Dam Good Kayaking on Skokie Lagoons

Glencoe, IL–What a treat! Record rainfall covered the Skokie Lagoons dams, making it easy to access all ponds without portaging.  I paddled from the Tower Road boat launch down to the Willow Road dam first.  Cormorants fished in their usual spot at the far south pond.  A great blue heron eyed me from his perch [...]

Snowbirds Return To Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island, FL–The shy Great Blue Herons and skittish Cormorants of the Skokie Lagoons rest comfortably in their winter home on Sanibel Island.  The Cormorant, in fact, is quite the opportunist here, using the shadows of my kayak to sneak up on fish as he dives under and around the boat, following me and fellow paddlers. In this great gathering place for birds [...]

Final Kayaking of the Season

Glencoe, IL–The great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, and cormorants flew south some time ago.  Their favorite trees, denuded of leaves, no longer buffer the traffic noise from I-94.  Bikers whiz past on the nearby trail.  Ah, what a difference a season makes in the Skokie Lagoons!  Kayakers were out for exercise, not bird-watching.  Sailors [...]

Cormorant…or John Oliver?

John Oliver c The Daily Show

Cormorants on Morro Bay C Mike Baird

Winnetka, IL–Another gorgeous day at the Skokie Lagoons, with very few paddlers or even fishermen.   The kayak slices through water so still it doesn’t seem solid.  Then a painted turtle pokes his head up to see what’s disturbing the peace and hurredly [...]

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