Highwood, IL–Openlands has gone sign crazy at the Lakeshore Preserve. Reminds me of the 70s song: “Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. Blocking out the scenery, breakin’ my mind. Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?” There are three “don’t do this” signs posted after the welcome sign–four signs in the first few…
Highwood/Highland Park, IL–Beautiful days bring out families, dogs, and outdoors lovers to Lake Michigan beaches. Poke in the sand, check out the crawfish that have been washed up, let your dog get a sip of the cold water. Find your own stretch of beach, your own way to relax.
Highland Park/Highwood, IL–This week’s birdapalooza continues, with red-headed woodpeckers hammering at trees, and hawks swooping and cartwheeling through the air. Makes me want to sing “Free Bird“. The only glitch is that it’s also time for controlled burns in Openlands Lakeshore Preserve and in the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. Is it really my allergies kicking…
Highwood/Highland Park, IL–Bring your binoculars! The birds are back at Ft. Sheridan Forest Preseve in Lake County, IL. Now is the time to see many species. The warm weather brings out red-winged blackbirds, sparrows, robins, crows, of course. But bare trees mean you can also easily see the red-headed woodpeckers and broad-winged hawks. Listen to the sweet…
Highwood, IL– Snowshoeing along Openlands Lakefront Preserve sounds challenging, but the plowed road makes it almost too easy. It’s like walking in an Ansel Adams photo–everything all black and white, and there is the challenge. I’m no Ansel Adams. The beach is no longer a gradual sandy slope, but an icy shelf.