Grebes & More

What a beautiful day! It was a welcome change to be able to get out and enjoy the weather for a change.
We headed to Old Reid this morning, where we photographed 3 Pied-Billed Grebes….

Then on to the Buck Creek Marina, where we saw numerous Horned Grebes, including the fellow in good plumage….

Here’s a few other favorite shots from today….

Vultures & More

Here’s a couple of shots from our weekend jaunts.
In Champaign County we came across this Turkey Vulture feasting on a raccoon carcass. David was able to isolate the scavenging bird. Nature isn’t always pretty…..

More of his friends were joining the feast….I love the way David was able to get this shot showing the full wing extension!

In Old Reid Park, the Belted Kingfisher was enjoying the sun on Friday….

This fellow was at Buck Creek State Park….

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Great Horned Owls

Lynda Pauley, of Prairie’s Edge, contacted us to let us know that she had seen a Great Horned Owl in the previous year’s Red Tailed Hawk nest. We took some time on Friday afternoon to head out to Lynda’s to take a look, and were able to get good looks at the nest and the owl. We were careful to stay far enough away not to disturb her. We’ll plan on checking the nest again in the next couple of weeks….hopefully with better lighting so we can get some good images to show the progress.

Breaking Ice

Song Sparrow

Even though it’s still winter, it began to feel a bit more like spring is on the way after I was greeted by this Song Sparrow at Buck Creek. Can’t be long now!