The Variety of Squirrels in Illinois

It seems that I have photographed all of the varieties of squirrels found in Illinois this year. So... I gathered them all for a final post about the different species:


The thirteen-lined ground squirrel is a slender rat-sized rodent weighing about 8 ounces with a length of about 10 inches including a tail of 3 inches. As its name implies, 13 stripes run the length of this ground squirrel’s body. Five of the light-colored lines break up into a series of spots as they progress down the back and over the rump. Five light and four dark stripes extend along the top of the head and end between the animal’s eyes.



Chipmunks are small members of the squirrel family (Sciuridae). There are about 20 species of western chipmunks and one species of eastern chipmunk in USA and Canada. Chipmunks can be found in woodlands, forest edges, bushes, gardens, parks, around houses or cemeteries. They have reddish-brown fur, with white and black stripes on their back. They also have long flat bushy tails.



Pine squirrels are small tree squirrels with bushy tails, and apart from the members of the genus Sciurus, they are probably the members of the large family Sciuridae that conform most closely to the commonly held idea of what a squirrel looks like and how it behaves.




Black squirrels are a melanistic phase of the Eastern Grey Squirrel. They are common in Midwestern North America and, in some places, outnumber the grey squirrels by a ratio of about ten to one.




The Fox Squirrel is the largest of the tree squirrels found in Illinois. It gets its name from its color that sometimes resembles a red fox. Fox Squirrels have large bushy tail with yellow-tipped hairs.


Now, about this particular squirrel, I have yet to be able to identify it (it's not an albino), so if anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated. There are 3 in the park of the same color-blondish-and has a heavier coat and seems to be slightly larger than fox squirrels.

Mute Swan & Mallard Ducklings

Mute Swans are always a beautiful site to see in the wild. I can usually spot them twice a year during migration. A good stop over for them is where 3 rivers meet & where American White Pelicans make the same place a resting stop.


This particular Swan seemed to be alittle too "tame". It approached me as I walked to the shore, suggesting it has probably been fed by humans. (I ruled out a tame swan "on the loose", because of past sitings in this exact locale.)

Note: As an introduced species it is of concern because of its effects on native wildlife. Its aggressive nature can disrupt the nesting of native waterfowl. It is protected in some states, but not others. Some states are attempting to control Mute Swan numbers. The Mute Swan is reported to mate for life. However, changing of mates does occur infrequently, and swans will remate if their partner dies. (Source: All About Birds)





My first ducklings of the season! There were a total of 7, but getting them all in 1 shot was nearly impossible. I guess I never knew just how active they were until I observed these little guys. It was non-stop action and I felt sorry for poor mom, having to look after these guys going in every direction.

Daytime Nighthawk

Stopping at my local warbler station, I set up my comfy camp chair and relaxed under the bluest sky nil of clouds. The light breezes and sunshine made for the perfect 70-ish degree day. I didn't care if I saw a bird or not; it was more about soaking in the gorgeous day and what it had to offer. Then something flew over my head...


It took me a few seconds, because I have only seen these once before during the daylight hours and they were extremely high in the sky at the time... A Nighthawk!-WOW!


Then another and another and another...COOL! I watched them circle above me for awhile, then head north...It got me thinking maybe I should follow them, so I did.


I found about 10 of them at a pond within the park, swooping down low... like swallows do. They were feeding! I took all the shots I could, but these guys are really really fast! They fed and they left, and I have to say that I was so disappointed when they did. I had such a good time with them as they were buzzing around my head. Who can say they got to spend a few minutes watching nighthawks feed, up close and personal? It was truly...amazing!



Cool Facts: Pursuing flying insects at dusk and dawn, the Common Nighthawk can be seen flying its floppy flight in rural or urban areas. Its white wing patches and eratic flight make it look like a big bat with headlights, and it is known in some areas as the "bullbat." It also has a tiny beak with a large gape, surrounded by stiff feathers called rictal bristles, which help the bird catch its aerial prey. The male Common Nighthawk has a dramatic booming display used during the breeding season. He flies around at a moderate height, then dives straight toward the ground. Somewhere just about two meters from the ground he turns upward. At the bottom of the dive he flexes his wings downward, and the air rushing through his wingtips makes a deep booming sound. The dives are directed at females, young nighthawks, intruders, and even people. (Source: All About Birds)

Lighting is Everything!

I was so happy with the lighting on this series that I had to share a few...




The contrast of the yellows and the greens complimented each other for a bright picture.




Yellow Warblers are abundant if you know where to look at this time of year.

Wordless Wednesday-Eastern Kingbird

Good Intentions

I saw a cute picture over at Richards blog that I just loved and actually gave it to my significant other as a joke. We both thought it was hilarious, and then on sunday, this bunny made the joke come alive. As the bunny was eatin, we were quoting the words...and ahhhh, it just tickled me to no end...

Bluebird Security

Security: Everybody needs it. We all provide some of our own on different levels. Some of us have had security broken on some level, which causes more drastic measures for protection, and the bottom line is, we have property to protect. It is no different for Bluebirds. They have duties to perform for nature and life, so protecting their home is of extreme importance.


Male Eastern Bluebird on sentry duty protecting his home nearby.



Same male



Guarding territory is a Bluebird trait during breeding season. NOTE: At the house opening, a "real" conservation lady placed some wet wipes into the hole to keep a sparrow out. We felt bad for the bluebird wanting to use this box, and eventually pulled the wipes out ourselves, when the sparrow was gone.



I found 2 separate sites specific of this behavior.



Female Bluebird on sentry duty.