Emily Oaks Critters

Summer is a bit late in starting, but I was able to get my critter cam out last week. (Yeah it’s the same camera for everything else, just different models in front of it during summer).

Here are some favorite snapshots from Emily Oaks Nature Preserve, a minuscule preserve in Skokie that lets me get away when I don’t have time to drive off into the sunset.

I love that the deer are so tame here. They look to see what you’re doing and then just keep on chewing 4 feet away from the path. But if you linger too long they do walk away.

Unfortunately a red dragonfly (possibly a darter) and a brown one with a yellow stripe wouldn’t sit still very long, but the 12-spotted skimmer accommodated me.

Blue Dashers were plentiful.

A Common Whitetail under another Skimmer

Getting frisky.

I don’t know what this butterfly is.

Respect the Geese and they respect you.

Hairstreaks are adorable, and I love its zebra antennae.

I met some fun critters in Lemont at Waterfall Glen as well, but that’s a story for another day.