Life has been full here recently in Southern Illinois. That's a good thing I guess. These past few days have been especially busy, as midterms only come once a quarter! These past few days have been pretty heavy academically, but I've been able to lighten the load by getting outside when the weather has cleared up.
I have been working on my Senior Capstone research with the Peregrine Falcon, and spent many hours Friday hanging out "literally" on the bluffs, trying to confirm nesting success. Unfortunately, repelling over the top of the 100 foot+ high cliff isn't doable with how degraded the limestone is, so I've had to get creative. I was able to gather some good data and witness the male exchanging food with the female, which confirms nesting behavior! Exciting...
Saturday I spent birding in St. Louis with a professor friend, we hit Tower Grove Park at just the right time, as many of the neotropical migrants were moving through... We saw just over 50 birds for the day, and I was rewarded with a bird I've never seen before: a Blue-headed Vireo, land right above me!
Needless to say, my Mountain Khakis have been treating me well. I have been enjoying the OMP's as the weather has stayed cooler this past week, and they have provided the protection from the brush as I've been bushwacking in the mornings, and then look sharp for class. My Snake River shorts are back in the game after being in the laundry for a few days after my latest exploits through poison ivy. All clean now, for the beautiful weather next week!
Enjoy some recent photos from the past few days! This next week will be a good one!
Cheers.
A Great Blue Heron
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