Sunset over Thompson Lake

By September 4, the weather had cooled down and it was quite pleasant. I stopped by the Emiquon Nature Preserve visitor access area and took a few photos of the lake in the setting sun.


I walked past the canoe launch on my way to the elevated observation platform.


As I climbed the steps to the overlook at the Wetland Observatory, I turned to look towards the sun setting over the bluffs on the other side of the highway.






The waxing half moon was rising as the sun set behind the nature preserve.

Clark Road Pathway Overgrown

On the last day of August, I decided to take a walk down the pathway from Clark road to the levee. The pathway was completely overgrown with wetland plants that heavy rains created in June and early July, before the oppressive heat and corresponding drought moved into the area.


Great Blue Lobelia bloomed at the edge of the prairie.


The pond the beavers created under the bridge was dried up, and the plants had taken over.






Plants blocked the pathway leading away from the bridge TNC built to cross the stream that crosses the path.


I fought my way past the plants only to find more plants; no trace of the former pathway could be found. Foxtail grass, Sneeze Weed, Boneset, and Ironweed, sedges and other wetland plants covered the open acres of land between the stream and Thompson Lake.

Duncan Mills

I took the long way home from Emiquon, taking Route 100 to Lewistown. This route passes the corner of Duncan Mills, an unincorporated community near the Spoon River. I have long admired an old barn near the intersection of US 136 and IL 100.




An automobile garage is the only business left in the area.


Here is a photo from long ago, when there was a mill here:

Short Trip Through the Prairie

After meeting with the Emiquon Corps of Discovery at Dickson Mounds Museum, I drove through the prairie to see if the Cardinal Flower was still in bloom. I found several of the brilliant red plants blooming at the foot of the bluff along Prairie Road:


I found several Anise Hyssop plants blooming, which is rare in Illinois. Typical habitats include upland areas of prairies, such as the one at the base of the bluff here at Emiquon. It may also be found in scrubby barrens and thickets.


The cup flowers had almost finished blooming by mid-August.

Summer Sunrise at Emiquon

The summer of 2011 was sweltering here in Fulton County, as in much of the nation, and I didn't venture out very often. Early one day in August, I woke to find the temperature had dropped into the upper 60s. A cool front! So I headed to the Lake Observatory at Emiquon Nature Preserve's newly opened visitor center.

 From the boardwalk at the Lake Observatory, I could see across the lake to the Wetland Observatory, which was silhouetted against the morning sky.

Crop Dusting the Valley

Mid-July a flurry of crop dusting took place, with planes flying directly over our little house on the bluff.

Simmering July 2011

July was a hot and humid month, with temps around 100 degrees, heat index even higher. I didn't get out much. But I did stop on the way along IL 78 to take some photos of a couple of barns in disrepair. They will not be with us long. I keep telling myself to take a picture while I can, so I finally did!




Later in the month, on a trip to Peoria, I stopped at the sunflower field north of Banner Marsh. I love sunflowers in July!

From the Top -- Emiquon Wetland Observatory

Black Saddle-bag and Common Green Darner dragonflies patroled the area by the Wetland Observatory. I was able to capture this one dragonfly in flight. The others were mere blurs against the background as they changed course and zoomed out of focus.


I turned back on the steps to the upper level of the observatory and took a photo of IL 78/97 as it heads up the bluff. The Nature Conservancy owns the upper woodlands on both sides of the highway.


Double-crested Cormorants and Cattle Egrets rested on the snags out on the far side of the lake.


Looking back the other way, I captured the boardwalk in the setting sun.


The canoe launch sat empty and unused, yet peaceful against the blue sky.

Emiquon in June on a Not-So-Humid Day

After a week or so of oppressive humid heat in early June, some cooler air blew in over the Emiquon Wetland Observatory.

As I entered the compound from the highway, I paused and looked south towards Havana. Bright blue sky and billowing clouds filled the sky behind the remaining foundations left over from farming.


Looking North, the trees that once surrounded the farm houses and buildings stood tall on the grass emerging after the year-long construction project.


The Lake Observatory is closest to the boat ramp. The boardwalk reaches out over the edge of Lake Thompson.


Looking north across the lake from here I could see the long boardwalk leading to the Wetland Observatory.




Looking to the west towards the highway and the upland bluffs of Morton Mounds, a semi-truck passes by.


I started out on the boardwalk that crosses the wetland on its way out to the observatory.


Long ropes of algae made patterns in the water.


As the humidity began to rise, clouds formed over the bluffs.


And a Red-winged Blackbird called out to mark his nesting territory.


A female Red-wing also stood watch nearby.