There may not be as many birds at DeKorte these days, now that the water levels in the Shorebird Pool are on the rise again, but for a late afternoon walk, DeKorte is still amazing — especially on a sunny autumn day.

   We walked around at 4:30 p.m. the other day, just as a Northern Harrier hunted above the tops of the Phragmites and yellowlegs and a few other lingering shorebirds worked the shallows.

   Yes, the one photo is in black-and-white. Just making sure you're paying attention.