BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG (FOUNDED IN 2017) AND BOOK
I am pleased that six of my photographs were included in the Beverly Area Arts Alliance‘s 2026 Beverly Art Walk. I grew up in Beverly/Morgan Park on Chicago’s South Side, lived there till I was 31, and still spend a good amount of time there visiting family and friends. My mom (who passed away in 2025) lived in Beverly for 60 years. Beverly and Morgan Park are some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Chicago, and I encourage you to check out next year’s Art Walk or spend an afternoon or evening there any time of the year. At the end of this article, I’ll provide some suggestions on nature spots and restaurants/brewpubs in the area.
Here are my artist statement, essays, and photographs that were featured in the exhibition. Most spotlight the beauty of nature, so I thought it would be nice to share them with my readers.
Artist Statetement
I’m a professional writer, but I’ve always loved photography. My photographs of musicians, artists, and the natural world have been published in several books, and I’m grateful that my work has been included in the 2026 Beverly Art Walk.
I was born on the South Side, grew up in Beverly/Morgan Park near 107th Street and Longwood Drive, and lived there till I was 31. My dad “discovered” Beverly after camping with his friends on the “prairies” of Western Avenue as a boy in the 1940s. He and my mom moved to Beverly/Morgan Park in the early 1960s, and I thank them for providing me with the chance to grow up in one of the most beautiful areas of the city.
Photographs allow us to celebrate nature (as most of my images in this exhibition do), record important events, capture moments in time, express ourselves, and, at their best, help document and fight the injustices and evils of the world. I view my photography as an extension of my work as a writer and amateur painter. I often marry words with photos in essays, stories, and other writing projects, and I take many photographs with the idea that they will inspire great paintings (at least until my brush hits the canvas) or vivid prose or poetry.
I’ve taken a gazillion photos in my lifetime. Okay, I don’t have a firm number but take my word for it that I’ve taken MANY photos—of the natural world, family and friends, concerts, bars, bands, churches, art, historical spots, city streetscapes, you name it. I’m sure most of you are the same. But I bet that most of these photos are never seen again—unless it’s a cherished moment with family or friends. I recommend revisiting your past photos, selecting your favorites, printing and framing them if they’re digital, and writing down some stories of why you love the image or the moment it celebrates. Because what’s the point of taking a bunch of photos if we don’t stop to appreciate the moments that they captured? Your loved ones will cherish these stories and photos when you’re gone.
I’ll keep taking photographs—and love every minute doing so— until my photos and I are just memories for my family and friends.●
“SUNSET, LAKE SUPERIOR, 9:03 PM, AUGUST 2013”
This photograph reminds me of Mark Rothko’s “Color Field” paintings. Maybe one in every hundred sunsets creates such a varied wash of color, and I was lucky to capture this moment with my family by my side.
In the summer, it doesn’t get dark in the UP until late in the evening. But, in this photo, day is finally giving way to night along the shore of one of our Midwestern inland seas in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s summer, but there’s a North Woods chill in the air. A fire has been built, but not yet lit, on the sand. The sun looks like a fat yellow circle as it gradually descends into the water.
The sun is a circle, then a half circle, and then just a sliver on the horizon. Then gone. Everyone stands and watches for the exact moment when the sun sets—hoping for the “green flash,” a rare optical phenomenon that occurs briefly at the exact moment of sunset or sunrise. No luck, but who needs a green flash when you have a Mark Rothko sunset. The sunset is so fiery that I half expect the water in the distance to start sizzling. But the laws of physics win the day. After the sun sets, the light ebbs and a sea of stars gradually fill the sky, along with a few planets and the moon. It gets very dark, the waves rolling gently to the shore in the distance. The Milky Way stuns everyone in its vastness. We watch Perseid meteors shoot across the sky like astral dragonflies. After loving the day, it’s time to light the fire and enjoy the night.●
“NOT MAMMATUS CLOUDS, CHICAGO, FEBRUARY 2025”
I identified these clouds as mammatus clouds in an earlier essay about this photo, but weather broadcasting legend Tom “Freaking” Skilling set me straight.
Wanting to get things right for the Art Walk, I messaged Tom via Facebook to ask him for help identifying the clouds. Being the wonderful person that he is, Tom got right back to me and said:
BEAUTIFUL SHOT, Andy! I’m more than happy to help in the identification. These are altocumulus floccus clouds. They are ‘mid-level’ clouds—clouds which occur between 6,500 and 18,000 feet above local terrain. They appear as small cellular pouches. The prefix ‘alto’ is added to mid-level clouds. Altocumulus floccus are said to occur in ‘tufts’—in other words they are seen close together or even in contact with others in their group. It’s not uncommon for there to be ‘virga’ (i.e., evaporating ice crystals or raindrops falling out these clouds’ bases). It’s a GREAT PHOTO, Andy!! Thanks for sharing this with me! And good luck with its posting at the art show!!
So, in 111 Tom Skilling words, I received more of an education than I’d received in many hour-long science classes that I’ve taken. I’m grateful to Tom for educating me about the clouds and taking the time to respond to me.●
“MAMMATUS CLOUDS, CHICAGO, AUGUST 2015”
I took this photo of beautiful mammatus clouds from my backyard. “If you spot mammatus on the undersides of nearby clouds, it’s often a pretty reliable indicator that a storm or other extreme weather event is on its way,” according to BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Perhaps I’ve just been lucky weather-wise, but I’ve never encountered bad weather after seeing these clouds. I love sitting in the backyard and gazing at their wild shapes and ethereal glow. I never tire of looking at the sky.●
“GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER, AUGUST 2009”
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became our nation’s first national park.
It’s my favorite national park, and I’m a four-time visitor—including once as a solo traveler. If you’ve visited, you don’t need me to tell you why it’s special. If you haven’t, this photo provides a glimpse of the majesty and beauty of the park, which is located in three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. A few other Yellowstone highlights: 10,000 hydrothermal features, including more than 300 geysers such as the well-known Old Faithful; Grand Prismatic Spring, a massive and colorful hot spring; grizzly bears and herds of bison and elk; the chance to see epic battles between wolves and their prey in the Lamar Valley; and solitude and adventure if you’re willing to venture off the beaten path.
The writer and conservationist Wallace Stegner once referred to our national parks as America’s “best idea,” and I agree. Since 1872, our nation has set aside tens of millions of acres of land that are unique—not because they make real estate developers, mining companies, and corporate shareholders wealthy, but because they provide a “life raft” to endangered wildlife or ecosystems or are just simply beautiful and a place of respite for those weary of the often chaotic and industrialized modern world. They are places that refresh our spirits and make our imaginations run wild.
Many people believe that America is special for various reasons. I believe that we are a special nation because some of us realized long ago the beauty and importance of our public lands and took steps to protect them. This is not the case in many countries around the world, where forests are clear cut, natural areas are mined, or beautiful places are simply overwhelmed by garbage. You can see this love and care for nature in our national parks and other National Park Service properties, in state parks, and at the local level, in Forest Preserves of Cook County, which protects 70,000 acres of natural areas that would mostly be roads, subdivisions, and shopping malls if visionaries had not acted.
Yet, the work of protection and stewardship is far from over. Our sacred national lands are currently under rapacious attack by short-sighted politicians and business interests. Our public lands are being sold off or licensed for mining, clear-cut logging, and other damaging actions. Environmental laws and regulations that protect our beautiful national, state, and local parks and that have improved our air, water, and soil quality are being reversed. I encourage you to not only love and appreciate our public lands but to educate yourself about these and other threats and fight to protect our beautiful forests, grasslands, lakes, prairies, deserts, and other natural areas. Because once these lands are gone, they are gone forever. Once our air, soil, and water are further polluted, it’s hard to restore them to healthier versions. This Yellowstone scene that I captured is beautiful, but the real thing is immensely better. Let’s work together—regardless of political party—to protect our environment, so that a photo such as this is not the only thing that we have left when it comes time to appreciating nature.●
“KINSALE HARBOR, IRELAND, MARCH 2025”
Last year, my wife, son, and I traveled to Ireland. The closest people we knew were 3,100 miles away back in the United States, and it was fun to be on our own adventure exploring this beautiful country.
I took this photo after my wife, son, and I closed Kitty Ó Sé’s, a bar in Kinsale, a charming harbor town in the south of Ireland. It was probably the best evening of our trip. Of course, “closing a bar” in Ireland usually means somewhere between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.—not 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. like in some Chicago bars. We were entertained by a wonderful band, played instruments (badly) along with them (at their insistence), hung out with members of the band after their performance, and met some great people at the pub.
It was misty and peaceful as we walked along the harbor back to our hotel. We talked and laughed as we walked, and then we glanced over and saw what you see now. It stopped us cold. The reverse reflections of the boats in the still water were stunning and, looking at the photo now, it looks as if the boats are floating in the air. Maybe that’s the lingering effects of the copious servings of Murphys and Guinness I had that night but, regardless, it was a special night with my family.●
“NORTHERN LIGHTS ABOVE ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK, OCTOBER 2024”
Marvelous and spectacular things happen in the sky each evening after the sun slips behind the horizon—some of which we see with the naked eye, while others occur just beyond our vision. In dark and lonely spaces, one can glimpse meteor showers, comets, lunar eclipses, the Milky Way, and all the wonderful constellations that we’ve created myths and stories about for millennia. Seeing these sights makes me feel both wonder and humility. Wonder, because they’re beautiful and convey the complexity of our universe. Humility, because they make me feel small and insignificant amidst the vastness of our natural world.
I’ve dreamt of seeing the Northern Lights for my entire life. On October 10, 2024, a severe solar storm forecast sent me to Illinois Beach State Park—one of my favorite hiking spots. It’s the last remaining large swath of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline in the state.
I arrived at 7:15 and parked in the nearly empty beach parking lot. Did everyone know something I didn’t know? Was it a bad viewing spot? Was I too early? Would my car get towed? My concerns were unfounded. I walked on the sand away from the parking lot and used my phone camera to view the sky, which, with the naked eye, was a mix of white and light pink.
I waited. And waited.
Then with my own eyes, I saw a willowy red pillar emerge in the sky around 9:00 p.m., and it grew brighter with each passing minute. It stretched from right over the water nearly to the sky directly above me. The crowd oohed and aahed. A little girl yelled, “Now we don’t have to go to Iceland! I’m seeing the northern lights with my own eyes.” I laughed to myself because it was a cute comment but also because I’d gone to Iceland six months earlier and failed to see them in this Aurora Borealis hotspot. I stood awestruck as this enchanting red ribbon (with green in the background) danced a little in the sky. The red ribbon lingered above me for perhaps 10 to 15 minutes, waxing and waning in brightness. Eventually, vast washes of shimmering red and green enveloped the sky—not just to the north, but also to the northwest and northeast. And even above me. And then the lights were done.
I walked to my car, my head filled with colorful and vivid memories. I drove in the dark through the park, watching for deer dashing across the pavement and occasionally taking quick glances at the sky. The roads grew wider and brighter, and I passed restaurants, churches, daycare centers, slot-machine “palaces,” silent factories, and Halloween yard displays, until I reached the bright, boring lights of the interstate and headed for home.●
Here are some photos of musicians and the work of other artists who participated in the Art Walk.
Enjoy an Afternoon or Evening in Beverly Hills/Morgan Park
Here are some great spots in Beverly/Morgan Park. Morgan Park is Beverly’s southern neighbor, but most people just lump the two neighborhoods together and call them Beverly, and I’ll do the same for the purposes of this article.) My family has lived in this hilly, historical, and tree-lined “village in the city,” as its nickname goes—since the 1960s, and I spent the first 30+ years of my life there. Beverly is famous for its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Beverly Art Walk, but there are many other things to do and see in one of Chicago’s oldest and scenic neighborhoods, including:
Visiting the Irish Castle (10244 S. Longwood Drive, 60643, https://chicagosonlycastle.org) and checking out other architectural gems in the neighborhood. The castle, which was completed in 1887, has been recognized by the Chicago Landmarks Commission as part of the Longwood Drive Historic District. It’s also part of the Ridge Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The castle is also known as the Givins Castle. After viewing the castle, take some time to appreciate the diverse architectural styles of the homes in the neighborhood. Beverly has a riotous array of architectural styles (Italianate, Queen Anne, Carpenter Gothic, Prairie School, and Renaissance Revival) and homes designed by famous architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Burley Griffin, George W. Maher, Daniel Burnham, and Howard Van Doren Shaw. You can check out some of these homes via local tours and the Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House Chicago program.
Having lunch or dinner and a cocktail (or mocktail). There are many great places in Beverly to relax at after your time at Dan Ryan Woods. One of my favorites is Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Company (10426 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, 60643, 773/779-2739), which offers tasty craft-beer and food. Art adorns the walls, you can enjoy live music on certain days, and there’s a wonderful vibe at this popular destination. Open Outcry Brewing Company (10934 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, 60643, 773/629-6055) is another must-visit spot for excellent beer, mouth-watering food, and a fantastic rooftop deck. Other top-notch establishments include Cork & Kerry (10614 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, 60643, 773/445-2675), Barney Callaghan’s Pub (10618 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, 60643, 773/233-6829), Calabria Imports (a combo deli and casual restaurant that’s located at 1905 W. 103rd Street, 60643, 773/396-5800), Beverly Bakery & Cafe (10528 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, 60643, 773/238-5580), Nicky’s of Beverly (10500 S. Western Avenue, 60643, 773/233-3072; sandwiches, beer, and several nice vegan options), Rosangela’s Pizza (2807 West 95th Street, Evergreen Park, 708/422-2041), and Wild Blossom Meadery and Winery (9030 S. Hermitage, Chicago, 60620, 773/840-4642; the meadery/winery is located near one of the 91st Street entrance to Dan Ryan Woods).
Checking out some of my other favorite neighborhood destinations including:
The Original Rainbow Cone: 9233 S Western Avenue, 60643, 773/238-9833
Ridge Historical Society: 10621 S. Seeley Avenue, 60643, 773/881-1675
Bookie’s New and Used Books: 10324 S. Western Avenue, 60643, 773/239-1110
Beverly Arts Center: 2407 W. 111th Street, 60655, 773/445-3838
Heritage Gallery: 1907 W. 103rd Street, 60643, 773/233-0084
Ohana Ice Cream: 1800 West 103rd Street, 60643, 773/253-8533
Two Mile Coffee Bar: 9907 S. Walden Parkway, Chicago, 60643, 773/629-6001
Popular places that I’ve not visited include Ain’t She Sweet Café (9920 S. Western, Chicago, 60643, 773/840-3309), O’Kelly’s Bakery (9135 S. Western Avenue, 60643, 773/941-6342, and Cakewalk Chicago (info@cakewalkchicago.com). Try them out and let me know what you think.
Nearby Nature Spots
10 Thoughts About Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve and Fall in Chicagoland’s Forest Preserves
Visit Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery Not Only for Spooks and Scares, But Also For Its Rich Local History
Indian Ridge Marsh Park: A Bird Haven and a Story of Environmental Rebirth
Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve: A Birdwatching Hotspot
30+ Great Destinations on Chicago’s South Side and in the Southland to Explore
Copyright (text/photos): © Andrew Morkes, except quoted material
Looking for some other great nature destinations in Chicagoland? If so, check out my book, Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit. It features amazing destinations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Click on the title to learn more. The book has 306 pages and 210+ photos and is only $19.99.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT ANDREW MORKES
I’ve been a writer and editor for more than 30 years. I’m the founder of College & Career Press (2002); the author and publisher of The Morkes Report: College and Career Planning Trends blog; and the author and publisher of Hot Health Care Careers: 30 Occupations With Fast Growth and Many New Job Openings; Nontraditional Careers for Women and Men: More Than 30 Great Jobs for Women and Men With Apprenticeships Through PhDs; They Teach That in College!?: A Resource Guide to More Than 100 Interesting College Majors, which was selected as one of the best books of the year by the library journal Voice of Youth Advocates; and other titles. They Teach That in College!? provides more information on environmental- and sustainability-related majors such as Ecotourism, Range Management, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Built Environment, Sustainability Studies, and Sustainable Agriculture/Organic Farming. I also served as a member of the parent advisory board at my son’s school for five years.
In addition to these publications, I’ve written more than 80 books about careers for other publishing and media companies including Infobase (such as the venerable Encyclopedia of Careers & Vocational Guidance, College Readiness: The Vault Guide for High School Juniors and Seniors, the Vault Career Guide to Consulting, and many volumes in the Careers in Focus, Discovering Careers, What Can I Do Now?!, and Career Skills Library series), Lerner Publishing, and Mason Crest (including those in the Careers in the Building Trades, Hands-On Careers, Social Media Today, Woman in STEM Careers, Getting Started, and Cool Careers in Science series). Many titles that I have written and edited have received positive reviews in Booklist; Voice of Youth Advocates; Library Bookwatch; CHOICE, a publication of the Association of College and Research Libraries (a division of the American Library Association); and other publications.
Here’s a list of the environmental- and clean energy-focused titles that I’ve written or co-written:
- Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit
- Wind Turbine Technicians (Great Careers Without a Bachelor’s Degree series)
- Environmental Scientists (Cool Careers in Science series)
- Renewable Energy Careers (Cool Careers in Science series)
- Environment (Getting Started series)
- Solar Power Technicians (Careers in Infrastructure series)
- Women in Environmental Sciences (Women in STEM Careers)
Articles about my work have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Practical Homeschooling, and other publications. My photographs of musicians, artists, and the natural world have been published in several books. My poetry has been published in Cadence, Wisconsin Review, Poetry Motel, Strong Coffee, and Mid-America Review. As an amateur artist, I’m pleased to say that four of my paintings were included in the 2025 Beverly Art Walk. Additionally, six of my photographs were featured in the 2026 Beverly Art Walk.