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| Female Mallard |
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| Creek at Lake Patterson |
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| Chipmunk, The squirrels and chipmunks were stocking their nests for winter. You could hear them running around in the underbrush, then see them running to hide what they had found. |
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| Cedar wax-wing |
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| There are still a lot of robins in the forests. They seem to be all ages. Are they leaving, or just staying here for the winter. |
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| Male Cardinal |
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| Bitter-sweet |
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| Osage Orange |
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| Milkweed |
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| Milkweed |
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| Milkweed |
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| He was with a flock of mallards. At first I thought it may be a mallard that had mated with something else! |
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| I had not realized I had a lifer, until I got home and started checking. |
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| Today was a fine day. This morning, I saw this beautiful fellow along route 25, just North of Aurora. Now I have a hawk and am not sure. I don't think it is a red-tailed, or a coopers. On a second note, there was a small article published in the Beacon New, Aurora about this blog. The link is below. |
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| On our little trip last week, we were going on a Mississippi River cruise for 4 hours. I was hoping I would get to see some eagles. I still have not gotten a good picture of one yet. Did see some American Coot in the harbor area. |
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| We did get the opportunity to see Double-crested Cormorant by the dozens, juveniles to adults. They were everywhere. |
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| Even got to see them in flight. |
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| We watched as this eagle circled around us, and eventually settled in this tree. Oh, I hope I get a better shot. I will take any I can get! |
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| I was hoping that I could see the American White Pelican in migration. All I got was seagulls! |
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| While sailing back toward the harbor, I did think I saw a white head in the distance. I did! This Eagle was feasting on lunch. |
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| I was able to get two pictures of him. I am so pleased with myself. These are the best view I have ever gotten. |
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| Back to the Cormorant. They were setting on branches in several parts of the river. They are interesting to watch. |
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| The closer we got to them, they looked ready to take flight. |
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| They were drying their wings. |
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| Just chilling. |
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| It was very interesting to watch how they took off. They hop along the water before taking flight. |
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| This one flock took off, and circled around the water and forest before flying out of sight. |
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| With these pictures you can see a lot of the different coloration's. Here I was thinking I had done good by seeing one or two around the area I live. It was fun and interesting to see them in flocks. |
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| This heron seemed to be standing or walking on a ledge near the edge of the lake. |
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| He did not mind being watched and photographed. |
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| At one point he decided to move away. |
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| He got a running start. |
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| Then finally took off. |
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| But did not go far. |
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| He wanted to let the fisherman know he was not liking then taking his fish! |
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| He settled down to watch what was going on. |
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| He still posed for me. |
 It was great being able to get up close and personal to this Great Blue Heron. |
| I took a walk around the pond, and enjoyed the scenery. I got in a mile walk. Once again, I was amazed at how many robins were still in the area. I don't think these birds are wanting to go anywhere. I think this will be another good place to visit again. Mary |
