Six Glossy/White-faced Ibises at Emiquon in November!

Observed by: Jane Ward
Date: November 24, 2013
Location: Emiquon Wetland Observatory, North of Canoe Launch
Weather: Cold, 32 degrees, sun shine and blue sky

Ibises are rarely seen in Illinois, especially in November. I found a couple last month, was surprised, and assumed they had moved on.  Today, a day starting out quite cold for November (12 degrees, Yikes!) warmed up to 32 by 3:00 in the afternoon, when I took a tour through the visitor complex at TNC's Emiquon Nature Preserve.  As I drove through the turn around, just past the canoe launch, I stopped to watch a small flock of birds flying in. At first I thought they were herons, but they were all turned around and backwards; then I thought of the Black-necked Stilts that nest in the summer, but the bill was too curved, so I realized they were Ibises.  By the time I got my camera out and exited the car, they had landed and began to blend in with the background. Photos are attached. 

Jane Ward
www.walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com

November 3, 2013 Observation

 

By: Liz Cheek

 

Date: November 3, 2013, Sunday

Time:   8:10 am

Location: Visitor Area

Temperature:  37 degrees

Weather: Sunny

 

What an interesting morning. I'm not sure that I've ever been out here this early. Thank you central time zone change. Yesterday was warm and the temperature drop created a totally enveloping layer of fog. To my back, from the north, is a staggeringly bright, clear sun, but ahead off me, to the south looks like something out of Sleepy Hollow or Brigadoon. Thompson Lake and all the area surrounding it are completely covered. The most surprising thing is, as the layer of fog dissapates, I spy a previously hidden boat of fishermen first, then realize there are many folks out here, taking walks and checking things out.