Tag: Andrew Morkes

Wapello Land & Water Reserve Offers a Glimpse of 1,000-Year-Old Native American History and Great Hiking Amidst a Beautiful Prairie Restoration

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, birdwatching, Driftless Region, fall colors, hiking, Illinois, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Native American History, prairies, spring wildflowers

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG Approximately 1,000 years ago, small groups from the Mississippian Native American culture headed north from their home in Cahokia, which was located across the Mississippi River from the current city of St. Louis, Missouri. At its zenith, Cahokia had a population of more … Continue reading Wapello Land & Water Reserve Offers a Glimpse of 1,000-Year-Old Native American History and Great Hiking Amidst a Beautiful Prairie Restoration

Heron Creek Forest Preserve Offers Great Hiking, Biking, Picnicking, Birdwatching, and a Cool Kids Playground

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, biking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, fall colors, hiking, Illinois, kids activities, Lake County Forest Preserves, Lake County Illinois attractions, snowshoeing, spring wildflowers, volunteering, winter activities

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG Last week, my friend Dave and I visited 242-acre Heron Creek Forest Preserve (22890 N. Old McHenry Road, Lake Zurich, IL 60047) in Lake County to hike and do a little birdwatching after hiking earlier in the day at the splendid Reed-Turner Woodland down … Continue reading Heron Creek Forest Preserve Offers Great Hiking, Biking, Picnicking, Birdwatching, and a Cool Kids Playground

6 Things to Do at Horner Park Natural Area on Chicago’s North Side

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, birdwatching, Chicago, chicago park district, Chicago Parks, Chicago River, fall colors, fishing, hiking, Illinois, kids activities, Native American History, nature art, prairies, spring wildflowers, volunteering, winter activities

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG Horner Park is like many Chicago city parks—and then it isn’t, and that’s good news for nature lovers. According to the Chicago Park District, it has nine softball fields, a football/soccer field, three senior baseball diamonds with night baseball on two diamonds, four outdoor … Continue reading 6 Things to Do at Horner Park Natural Area on Chicago’s North Side

Visit Sardeson Forest Preserve in the Driftless Region for Great Views, Challenging Hiking, and Good Birding

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, birdwatching, Driftless Area Land Conservancy, fall colors, hiking, kids activities, snowshoeing, spring wildflowers, winter activities, Wisconsin

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG In late March, I completed six short hikes in five days (totaling about 15 miles) in the Driftless Region in northwestern Illinois and southwestern Wisconsin. My son came for a few hikes, my wife joined us for one trail adventure, and I was solo … Continue reading Visit Sardeson Forest Preserve in the Driftless Region for Great Views, Challenging Hiking, and Good Birding

Visit LaBagh Woods to Enjoy One of Chicago’s Best Birdwatching Spots   

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, @FPDCC, biking, birdwatching, Chicago, Chicago River, conservation, cross-country skiing, fall colors, Forest Preserve of Cook County, hiking, Illinois, kids activities, local history, snowshoeing, spring wildflowers, volunteering, winter activities

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG Here are some crazy numbers about LaBagh Woods. Birders have recorded more than 220 bird species (according to eBird) in only 80 acres of natural areas and 80 acres of picnic groves at this beloved nature spot (Entrance: N. Cicero Avenue, north of W. … Continue reading Visit LaBagh Woods to Enjoy One of Chicago’s Best Birdwatching Spots   

Visit Skokie River Nature Preserve for Great Birding, Hiking, and Wildflower Views

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, birdwatching, fall colors, hiking, Illinois, Illinois Department of Natural resources, Illinois Nature preserves, Lake County Illinois attractions, orchids, prairies, Skokie River, snowshoeing, spring wildflowers, winter activities

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG White trillium blooms were everywhere in Shaw Woods at Skokie River Nature Preserve in Lake Forest, Illinois. I felt like I could stay there all-day soaking in the blooms and the silence of the woods. I also saw prairie trilliums, bristly buttercups, Virginia bluebells, … Continue reading Visit Skokie River Nature Preserve for Great Birding, Hiking, and Wildflower Views

Remembering Pete Kastanes, the Founder and Host of Vanished Chicagoland Stories

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, Chicago, Chicago stories, Illinois

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG I’m taking a quick break from covering nature in Chicagoland to celebrate the life of Pete Kastanes, a beloved Chicago podcaster who passed away this weekend. More articles about nature in the Chicago area coming soon, including coverage of LaBagh Woods and Sardeson Forest … Continue reading Remembering Pete Kastanes, the Founder and Host of Vanished Chicagoland Stories

Remembering Peanut

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, family and friends stories, pets

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG I’m taking a quick break from nature in Chicagoland to celebrate the life of Peanut, one of our family guinea pigs, who passed away this week. More articles about nature in Chicagoland coming soon. Our guinea pig, Peanut, died yesterday evening after a short … Continue reading Remembering Peanut

Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve: Enjoy Peaceful Trails, Beautiful Views of the Fox River, and Excellent Birding

by anders458, posted in Uncategorized, birdwatching, fall colors, FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF KANE COUNTY, Fox River, hiking, Illinois, local history, spring wildflowers, winter activities

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG  Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve (35W076 Villa Maria Road, St. Charles, IL 60174) is a small, but charming, 65-acre preserve with forest hills, deep ravines, and access to the Fox River. The Sisters of Mercy— an international community of Roman Catholic women religious—owned the property … Continue reading Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve: Enjoy Peaceful Trails, Beautiful Views of the Fox River, and Excellent Birding

5 Things to Do at Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve

by anders458, posted in birdwatching, conservation, Driftless Region, fall colors, Galena Illinois, hiking, Illinois, Illinois Department of Natural resources, Illinois Nature preserves, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, Native American History, prairies, settlers and Indians, spring wildflowers, winter activities

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve is an amazing spot that features rolling hills, Native American mounds (including the only thunderbird effigy mound in Illinois), great birdwatching, and stunning views of the Mississippi River and its backwaters (known as the Harris Slough). It’s located … Continue reading 5 Things to Do at Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve