Chris' Camera Bag

A Photo Web log by Chris Young

In the air and on the water

It’s always a good idea to keep an open mind when out shooting pictures. Beware the tunnel vision of going after a particular subject. It is very common to miss a lot of great opportunities due to being so focused on the idea that was hatched before leaving the house. Photographers take a lot of good pictures - not in hopes of getting one to turn out - but in hopes of getting lots of great pictures. These were taken on a story about duck foods and migration stopovers. All photos were taken at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve. Fast-approaching as my favorite spot to photograph birds and wildlife in Illinois.

This American white pelican has a wing tag. Scientists from the Illinois Natural History Survey turned in the number (825) to the National Bird Banding Laboratory.

Black-necked stilits—once rare—now regularly are seen nesting at Chautauqua and Emiquon.

Forster’s terns were seen fishing at Thompson Lake, part of The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve.

The rural character of Illinois is hinted at in the background of this photo.

This young Forester’s tern still is in its first winter plumage.