Limpkin With A Snail
Apparently, there are more than a few Limpkins in IL this year. I’d seen the arrival at Chicago Botanic Garden at a distance a couple months ago(no real photo ops). I thought I’d missed the Lake Forest individual. No, still there.
After doing some reading about this amazing bird, it’s concerning that they are here. They’re considered non-migratory and appear to be following their food source(s) North. (One of which is an invasive snail. I’m not sure what species of snail this bird is foraging).
The unknown is whether they will leave once/if some real winter weather sets in and the shallow ponds and marshes freeze. The Lake Forest bird was still snagging snails when I saw it.
This individual seems unaffected by human contact and just goes about its business. It was about 10-15 feet away from me.
Thanks, Glenn K. for showing me the way in.