Saturday, February 28, 2015

Trumpeter Swans and Bald Eagles in McLean County

Trumpeter Swans at Evergreen Lake in McLean County, IL 03

After work on Friday, February 28, I stopped by Evergreen Lake to see a pair of Trumpeter Swans that Jeanna Powell had reported seeing there. Not only were the swans by the water pump house. There were also several Redheads, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, and a Ring-necked Duck.

Trumpeter Swans at Evergreen Lake in McLean County, IL 02

I also checked the open water at Lake Bloomington by Davis Lodge. There was a second pair of Trumpeter Swans there as well as more Redheads, goldeneyes, and a Herring Gull.

A pair of Bald Eagles also flew in and landed on the ice.

Bald Eagles at Lake Bloomington in McLean County, IL 01

Bald Eagles at Lake Bloomington in McLean County, IL 02

Written and published on March 15, 2015

Saturday, February 21, 2015

My First Gull Frolic at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL

Great Black-backed Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 06

On Valentine's Day, 2015, I drove from the Quality Inn in Waukegan to North Point Marina in Winthrop Harbor, IL to the annual Gull Frolic of the Illinois Ornithological Society. I was greeted by Joan Norek, who gave me a program and signed me in as I walked inside, and then at another table further in, I found Greg Neise who was representing the ABA. Amar Ayyash was spending most of his time out on the front lines pointing out birds. I saw many familiar faces and met several birders for the first time.

Soon after I arrived, I made my way outside to where other birders were chumming and watching the gulls. It was a beautiful sunny day, but extremely cold and windy. So as I and faced the lake to watch the gulls, I breathed in the cold, freezing air and enjoyed incredibly up close looks at an amazing variety of gulls.

I had seen my first Thayer's Gulls earlier this Winter, but I was hoping to see a 1st Cycle Thayer's, and this was the first non Herring Gull I saw.

Thayer's Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 01

Thayer's Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 05

Here are some photos of other 1st cycle Thayer's Gulls we saw throughout the day.

Thayer's Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 08

Thayer's Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 11

Thayer's Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 09

Compare in this shot the 1st cycle Herring Gull on top and the 1st cycle Thayer's Gull below it.

Herring Gull (1st Cycle) and Thayer's Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL

We also had a 2nd Cycle Thayer's Gull. Notice the gray feathers on the mantle and coverts!

Thayer's Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 002

Thayer's Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 04

Thayer's Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 07b

Thayer's Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 07a

This look alike 1st Cycle Herring Gull almost had me fooled.

Herring Gul (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 02

This 2nd Cycle Herring Gull was easier to distinguish.

Herring Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL

Here are some of the adult Thayer's Gulls we saw.

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 03

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 01

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 07

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 09

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 12

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 14

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 15

This adult Thayer's with it's dark hood was a big hit!

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 06

Thayer's Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 04

There were four Iceland (Kumlien's) Gulls seen at the Gull Frolic--a 1st cycle, a 3rd cycle, and two adults. We saw the 1st cycle toward the end of the day, but I did not see the 3rd cycle, and I was only able to photograph the two adults. Here is the adult Kumlien's with the darker hood.

Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 001

And here is the lighter adult Kumlien's.

Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 02

Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 04

Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 11

Iceland (Kumlien's) Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 14

There was a 3rd cycle bird that was intermediate between Thayer's and Kumlien's.

Intermediate Thayer's/Kumlien's Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL

Glaucous Gulls were another treat at North Point Marina, and they put on quite the show. Here are some photos of the three 1st Cycles.

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 01

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 02

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 05

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 06

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 08

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 14

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 17

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 20

Glaucous Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 23

Here are some photos of the two 2nd Cycles we saw.

Glaucous Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 01

Glaucous Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 02

Glaucous Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 10

Glaucous Gull (2nd Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 13

And here are some photos of one of the adult Glaucous Gulls.

Glaucous Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 07

Glaucous Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 12

Glaucous Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 13

Glaucous Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 18

Glaucous Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 27

Glaucous Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 34

Glaucous Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 35

I saw one of the two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls. This bird did not show up until later in the day.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 01

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Adult) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 04

Perhaps the best bird of the day, however, was this gigantic 1st cycle Great Black-backed Gull not commonly seen in Lake County, shown below and at the top of this post.

Great Black-backed Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 02

Great Black-backed Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 03

Great Black-backed Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 04

Great Black-backed Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 10

Great Black-backed Gull (1st Cycle) at North Point Marina in Lake County, IL 07

The Gull Stew and the rest of the lunch at the frolic was delicious. Unfortunately, I paid the price for this wonderful experience. I guess I did not spend enough time inside drinking hot chocolate and warming up, and I should have had something over my mouth while I was outside. I found out Monday that I have pneumonia. I was able to catch it early so hopefully I will recover soon, but I will not soon forget my first year at the IOS Annual Gull Frolic!