All dressed up with no where to go…

Although you should understand that dressing up for me means wearing a top other than a tee shirt, and clean shorts.    Tentative plans for today were for me to accompany my daughter on a road trip for one of her Life Vest fittings.  We were to drive to Pontiac, IL, and back.  I figured maybe we could stop at a state park or something else interesting on our return trip.  Robyn received a call for a second fitting about an hour away from Pontiac, so that meant it would end up being a really boring ride for me with at least an hour and a half spent sitting in the car while she took care of business, and no chance to take any side trips.  So, I decided not to go.  I had even packed a lunch last night since Robyn is on a very specific diet that rules out stopping out to eat.  Bummer.

Instead, I packed up my lunch and my camera, and Emma and I headed out to visit the last state Fish and Wildlife Area within 50 miles. 

After checking in at headquarters, we drove to the Sandhill Crane observation tower.  Of course, the chances of seeing cranes was nil, but we took the trail anyway.  Obviously, staff doesn’t check on this handicapped accessible trail except in the spring and fall when the cranes are around.  There were three downed trees crossing the short trail.  Not being in a wheelchair, we made our way through the obstacles.

The view from the observation area was of a huge field area that the cranes use during migration to glean food and build up their fat supplies.  Two things I neglected to bring with me this trip were bug spray and my watch.  Needless to say, the mosquitoes about ate me alive!  I also gave the deer flies a good run for their money.  I’ve also always worn a watch, so that was a new experience for me.

This F & W Area is more than 8000 acres, and affords people with a gun range, archery range, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

There used to be a campground and a picnic area, but they have been closed down.  Lack of funds??  So, I headed back to the headquarters area for a rest room, and to eat my lunch in the car.  I was entertained by numerous red-headed woodpeckers in the area.

After lunch, we drove more of the roads, and on our way to the flooded gravel pits, found this fellow/gal in the middle of the road.  I got out and helped him/her get to the other side so he/she wouldn’t get squished.   Lots of female turtles meet their demise at this time of the year as they try to cross roads to get to prime areas for digging a nest and laying their eggs.  I forgot to look at the bottom side of the caraprice (sp) to see if this was a male or female.

Lots of wetlands to enjoy here.  It was a good change of plans today, and both Emma and I enjoyed ourselves.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy