While Mama watches with her eaglet in the nest cup, Papa negotiates some stiff southern breezes to deliver dinner for the family.

A Green Heron surveys the lake contemplating its next move . . .

Someone was none too happy about his photo session, squawking and carrying one, and some mean stares to boot. And then the lady of the reeds shows up with a snack in her bill, and that didn't help any. Finally, he settled down, repositioned himself and gave me his best side for a quick portrait.

Close encounter of the Killdeer kind. This sweet Killdeer mommy probably had a nest nearby and wanted to make sure to distract us away from the area, as only Killdeers know how to do (look at me, I'm hurt!). So we didn't linger long . . .

This female Yellow-headed Blackbird is one of several females (sometimes up to 8) attracted to a male's small territory among the reeds in the marsh. The scientific name for Yellow-headed Blackbird is Xanthocephalus, which means "yellow head" (All About Birds). Now say that three times real fast . . .

Today is World Turtle Day (who knew, right?!) so here are some Painted Turtles in flight, errrr I mean, doing what turtles do best, hanging out on a log . . .

A Sandhill Crane and its colts out foraging on a beautiful spring day. The odds that both colts survive their first year is about 50%, so hang in there little ones. If they do survive, sandhill cranes can live as long as 20 to 30 years in the wild.

It's that time of year when the Sandhill Cranes start foraging the spring fields with their newly hatched colts. It's a lovely sight indeed . . .

A Yellow-headed Blackbird takes off from last year's reed to find a better spot to call out for a mate. You're a beauty so you shouldn't have too difficult of a time. Good luck Yellowhead!

The Virginia Bluebells are out in full force here in northern Illinois. Love this time of the year . . .