BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG Last week, I spent lots of time roaming McHenry County, Illinois. I saw farms . . . and more farms. Big skies. Horses, sheep, and cows. Lots of American flags. And several amazing nature destinations, where I barely saw a soul. This was … Continue reading Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area Offers Great Hiking and Birding and an Excellent Restored Prairie
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG I’m taking a break from nature stories to celebrate the life of talented musician Glen Hansard, who passed away suddenly yesterday morning. Look for new nature in Chicagoland stories coming soon. Hansard performs in Utrecht, The Netherlands, on May, 2, 2026. Beloved musician Glen … Continue reading Thoughts on the Life of Glen Hansard, the Conveyor Belt of Life, and the Urge to Capture Time
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND" BLOG I'm taking a break from nature stories to rememember my mom on her birthday (her 2025 birthday was her last one). Look for new nature in Chicagoland stories coming soon. We couldn’t make my mom walk again. We couldn’t restore her overall health, which … Continue reading 2025: Celebrating My Mom’s Last Birthday
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
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
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
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
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
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
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