The rain we've gotten recently seems to have helped a little with dryness in the lawn, although Rend Lake is still lower along the shoreline. The storm drainage ditch that runs along the park has been wet with a little standing water most of the week. Most of the autumn leaves have now fallen. The American White pelicans were still seen in large numbers on Rend Lake this week, along with the gulls, egrets, and hawks in the area. A large flock consisting of hundreds of grackles is in the area this morning.