Mallard Lake Birding

Just four days prior to the Helicopter flight we have been posting, I had joined a small group of birdwatchers for a nice walk through Mallard Lake in search of birds.  Either in flight or perched on branches, birds are a beautiful and challenging project.  Here a robin poses in profile and an egret soars in full flight.

Two Postcards

Two postcard views as the copter returned to base.  We skirted Mallard Lake again, with the smoke from the Controlled Burn diminished quite a lot.  And then we approached the runway -- two niner, I believe -- and I noticed the obvious movie title.  Planes use the runway, of course; above that to the south is the local Metra commuter railroad track.  Below the runway, to the north, is Irving Park Road.

Precision Burn

If a person were to be near the forest preserve during the controlled burn, it would not be easy to see just how precise and controlled it is. At first glance the upper picture shows a raging fire, and from ground level that would appear to be true. From above, it is a narrow strip and clearly under control. Furthermore, the lower picture shows a green grassy area that was not to be burned. Notice how neat the edge of the burn is, almost manicured. Again, precise and controlled.

The bird walk I joined just a week ago went across both bridges seen above, which put us onto a narrow S-shaped island. It did not look anywhere near that narrow when on the island and surrounded by the taller growth that is no longer there. I will try to get over there next week to see the progress of the new growth which I am sure will be visible soon.

Controlled Burn

Just west of my home is Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, a place I often visit to walk. A week ago I saw signs of a controlled burn there and then on Saturday I joined a bird walk and we walked my the burned area. I had no idea that much of the path of our walk was on the schedule for burning this week, but soon after the helicopter left Schaumburg Regional Airport, I saw the burn in action.

Two Roads

Two roads diverged in a wood . . . No, that is a line from a poem. Two images of roads, pathways at Mallard Lake to be specific, and one just begged to have the black-and-white effect put onto it.

More winterscapes

With the Chicago weatherman tossing out scary stories of 6" or more of snow on Tuesday or Wednesday or whenever it gets around to it, a post of some snowy pictures seems to be in order. The snow-laden branches are in my yard; that is a burning bush. The snow-filled creek leads into Mallard Lake, a local forest preserve where dogs were allowed to run off-leash and lots of fishermen seem to have good luck.

Next post should have perhaps one more pair of winterscapes, coming soon.