We had a fantastic morning! Even though it was overcast we decided to hit up a couple of places we haven’t visited in awhile, and they did not disappoint.
Our first stop was Mount Saint Mary Park along the Fox River where we saw ducks, egrets, finches, blue jays, squirrels, and chipmunks, lots and lots of chipmunks.
We spent a lot of time under one oak tree in particular where the chipmunks were running around collecting food. It was the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
By this point the park was getting busy with tons of joggers, so we decided to grab breakfast at a little café up the river where we had the single greatest breakfast burrito either one of us has ever eaten. The weather was perfect so we enjoyed our breakfast on their patio.
Our next stop was Fermilab in Batavia. We recently got Real IDs from the Secretary of State since Fermilab will not let you on the property without one (or a passport, but ours expired).
The security guard warned us no buildings are open to the public which struck me as odd since the learning center usually is. We parked near it and walked through a wooded area and over to a pond where we came across a bees’ nest in the ground. I’ve read about them making nests in holes in the ground, giving a new name to b hole (hahaha), but never witnessed it myself. I tried to get photos to no avail and when I attempted to video them I guess they got angry and at least two of them swarmed around my head. They sound pretty menacing when they are buzzing right in your ear, so I got the heck out of there. Not before screaming like a little bitch, though! Lol
On the way back to the car an employee stopped us to ask if we were bird watching, then had us come into the learning center building (the same one the guard had incorrectly told us was closed to visitors), gave us a map, and showed us the best (ahem, only) places to bird that are open to the public on the property. She was so nice and helpful.
One spot is along a lake we had never visited before, and we saw a pair of sandhill cranes in a field across from it! I’ve only ever seen them in a wildlife rehab or far far far above our heads in huge flocks during migration, so that was cool.
As we walked further down the path by the lake we came across a guy bird-watching with a huge spotting scope, and he invited us over to look at some pintails (ducks) he had zoomed into in a pond. We discussed whether he’s been to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in the city and he said yes but felt the best birding is actually at Fermi, so we’ll be going back soon for sure.
Shortly after parting ways with that nice guy I saw a warbler which was exciting! A palm warbler, to be specific.
Birders have been seeing all sorts of warblers for weeks but it’s my first confirmed sighting.
By the time we got home we had been out for five hours and I had taken 450 photos.
