Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

We finally made it to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on our way back from Maine.  We've been talking about going for years, just never taken the time to stop when we get near.  This time we did stop at the headquarters to get our passport stamp, then went to Mt Baldy.

Immediately upon starting up the path we found a lizard.

Haden helped him pose for the camera.  He does have a way with creatures.  The little guy reminds me of a wiggling, growling dog.

I just thought the shadows on the uneven sand was cool.

Dennis hand to dip his toes in the cool water, hope a wave doesn't slap the camera.

A lighthouse in the distance.  If the day had been clearer we would have been able to see Chicago, but alas, it was not to be.

So cool and refreshing on a hot day!

Seagulls scavenge anywhere, even in the trashcans.

Following a Gull

Sometimes it's hard to get the full story with photos alone so I am adding in some words - since so many commentors are voicing their puzzlement. lol  We are following the Gill's path, he's walking down the beach.

He turns and looks back at us.

Then he passes a form of foreign sealife (which turned out to be a grapefruit skin).

He flies a little, and lands on a rock.

Next to a Raven/Crow - how the heck do you tell tham apart?

Off the Maine Coast

Have you ever seen a Puffin running across the water? Sure looks like he can walk on water to me.

Can’t remember what these birds are called, but I thought they were pretty cool.

Something startled up all the birds on the island and they all became airborne!  Like a scary movie!

Notice the boat beached? There are people on the island studying the Puffins and other birds. The little white shack you see is where they “hide” to study the birds closely.

And here’s another shack. The birds don’t seem to mind.

Many kinds of birds find the island a great place to breed.

I sure wish the Puffins would have come closer.

But this is as close I got to one.

Seals call another island home.

It’s easy to overlook them in the water when they sit there bobbing while being curious.

It looks like it would hurt to shimmy up on the rocks.

Birds of a feather

Check it out, I found some Common Eider. I had never seen these before!

The brown one is the female and the other one is male.

A feast?

Hope you're having a great 4th!

Days of Summer

Before it turned chilly we ran up to Door County for a little exploration.

There were several gulls around but I thought this Herring Gull was pretty funny standing on a rock.

Scratching his itch while Lake Michigan waves crashed into his rock.

And his friend enjoyed the waves nearby. While many gulls migrate south for the winter a good many of the Herring Gulls stay along the Great Lake coasts.

I am not sure if this juvenile gull is a Herring Gull or a Ring-billed Gull since both were present and both juveniles look similar. It takes four years for a Herring Gull to attain his adult plumage and only three years for the Ring-billed.

Uh-oh, be careful Mr Ring-billed, don’t fall off your rock. Notice his yellowish legs? Did you notice the Herring’s are pink? Knowing that, which one do you think that is in the background?

Were you right?

The Ring-billed Gull can be found all over the state in the summer but during winter he returns to the lakeshores.

Bye-bye Gull! *waving*

Hello, sexy! *smooches*

You’re getting a little close now, maybe I should start backing up.  Run!