The birds are returning to Northern Illinois! I went out to Nelson Lake Marsh (Dick Young Forest Preserve) this morning and got the following shots: a male Redwing Blackbird and a flock of Sandhill Cranes. The Cranes circled the lake in their usual noisy fashion, then went off to parts unknown – I think they were looking for open water. It’s only March 8th and there’s plenty of bad weather a head, but things are looking up!
Red Wing Blackbird (male)
Sandhill Cranes from Nelson Lake Marsh
