Red-tailed Hawk # 3.

Red-tailed Hawk # 4.

Downy Woodpecker.

Decurrent Fals Asters growing around the boardwalk at Cooper Park Wetland in Tazewell County.

Punk Heron and Egret.

Great Blue Heron sunning on a log.

Great Egret wading in the waters of Lower Peoria Lake along the Illinois River, north of Cooper Park Wetlands.

Turkey Vulture, Double-crested Cormorants, and More

Turkey Vulture at Springdale Cemetery. He was sunning his wings in a tree along the border of one of the burial grounds on the back bluff over looking the river.

Turkey Vulture. He turned and flew away, joining another vulture who was cruising the river valley.

American White Pelicans soaring on the thermals over Springdale Cemetery.

Great Egret flying past a Double-crested Cormorant who was swimming in the Illinois River near Cooper Park in Tazewell County.

Great Egret landing near a Great Blue Heron.

Double-crested Cormorant. # 1

Double-crested Cormorant. # 2

Double-crested Cormorant. # 3

Double-crested Cormorant. # 4

Double-crested Cormorant. # 5

Double-crested Cormorant. # 6

Buckeye Butterfly.

Song Sparrow. He and several buddies were hiding in the bushes along the point at Spindler Marina, north of Cooper Park.

Red-tailed Hawk. As we arrived at Cooper Park last Thursday, a Red-tailed Hawk swooped down and captured a rodent in the grass between the highway and the frontage road. He flew up to the top of a huge Good Year sign to eat his morning snack.

Red-tailed Hawk, eating his prey.

Red-tailed Hawk, looking around before continuing to eat.

Red-tailed Hawk, turning to show us his tail.

Red-tailed Hawk, resting after his meal.

Jubilee, Springdale, Forest Park, and Glen Oak

Our first Summer Tanager at Jubilee College State Park on Friday morning.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak in nonbreeding plumage.

Chipping Sparrows at Jubilee College State Park. A dozen or more disappeared in the clover and grass growing among old corn stubbles.

Common Nighthawk. We counted thirty in a 20 minute period flying over Springdale Cemetery Thursday evening.


We think this may be a Herring Gull. The orange is from the sunset.

Cedar Waxwing at Springdale Savanna.

Chipmunk at Forest Park.

White-breasted Nuthatch.

Eastern Wood-Pewee at Glen Oak Park. We were photographing the many mushrooms popping up all over the park when we noticed some interesting birds in the tree line along the picnic area.

Red-eyed Vireo, the other profile. Glen Oak Park.

Red-eyed Vireo, without the red eye.

Great Crested Flycatcher.

Hummingbirds and Monarchs at Cooper Park

Monarch Butterfly at Cooper Park on Tuesday afternoon. The butterflies and hummingbirds were every where we looked in the Spotted Forget-Me-Nots.

Wood Duck in nonbreeding plumage with a Mallard.

Monarch Migration.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 1.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 2.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 3.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 4.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 5.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 6.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 7.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird # 8.

Great Blue Heron in the beaver pond at Cooper Park.

Champaign and Vermillion County Wetlands

Immature Bald Eagle soaring over the wetlands at Middle Fork River Preserve in Champaign County. Who knew there were wetlands in Champaign County? Not easy to find, it is a wonderful bird sanctuary, closed to the public during nesting time in the spring.