Surprising Fly By

While shooting butterflies, a startling number of geese took flight just a few hundred yards away. They reached a photo pleasing altitude as they flew close by. Luckily, my f-stop was cranked up for some bit of background cloud definition.



This Blogger photo looks fuzzy, click photo for much better detail.

A Few Miscellaneous Scenics

I have no time for blogging! I hate that! We can hopefully return to your regularly scheduled program next week? In the meantime, I have these to share:

Canada Geese

I didn't know it at the time, but after reviewing my images, an eagle was captured in the background with these geese.

Goose Lake Menagerie

The last of the latest in Goose Lake!




The Cabin is hard NOT to photograph, as I have shot 100's of frames.



The sunrise in the tall grass is also a fav of mine.



The geese are always around, so a take off shot is irresistible.



The Palm Warbler is the most abundant migrater at the prairie.



The snipe can sometimes be caught flying in the morning, just after the fog has burnt off.

Ground Control To Major Tom...

"Canada Air to ground control, we are approaching Goose Lake, permission to land...over..."
Tower: "Permission to land...over..."



"Tower, what is our clearance...over?"
Tower: "Inches...over.."


"Tower, we are setting down now...over..."
Tower: "Proceed to tarmac...over..."


Intercom: "Welcome passengers, to Goose Lake Prairie, we hope you enjoy your stay..."



"Now, where in the [bleep] is baggage claim?"

Good Weekend, Bad Weekend

I'll begin with the bad news, and get it out of the way...

I didn't see the Sandhills... but... at least I heard them. The prairie is at it's tallest, which makes for perfect cover for these large birds to hide. On Friday, I swear I was within 20 feet of a pair, but couldn't see them. I stayed until past sunset, and had to leave empty-handed...but I think there at least 3 pair out there which is great news for the prairie.
Anyway...I did get these shots while waiting, which made the day alittle less boring...











Then...I see some strange birds coming toward me in the sky...



What in the world....?

Could it be....?

No way....!

You can't mistake that bill, they have to be Glossy Ibises!

I honestly never thought I would ever see one around here. So... IT WAS AMAZING! In this part of our planet, we don't get much more than your popular GB Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, and the occasional Black-crowned. Ibises are on another planet as far as I am concerned... The Chicago lakeshore birding community might see a flyover, but never ever down here.



Now THAT makes for a good weekend!

(The shots came out horrible, because of handling malfunctions, but I still have to smile at them!)

Goose Lake Potpourri

A few left over photos...



Are you ever walking along a path, and a huff/snort comes from a nearby bush, and out leaps a deer? Who can resist a photo op, although my intent is never to disturb...






Splashes of texture and color in this one...







This very cooperative wren has taken up residence in a nearby birdhouse to start a family...







I believe this butterfly is an American Lady...







Cragg Cabin is always a draw for photographers at Goose Lake Prairie State Park...







When walking a trail, I flushed what I think were 4 grouse. Obviously by the photo I couldn't get a good ID.

Goose Lake Flora and Fauna

Going to the marsh every day led to plenty of interesting photos along the way.



Black-eyed Susans are a common prairie plant, giving color to the tall grass palette.





Another "lifebird" for me, the Orchard Oriole couple gave clues to their presence with their song. Thanks to Bird Girl for mentioning that these are immatures &/or females!






The Marsh Wren, another "lifer", was singing at the marsh where the bitterns resided.







The Geese flew in to the first lake that you encounter at the beginning of the trails.





In the heart of the prairie, Cragg Cabin can be viewed in the distance.





As the sun rose, the geese woke up and flew to a new location for breakfast.





Another "lifer", Greater Yellowlegs fished the shoreline.






This particular one caught a bullfrog!





The landing gear is down, please put your seats in their upright positions...




On a foggy wet morning, the cabin can take on a different look, which made for a nice monochrome.




On our path to the marsh, "Ridge" found some honey bees making a branch their temporary home, while the scouts looked for a new site.





We learned later, that when bees congregate in a tree with no hive, it's because their old home was most likely destroyed, so they wait patiently (up to 24 hours), until the scouts select a new site to be built.




They were gone by that evening.





Not knowing a thing about either the plant or the winged insect, I labeled this photo butterfly plant. I do not even know if it is a butterfly. But...there were hundreds of these white winged creatures all over plants like this.

First New Chicks of the Season

The goslings are here!
The pictures below are of 1 day old chicks. There are 5 of them and the Canada Geese are excellent parents. I took pictures from the car, so as to not upset them. If I were to step out of the car, the male most likely would have shouted obscenities and chased me away. The car was of no concern to them, as long as I didn't approach too fast or too close. I have learned this from experience. When I was a bright and shiny new wildlife photographer, I didn't know the unspoken rules, but learned them fast. I had greater success from the car as my blind, then from walking around. I prefer to leave with a whisper. Let's keep nature a peaceful place!


I don't know about you, but I am always excited to see the first hatchlings of Spring!





The adorable fuzzy yellow goslings can put you in a great mood, watching them pull on grass and walk awkwardly...





They tested the waters with mom and dad just a few inches away, bobbing their heads underwater to experience a whole new world...





They play so hard, that when sleep comes, they seem to be just a little crabby...




Mom and Dad keep a close eye over them as they learn about the world...





Exploring is very tiring...





Mom and Dad show them where the good tasting grass is...

They grow up so fast, and turn from a cute and fuzzy bright yellow to a tall and lanky gray in just a few days. I love the cute and fuzzy yellow stage the best!

Broken Wing Distraction Technique of a Killdeer

The Killdeer is the largest of the ringed plovers, and the only plover in its range with a double breast band. Killdeers have brown upperparts, white underparts, and orange rumps. Adults and juveniles look the same year round, but young, downy chicks have a single breast band. In flight, the Killdeer's long, slender wings have conspicuous white wing stripes.
During the breeding season, Killdeers are easily observed vocalizing and performing broken-wing displays to distract intruders away from nests and chicks. Pairs defend territories, and individuals spread out while foraging. Killdeers have a 'running-stopping-bobbing' gait. Killdeers are extremely vocal and respond to disturbance with sharp alarm calls.


This particular Killdeer was very good at the fake broken wing display. (Click photo to enlarge for detail.)




For some reason, I liked this shot with the goose.




This is the only flight shot I have managed to get that was decent. I liked the sky.