Skokie Lagoons (image heavy)

[CaraRose]

It was too nice not to stop somewhere on the way home, so I stopped off at the Skokie Lagoons. Saw a lot of birds that were new to me. Let me know if I got the ID's right. I think I found the right ID's in allaboutbirds

Greater Scaups




This lucky one came up from a dive with a snack








Goldeneyes




Red Breasted Mergansers






And of course there were the waterfowl I'm more familiar with








If they're doing what I think they're doing, I had no idea they did it in the water. Doesn't look to pleasant for the the girl!








Heron flew over


A few gulls in flight. One of these days I'll figure out how to get good in flight shots.






Red Wing Blackbird! I never seem to be able to get close to one. Figures I found him right as the light was fading fast.











And some scenery. There were some really nice reflections.




Sun going down




This lagoon was still somewhat frozen

[Grandpaw]

I really like the first scenery shot a lot, I think it is around number 36 or 37 in the series, LOL Jeff

[Iguanamom]

Looks like my kind of place. The photos explore it pretty well. Looks like a popular spot for birds and photographers.

[mEasy27]

Nic e pics.. Love the 1st scenery shot..

[OldClicker]

My fav is the red-wing that is looking back over his shoulder. - TF

[Singletracklovr]

Wow, looks like you had a great day at the lagoon.
The pictures of the area really adds to the series.
Sometimes we are so focused on getting that tight shot we forget to zoom out every now and then.

Here's hoping other will share a little of there favorite spots zoomed out.

[SARtech]

Those Greater Scaups are comical looking birds.
Congrats on the RWBB. They are difficult to get close to!

[CaraRose]

Thanks everyone.

I hadn't been there since I was little and my dad would take us fishing there. Really is a pretty place. I think there's about a dozen lagoons maintained by a series of dams and dikes on the Skokie river. It's right off the highway on my way home from work, so I think I need to stop there more often