along the front of the lake where construction is going on. Other times they were far out at the South end of the lake. Then on Monday, they were flying all around and landing in the fields West of IL 78, flying directly over my head. A fantastic show for all!

At the South end of the lake:


At the North end:




Across from Prairie Road along Il 78:




Flying directly overhead:






Out in the fields at Emiquon West:


Flying over County Road 9:




Flying over Prairie Road:


Among the debris at the construction site North of the boat launch:

They're Back! More Snow Geese

On Thursday, with 68 degree weather and beautiful billowing clouds blowing across a blue sky, Thompson Lake was wide open. Ducks and Coots were not as plentiful as they were just a few days ago, and we weren't seeing many geese flying over. However, as we approached the far southern end of the lake, we could see a long line of white about a mile out on the water. We turned around at the National Wildlife Refuge and stopped at the pull-off directly across from the line of white. Before I could get out of the car, the Snow Geese making up this long line started rising from the water. Scott and I estimate about 50,000 geese in this flock. It was fun to watch them rise and fall, rearranging themselves in the water, but not leaving.









A few lines of geese flew off from the flock.





A few Coots came in for a landing near the edge of the lake.



Looking North from Pumphouse Road pull-off towards the boat ramp, you can see the down power lines.



The power poles along the former Pump House Road that had been held up by the ice have fallen under water.



Along Prairie Road, new power poles bring power to The Nature Conservancy.