BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG In case you missed them, these were the seven most-popular articles last month at my blog, Nature in Chicagoland, based on reader viewing statistics. Click on the links below to access the articles. 1. 10 Places to See Bison in the Midwest 2. Palmisano Park: A … Continue reading The 7 Most-Popular Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in March 2026
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG Today is the ninth anniversary of the founding of my blog, Nature in Chicagoland, and I’m so happy to have written more than 300 articles about woods, wetlands, prairies, lakes, and other natural areas in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. I’m pleased that my … Continue reading Celebrating the Ninth Anniversary of My Blog, Nature in Chicagoland
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG In case you missed them, these were the seven most-popular articles last month at my blog, Nature in Chicagoland, as selected by my readers. Click on the link below to access the articles. 1. Sixteen South Chicagoland Nature Wonders: Great Destinations on the South Side … Continue reading The 7 Most-Popular Stories at My Nature in Chicagoland Blog in February 2026
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG I love photography and took a gazillion photos last year. Okay, I don’t have a firm number but take my word for it that I took MANY photos—of nature, family, friends, concerts, bars, bands, cool architecture, art, historical spots, you name it. I’m sure most … Continue reading My Favorite 32 Photos That I Took Last Year
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG If you’re looking for great hiking, biking, birdwatching, and wide-open spaces, than Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve in Deer Park, Illinois, is the spot for you. I visited Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve on a sunny, late-September day with unseasonable temperatures in the high 80s. The … Continue reading 7 Things to Do at Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG They say that life is one big circle. But with the Chicagoland area being so vast, with a population of more than 9.2 million people, I sometimes doubt that. So who would’ve thought that I’d be hiking with my sixth-grade teacher (1980–81) nearly 45 years … Continue reading Visit Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm for Great Hiking and Birdwatching, Fun Activities for Kids, and to Discover the Area’s German Heritage
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND BLOG There’s nothing like a bird sighting to bring people together in nature. After parking at McClaughrey Springs Woods, I began walking toward a bridge that overlooks Mill Creek, which meanders through the preserve. Several men with tripods, cameras, and lenses that seemed longer than baseball bats … Continue reading McClaughrey Springs Woods: Beautiful Spring Flowers and Fall Colors and a Birding Hotspot
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” Today is the eighth anniversary of the founding of my blog, “Nature in Chicagoland,” and I’m so happy to have written nearly 300 articles about woods, wetlands, prairies, lakes, and other natural areas in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. I’m pleased that my articles on … Continue reading Celebrating the Eighth Anniversary of My Blog, Nature in Chicagoland
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND BLOG The Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG) in Glencoe, Illinois, is a popular destination in any season—but especially during the warmer months. If you love nature and hikes and strolls through flower-filled meadows, English and Japanese gardens, forests, and much more, you could easily spend an entire day … Continue reading Visit Chicago Botanic Garden for Breathtaking Gardens and Greenhouses, Model Trains and Other Seasonal Shows, and Fun in Any Season
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG On a beautiful, mostly sunny day in the mid-70s last September, I was lucky enough to visit three stunning nature areas in Chicagoland: Marengo Ridge Conservation Area (in McHenry County), Coral Woods Conservation Area (McHenry County), and Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve (Kane County). (These are … Continue reading Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve Offers Rolling Hills, Great Hiking, Birdwatching, and Much More