Emiquon Panorama: Thompson Lake

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-crowned Night-Heron at Emiquon

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

 

 

Path 2: Pumphouse Road

Pumphouse Road runs across Thompson Lake to the main dike along the Illinois River. It is sometimes covered with water, is always muddy and rutted, so I never drive but only walk when I visit the lake.

 

Emiquon Dragonflies

This morning my daughter drove down to Emiquon with me. I was glad to have the company and to give her the opportunity to photograph and study the flowers and butterflies that are abundant this summer. When we stopped by Path 2 and walked out to Thompson Lake, which is already a nice sized lake, what struck us most was the large number of dragonflies that were flying everywhere we looked! I ran across an interesting article on Dragonflies in Illinois that says they are an indication of a healthy wetlands area, so I think that means that Emiquon is off to a great start in its transformation from a cornfield back into the dynamic wetland it once was.

Here is a link to the article:
http://smokytrudeau.tripod.com/writtenbysmokytrudeau/id4.html

Snowy Egret at Emiquon!!!

As usual, I drove through the Emiquon valley on route 78/97 to get a good picture of the entire area. On my right I noticed several conspicuous white birds through the openings between foliage and recognized a large number of Great Egrets. I turned at the first chance and headed back. I took the first turn-off and after watching for traffic (which is fierce on this highway!) I crossed the road and walked west to find the openings in foliage. 50 or 60 Great Egrets, and 20 or more Great Blue Herons were in the newly plowed fields (plowed before the planting of natural prairie and wetland plants!). Among them I spotted my very first Snowy Egret!!!!! A life bird for me! :)

 

 

 

 

Silver-spotted Skipper on Clover.

 

The Emiquon Ridge is changing as The Nature Conservancy begins planting trees.

 

 

Twelve-spotted Skimmer Dragonflies.

 

 

Path 2 runs into Thompson Lake, which is growing as water comes back into the Emiquon valley.

 

Dickcissel singing in the newly forming prairies in the Emiquon Valley.

 

A Bobwhite Quail scurried along the path at the base of the Emiquon ridge. A few minutes later I flushed three quail as I walked through some tall grass. They startled me as much as I did them!

 

 

 

Western Salsify

 

Musk Thistle

 

 

Roundleaf Groundsel

 

Emiquon Preserve at Sunset

As we reach the top of the ridge after turning onto SR 97/78, the Emiquon Sign welcomes us to the nature preserve.

 

Clouds blew in just before sunset.

 

Lark Sparrows at the entrance of Path #1.

 

 

Path #1 runs along the top of the ridge.

 

View of Emiquon Valley.