Rural Neighbors Visit Downtown Elgin

Today's Daily Herald had a photo of a coyote roaming Douglas Ave just north of downtown. This is not the first sighting of our animal friends in the urban landscape of downtown. In the past, I have seen a pheasant strolling across Highland Ave., ducks making nests in the sidewalk planters or on roof top patios. Of course there are the ever present geese, not so unusual. Once, while at Burger King on Dundee, I observed two deer making their rounds with the Elgin police in hot pursuit. I had to go back to the office and email my find. The replies varied from, "Were they pink?" to my wife's question, "Where did you go for lunch?".

Ducklings Rescued by Local Shop Owner

Jonathan Winkle, owner of the Bleu Delph Flower Shop on North Grove, contacted animal control Tuesday after hearing quacking coming from a planter. Elgin Animal Control Officer, James Rog escorted the mother duck and three ducklings across East Chicago Street to the Fox River. A photo and caption were in Tuesday's Wednesday's Courier News. These urban ducks enjoy downtown as much as us humans. Fred and Judy Steffen have had a duck nesting on their rooftop deck for a couple of years.

Egret spotted at dam today

I spotted an egret standing at the base of the Kimball St. Dam around 2:40 today.