Eagle at Hamm's Holiday Harbor

We stopped by Hamm's Holiday Harbor on our way down River Beach Drive. Our first eagle of the day was in a tree over looking the river off the dredged beach.

He took off as I was photographing some juncos. Scott said, "He's going to fly," and I looked up just in time to get this shot.

Photos originally uploaded by jward199

Eagle with Fish and Flag

As we drove south on River Beach Drive, we came across 7 eagles. This one had just captured a fish! He flew past a neighbor's American Flag as he took his fish to a better eating place.















Photos originally uploaded by jward199

Northern Harrier and Horned Larks in Woodford County

The light was shining on the red barn by the Woodford SFWA.

This male Northern Harrier was flying low over the grassland along Route 26 in Woodford County.

I spotted him as we were driving North and found a pull over and waited for him to fly past.

Four or five of these little guys were in the cornfields on the way into Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area. I thought they were Lapland Longspurs, but it turns out that they are Horned Larks, but just not very good poses to see the marks I was looking for. Thanks, Jim, for helping with this ID!

Photos originally uploaded by jward199

Sandhill Cranes at Jasper-Pulaski

Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area in Northwestern Indiana provides an ideal stopover for migratory birds. More than 10,000 sandhill cranes stop during fall migration. My friend and I had the opportunity to visit the cranes last weekend, on Saturday November 10, 2007.

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Originally uploaded by jward199

Deer and Cranes

Deer grazed around the edges of the pasture while cranes foraged in the corn fields and pasture.

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Originally uploaded by jward199

Feet Down, Coming in For a Landing

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Originally uploaded by jward199

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!