Owls and eagles in Illinois

After enduring a South Florida winter which felt more like summer, it was refreshing to experience cool (even cold) nights and clear skies. Now we slept with the windows open, which was possible only a few times this entire winter in Florida. Each morning we were out early on nearby wilderness preserves and parks. 

This is a view of a slough along the Fox River at Les Arends Kane County Forest Preserve:



Moments later the still water was disturbed by a busy Muskrat...



...and a pair of Hooded Mergansers:



Eastern Bluebirds were a sure sign of spring:



American Robins foraged on the lawns:



This Red-winged Blackbird displayed its epaulets as it burst into song:



A female Mallard rested in the flood plain, casting a fine reflection:



Bluebells flourished in the shade:



Violets, both blue and white, further evidenced the advance of the seasons:





At Fabyan Forest Preserve, a Great Horned Owl again nested in an old snag:



The adult groomed its single owlet:



A pair of Bald Eagles started nesting near our second home in Illinois just after we moved there in 2007. After about three years their nest fell down and for the last three or four years they have been breeding successfully in a native pine tree which is right in the middle of a residential school parking lot. The cars park right up to the tree trunk, and crowds often watch from very close by:

 

Unfortunately, the tree started declining and by last fall it was nearly dead. Now it is completely lifeless: 



There are at least two eaglets which look to be about 3 weeks old. Dead pines have soft wood which rots rapidly, and this tree will quickly become a hazard to those who park or walk near it. The tree probably starved because its roots were nearly entirely covered by the asphalt pavement. I do not think anything was done to speed its demise. I wonder what will happen if the eagles  continue to use the tree-- at some point it may need to be taken down: 







Interestingly, this was the first nest in Kane County since before  DDT was banned, and the Pembroke Pines (Florida) nest near our permanent home was also the first in Broward County! 


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Linking to Misty's  CAMERA CRITTERS,

Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,

Linking to GOOD FENCES by Tex (Theresa). 

Linking to SKYWATCH FRIDAY by Yogi, Sylvia and Sandy

Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James

Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart

Linking to Today's Flowers Friday by Denise

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