Illinois Beach, Lake County

[Mark Wallner]

At Illinois Beach State Park south unit this morning a Sharp-shinned Hawk flew straight at me from across the river so close I thought it would land on me and I could clearly see the squared off tail.  Standing still with camouflage really worked or my bad hair had it thinking it was going to catch a rodent, not sure which.  Also saw a small flock of Wood Ducks fly by, a flock of Golden-crowned Kinglets stopped by for a while, a Downy Woodpecker, Rusty Blackbirds, Brown Creeper, Palm Warbler, and a few other small birds I didn't get a good look at to identify.  A young Pied-billed Grebe was on the river.

Another beautiful morning in beautiful Lake County Illinois.

Mark Wallner,  Pleasant Prairie, WI