Peoria

A spring violet in Peoria

The next part of my trip was a couple of days visiting my sister in Peoria where I took very few photos (including none of the two of us together! Drat!).

Whenever I travel to places that I trying to get to know, I prefer to avoid the Interstate and take less-traveled roads. I drove to Peoria from the west, which doesn't really follow the Intersate most of the way, but, as has happened a few times in the past, Google Maps had some kind of meltdown, routing me on progressively smaller and more remote farm roads. When I reached a point where it told me to turn onto two ruts blocked by a cattle gate, I though I might be in trouble. I found my way to Linda's and now I can't even find where I was (I think I drove through Ipava.) I didn't take any photos, but I can tell you that I saw many, many farms. Many!

Like this; Photo: FarmWeekNow

It took a while, but I made it to Peoria.

Linda lives in a very pretty neighborhood on the very American-named street of Crabapple Court. Her beautiful backyard was teaming with spring birds … 

… including a number of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks ...

... and a flock of White-crowned Sparrows

Plus, one evening a cute Eastern Gray Tree Frog took up residence on her porch

While in Peoria, I was fortunate to attend a lecture on contemporary textile arts by Tara Ritacco, the curatorial/exhibition chair of the Visions Museum of Textile Art in San Diego, California. 

A couple of slides from speaker Tara Ritacco

It was fascinating with images of incredible fashions. The presentation was at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, which we toured after the lecture. The museum was on theme with my trip with a fabulous display of duck decoys.

 

Left photo: Environmental Lights; Right photo: Peoria Journal Star

Linda is the president of the Fine Arts Society of Peoria, which sponsored the lecture. I am always culturally improved when I visit Linda.

Very good turnout for the lecture

We spent the rest of my time there enjoying the lovely weather.

Spring in Illinois

So pretty!

We visited Tawny Oaks/Singing Woods, where we had gone a few years ago on a cold fall day. Spring was much different.

Purple Martins and an Eastern Bluebird

Then, we went to the Wildlife Prairie Park, which has a small zoo featuring prairie birds and animals (I got to see Bison there!). 

Eastern Wood-Peewee (wild, not captive) and some of the Bison herd

Wildlife Prairie Park also has historical displays about prairie life.

Another schoolhouse!

Inside the schoolhouse

A highlight was listening to a caterwauling Mountain Lion. I couldn't get my camera on her while she screamed because she was right at the edge of her enclosure under a bridge. I think she was annoyed at the Black Bear in another enclosure across the creek or she was mad at her sisters who were playing with each other elsewhere in their shared enclosure. Regardless, it was fun to listen to.

All in all, a pleasant visit, but with few photos.

I am good at grabbing nature shots, just not people

On May 9, I left Peoria early for the six-hour drive to the BWIAB to begin my adventure.

We’ll go there in my next post.

Male Cape May Warbler

Trip dates: May 3-21, 2025