June 27: Picture of the Day

On the way to a mini-vacation in northern Illinois, we passed this pair of sandhill cranes in a wetland restoration project along Illinois Route 84 between Cordova and Albany.

The sign said the project had been done by Waterfowl USA’s Mississippi Flyway chapter.

From a distance, it looks like this Mississippi River backwater slough was well-engineered. Moist-soil plants were abundant and the presence of two sandhills is a good sign.

I enjoy seeing these big birds, so we had to stop for a picture (a long way off, obviously) even though the kids were eager to get north and see their cousins.

Incidentally, I didn’t post this picture until June 30. But I assure you, it was taken on June 27. I just needed a break from the computer for a few days.