Best Chicago Outdoor Adventures, Nature Report, News & Info – 08/16/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
August 16, 2018
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This week, the magnificent towering blooms of prairie dock will take your breath away. And the same is true for the low-lying button blooms of cylindrical blazingstar, which has the deepest root of any prairie plant. (See how deep it goes in the illustration near the bottom of the post.) The tall and fluffy sweet Joe-Pye weed and golden rays of woodland sunflower can be found in many woodlands and savannas. And, big bluestem and Indian grass are in full flower, but you’ll have to look closely at their top tassels. Also, the majestic American lotus continues to bloom at Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs. And, finally, the flamboyant rough blazing star are just starting their spectacular three-week run.
NOTE: Prairies are wet in the morning, so wear rain gear to avoid being drenched in dew.
Here’s are some of the highlights of what’s happening in Chicago nature:
This is a wonderful week for Chicago’s wildflowers. Wolf Road Prairie and Lake in the Hills Fen are passionate with prairie dock. Shoe Factory Road Prairie and Bluff Spring Fen are insane with cylindrical blazingstar. The woodland of Somme Prairie Grove is wild with sweet Joe-Pye weed (and other flowers). And Illinois Beach Nature Preserve and Pembroke Savanna are fantastic with flowering spurge.
Prairie dock and compass plant are displaying their golden sunflowers upon tall stalks that can easily reach ten feet high. When growing in a group, they look like forests. See these dreamy prairie forests at Wolf Road Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Kickapoo Prairie, Lake in the Hills Fen, and Springbrook Prairie. In most preserves,
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND
THIS WEEK’S TOP PRESERVES:
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester: Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much prairie dock in one place. As you enter the oak savanna from the 31st Street trail head you’ll pass through a beautiful expanse of woodland sunflower and sweet Joe-Pye weed. In the prairie, you’ll find towering stalks of prairie dock. Look around for the tallest prairie dock plant. I found at nine-footer! Many other flowers are part of the prairie mix, as well, including flowering spurge, rosinweed, compass plant, and early goldenrod.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: The woodland surrounding the preserve is gorgeous, featuring a grand display of woodland sunflower, brown-eyed Susan, ironweed, and sweet Joe-Pye weed. Under the sun. peruse the panoply of prairie plants, including early goldenrod, prairie dock, flowering spurge, and prairie dropseed. The long hairlike leaves of dropseed are turning yellow, making a beautiful combination of color and texture against the sprays of brown seed heads of prairie clover. The plumes of prairie dropseed smell like slightly burnt buttered popcorn. Flowers are beginning to appear on obedient plant, rough blazing star, and the lovely, understated round-headed bush clover.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates: The show of cylindrical blazingstar is glorious, together with western sunflower, flowering spurge, nodding wild onion, and the emerging blooms of obedient plant and rough blazing star. Note: Bluff Spring Fen is located nearby.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: The cylindrical blazing star is fantastic atop the large kame (take the out-and-back trail) and on either side of the switchback trail of the “switchback” kame. Under the oak canopy, you’ll find towering sweet Joe-Pye weed and the aptly named bottlebrush grass. Located at the moist base of the opening kames, golden sunflowers grow atop tall stalks of cutleaf coneflower, cup plant, and wingstem. And, under the open sky, you’ll find the flower of the week, cylindrical blazingstar. Other sun-loving flowers of mention are flowering spurge, spotted Joe-Pye weed, swamp milkweed, compass plant, and shrubby cinquefoil. Note: Shoe Factory Road Prairie is located nearby.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion: A large show of flowering spurge is blooming in the savanna, along with large false foxglove and western sunflower. Rough blazing star is just starting to flower, which will keep this preserve on our list for weeks to come. And, in the sand prairie, look for cylindrical blazing star.
Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park: Visit to experience a landscape covered with flowering spurge and partridge pea. And rough blazing star is just starting to bloom and will only get better in the coming weeks.
Sagawau Canyon in Lemont: Note: This nature center is only open from 9 am to 4 pm. Under the trees, you’ll find woodland sunflower, brown-eyed Susan, sweet Joe-Pye weed , and American bellflower. And, in the prairie, there’s a late display of prairie blazing star that’s at the end of its bloom. The nature center offers canyon tours and a hummingbird watch. Call (630) 257-2045 to schedule a tour of the fern-lined canyon.
Lake in the Hills Fen in Lake in the Hills: Forests of prairie dock can be found along the far southern trail. And on the northern trail, there’s a hillside covered with early goldenrod. The pink plumes of spotted Joe-Pye weed is prominent in the wet areas, and tall boneset is beginning its ivory bloom on the brae of several kames. And rough blazing star is just beginning to flower.
Spears Woods in Willow Springs: Visit for the woodland of fluffy sweet Joe-Pye weed and woodland sunflower that surround Hogwash Slough, my favorite Chicago wetland. And check out Boomerang Slough for swamp rose mallow along the bank. A hike through the prairie will provide you with a diverse display of wildflowers, including ironweed, prairie dock, mountain mint, flowering spurge, compass plant, and early goldenrod.
RATED “GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD”:
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: Rough blazing star is starting to bloom. You’ll also find the rare and sublime cream gentian alongside prairie dock, compass plant, flowering spurge, and pasture thistle.
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins: Many flower species can be found, but many are beyond their peak blooms. However, the grasses will help make up for the lack of color. Big bluestem is blooming and Indian grass is just starting to flower. Little bluestem is turning red. Switch grass, Canada wild rye, and prairie dropseed provide rich texture. And rough blazing star is beginning to flower in the dolomite prairie on the eastern half of the preserve.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Hummingbirds, Hummingbirds, Hummingbirds!
The hummingbirds are here! You can find them buzzing about at many nature centers including: Sagawau Canyon, Pilcher Park (at the nature center and south of the greenhouse), and Little Red Schoolhouse.
Ferns & Canyon Tours
Cowles Bog Trail, Miller Woods, Tolleston Dunes, and Hoosier Prairie (all in northwestern Indiana) are leaping with gymnastic ferns that are beginning to change into their autumn colors. If you’d like to experience a beautiful fern-lined canyon, call Sagawau Canyon in Lemont, Illinois to sign up for their next canyon tour. Hurry! They fill up fast.
See a Summer Sunset
Saganashkee Slough in Palos Hills: Sensational for sunsets, as our celestial star—a bright, burning brass ball—slowly sinks in the sky to start a sultry summer eve.
PHOTO SECTION
Somme Prairie Grove
In 1985, this area was cast in total darkness, a dirt floor under an endless gray barrier of scraggly buckthorn. Now, after lots of love from volunteers, it is the edge of a woodland, well-lit and teeming with tall flowers that reach for the sun. Here, we can see an August celebration of woodland sunflower, brown-eyed Susan, sweet Joe-Pye weed, and ironweed.*
At Somme Prairie Grove, woodland sunflowers surround this majestic bur oak in the savanna.*
Pembroke Savanna
In August, the white blooms of flowering spurge erupts across the sand savanna at Pembroke Savanna Nature Preserve in Hopkins Park, Illinois.*
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
In late summer, early flowering spurge and purple rough blazing star blanket the black oak savanna at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois.*
At the end of this late-summer day, large false foxglove blooms across the black oak savanna at Illinois Beach State Park. You can also experience this plant at Bluff Spring Fen, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and Pembroke Savanna.*
Shoe Factory Road Prairie
Atop this hill prairie called Shoe Factory Road Prairie, obedient plant and Indian grass take in the view.*
Spears Woods
In the open woodland at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois, summer brings tall blooms of sweet Joe-Pye weed.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soft sunlight, diffused by morning mist, filters across the preserve. Gathered at the base of the kame, fire-resistant bur oaks hover above a colorful caboodle of spotted Joe-Pye weed and tall goldenrod.*
Lake in the Hills Fen
In August, a knee-high carpet of grass-leaved goldenrod sparkles in the midst of tall goldenrod and a soaring phalanx of prairie dock.
Cylindrical Blazingstar
In August, cylindrical blazingstar blooms in the sand savanna at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. You can also find it Illinois Beach Nature Preserve and, in large numbers, at Shoe Factory Road Prairie and Bluff Spring Fen.*
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois.
Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois is teeming with the grand American lotus. You can reach the wetland by first parking at the far end of the Pulaski Woods lot and then walking a short distance along the trails.
Large False Foxglove
In late summer, large false foxglove blooms in profusion in the black oak savanna at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois. You call also experience this flower at Pembroke Savanna, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and in the savanna of Bluff Spring Fen.*
Big Bluestem Grass
Big bluestem grass gives the true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.”*
Miniature flowers delicately hang from the tassel of big bluestem grass.*
Prairie Dock & Compass Plant
You can find prairie dock at Middlefork Savanna, an imaginative creation dreamt up by Mother Nature. Stretching at least twelve feet beneath the prairie is the taproot—the life, the energy source, and the heart of this plant. The root is also the artery, transporting cold water from deep below to nourish and cool the affection of heartshaped leaves, which are prone to shriveling under the summer sun.Where the root meets the air, a blood-red stalk takes over the job. Swerving towards the sky, the thick stem carries life to multiple golden flowers that may float as high as ten feet above the prairie. Here, the first flower has bloomed, while many ball-like buds are about to follow suit.*
A landscape of compass plant at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Illinois.*
This bloom of compass plant reaches for the sky.*
These are the large leaves of the prairie’s most iconic plants. The heart-shaped leaf is that of prairie dock, and the long-lobed leaf is from a cousin called compass plant.
Swamp Rose Mallow
The beautiful blooms of swamp rose mallow is a plant that can be found in August around some of Chicago’s wetlands.*
Ferns & Canyon Tours
Royal ferns in the light fog of the savanna at Hoosier Prairie in Schererville, Indiana.*
In the Cowles Bog area, you’ll find many species of fern. Here, a forest of royal ferns thrives in a wetland that has formed at the base of a high dune.*
Lush ferns line the walls of Sagawau Canyon in Lemont, Illinois. But you can only see it if you sign up for their upcoming canyon tours. Register soon. They fill up quickly.*
Sultry Summer Sunsets Over Saganashkee Slough (That’s a mouthful!)
On this sweltering, sultry afternoon, a soft flavescent sun sets over Saganashkee Slough in Palos Hills, Illinois.*
Prairie Root System
The root system of some common prairie plants. Note that cylindrical blazing star has the deepest root that reaches over fifteen feet! Click the image for a bigger view.
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike
Best Chicago Outdoor Adventures, Nature Report, News & Info – 08/10/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
August 10, 2018
“Plan the best Chicago outdoor adventure with this Chicago nature report
filled with news and info about the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one perfect moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
Please let us know about how you’re using our service and what it brings to you life. You may write a comment under the blog or our Facebook page. Also share this website with others and suggest that they subscribe.
The pink, feathery button bloom of cylindrical blazing star is the newest showy flower on the scene. It has the deepest root of any prairie plant, even compass plant. (See how deep it goes in the illustration near the bottom of the post.) You can find it most prominently in dry or sandy soils like those at Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, Lake in the Hills Fen, and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Also, the magnificent American lotus continues to bloom at Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs. The pale yellow flowers resemble those of a water lily, but they are much larger—up to eight inches wide atop stems that can reach six above the water. And if that’s not enough, the circular leaves are gorgeous and consistently big, up to two and a half feet in diameter! Many open woodlands and savannas are putting on a display of the tall and fluff sweet Joe-Pye weed and the golden rays of woodland sunflower. And, finally, towering prairie dock is flowering in the prairies. Big bluestem and Indian grass are also flowering, but you’ll have to look closely at its top tassel. And, finally, the purple spikes of prairie blazing star and its slightly shorter cousin, marsh blazing star, are still in bloom, but reaching the end of their spectacular run.
NOTE: Prairies are wet in the morning, so wear rain gear to avoid being drenched in dew.
Here’s are some of the highlights of what’s happening in Chicago nature:
Wolf Road Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove,and the nature center at Sagawau Canyon are giving lessons in biodiversity, both under the tree canopy and beneath the open sky. Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, Lake in the Hills Fen, and Miller Woods are showing cylindrical blazingstar. Compass plant and prairie dock are displaying their golden sunflowers upon tall stalks that can easily reach ten feet high. When growing in a group, they look like miniature forests. See these dreamy prairie forests can be seen at Wolf Road Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Kickapoo Prairie, Lake in the Hills Fen, and Springbrook Prairie. In most preserves, prairie blazing star and marsh blazing star are reaching the end of their purple bloom. See them before they’re gone at preserves like Bluff Spring Fen, Sagawau Nature Center, Kickapoo Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Theodore Stone Preserve, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Spears Woods, and Lake in the Hills Fen.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND
THIS WEEK’S TOP PRESERVES:
Somme Prairie Grove is putting on a nice show of woodland sunflower, brown-eyed Susan, and sweet Joe-Pye weed that are flowering in great numbers under the trees. And the sunny savanna features a panoply of prairie plants, including early goldenrod, prairie dock, and prairie dropseed. The long hairlike leaves of dropseed are turning yellow, making a beautiful combination of color and texture against the sprays of brown seed heads of prairie clover.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester: You’ll begin your lesson in biodiversity right from the beginning, as you enter the oak savanna from the 31st Street trail head to discover a beautiful expanse of woodland sunflower and sweet Joe-Pye weed. In the prairie, you find a beautiful mix of color that come from the purple spikes of prairie blazing star alongside many other species: the white blossoms of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, mountain mint. and flowering spurge, the golden bouquets from rosinweed and forests of skybound compass plant,and prairie dock. Look around for the tallest prairie dock. I found at nine-footer!
Sagawau Canyon nature center is open from 9 am to 4 pm. Under the trees, you’ll find woodland sunflower, brown-eyed Susan, sweet Joe-Pye weed , and American bellflower. And, in the prairie, there’s a stunning late display of prairie blazing star that’s currently at peak bloom. This week begins their hummingbird watch. And call (630) 257-2045 to schedule a tour of the fern-lined canyon.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates: Cylindrical blazingstar is the dominant flower within the fence of the preserve, along with some golden patches of fading rosinweed. While the golden rays of woodland sunflower can be found under the trees. Prairie blazing star, early goldenrod and the fading blooms of wild quinine, and rattlesnake master are prominent outside the fence.
Lake in the Hills Fen in Lake in the Hills: A forest of prairie dock can be found along the far southern trail. And on the northern trail, there’s a hillside covered with early goldenrod. The pink plumes of spotted Joe-Pye weed is prominent in the wet areas, and tall boneset is beginning its ivory bloom on the brae of several kames.
Spears Woods in Willow Springs: Visit for the woodland of fluffy sweet Joe-Pye weed and woodland sunflower that surround Hogwash Slough, my favorite Chicago wetland. A hike through the prairie will provide you with a good smattering of flowers, including prairie blazing star, ironweed, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, mountain mint, flowering spurge, compass plant, and early goldenrod.
RATED “GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD”:
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: The trail begins under the oaks of the savanna and continues into the prairie and the bowl of the fen. Watch your step along the way. And, if you find the trails obstructed or unsafe, please contact John McCabe at john.mccabe@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1180. Under the tree canopy, you’ll find towering sweet Joe-Pye weed and the aptly named bottlebrush grass. Located at the moist base of the opening kames, golden sunflowers grow atop tall stalks of cutleaf coneflower. And, under the open sky, you’ll find nodding wild onion and the flower of the week, cylindrical blazingstar. Other sun-loving flowers of mention are flowering spurge, spotted Joe-Pye weed, swamp milkweed, compass plant, and shrubby cinquefoil.
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins: Many flower species can be found, but many are beyond their peak blooms. However, the grasses will help make up for the lack of color. Big bluestem is blooming and Indian grass is just starting to flower. Little bluestem is turning red. And switch grass, Canada wild rye, and prairie dropseed provide rich texture.
PHOTO SECTION
Somme Prairie Grove
In 1985, this area was cast in total darkness, a dirt floor under an endless gray barrier of scraggly buckthorn. Now, after lots of love from volunteers, it is the edge of a woodland, well-lit and teeming with tall flowers that reach for the sun. Here, we can see an August celebration of woodland sunflower, brown-eyed Susan, sweet Joe-Pye weed, and ironweed.*
At Somme Prairie Grove, woodland sunflowers surround this majestic bur oak in the savanna.*
Sweet Joe-Pye weed, American bellflower, and woodland sunflower put on a show in the woodland at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois.*
Wolf Road Prairie
This was the view of Wolf Road Prairie on Tuesday, July 24 with a lesson in biodiversity. Pictured are prairie blazing star, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, flowering spurge, Culver’s root, rosinweed, and yellow coneflower.
Spears Woods
In the open woodland at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois, summer brings tall blooms of sweet Joe-Pye weed.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
Soft sunlight, diffused by morning mist, filters across the preserve. Gathered at the base of the kame, fire-resistant bur oaks hover above a colorful caboodle of spotted Joe-Pye weed and tall goldenrod.*
Cylindrical Blazingstar
In August, cylindrical blazingstar blooms in the sand savanna at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.*
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois.
Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois is teeming with the grand American lotus. You can reach the wetland by first parking at the far end of the Pulaski Woods lot and then walking a short distance along the trails.
Big Bluestem Grass
Big bluestem grass gives the true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.”*
Miniature flowers delicately hang from the tassel of big bluestem grass.*
Prairie Dock & Compass Plant
You can find prairie dock at Middlefork Savanna, an imaginative creation dreamt up by Mother Nature. Stretching at least twelve feet beneath the prairie is the taproot—the life, the energy source, and the heart of this plant. The root is also the artery, transporting cold water from deep below to nourish and cool the affection of heartshaped leaves, which are prone to shriveling under the summer sun.Where the root meets the air, a blood-red stalk takes over the job. Swerving towards the sky, the thick stem carries life to multiple golden flowers that may float as high as ten feet above the prairie. Here, the first flower has bloomed, while many ball-like buds are about to follow suit.*
A landscape of compass plant at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Illinois.*
This bloom of compass plant reaches for the sky.*
These are the large leaves of the prairie’s most iconic plants. The heart-shaped leaf is that of prairie dock, and the long-lobed leaf is from a cousin called compass plant.
Ferns & Canyon Tours
Royal ferns in the light fog of the savanna at Hoosier Prairie in Schererville, Indiana.*
In the Cowles Bog area, you’ll find many species of fern. Here, a forest of royal ferns thrives in a wetland that has formed at the base of a high dune.*
Lush ferns line the walls of Sagawau Canyon in Lemont, Illinois. But you can only see it if you sign up for their upcoming canyon tours. Register soon. They fill up quickly.*
Sultry Summer Sunsets Over Saganashkee Slough (That’s a mouthful!)
On this sweltering, sultry afternoon, a soft flavescent sun sets over Saganashkee Slough in Palos Hills, Illinois.*
Prairie Root System
The root system of some common prairie plants. Note that cylindrical blazing star has the deepest root that reaches over fifteen feet! Click the image for a bigger view.
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike
Best Chicago Outdoor Adventures, Wildflower Report, News & Info – 08/02/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
August 2, 2018
“Plan the best Chicago outdoor adventure with this Chicago wildflower report
filled with news and info to discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
Please let us know about how you’re using our service and what it brings to you life. We want to hear your stories so that we know our service means something to you. You can write a comment under the blog. And you can participate on our Facebook page, but write something specific. Also share this website with others and suggest that they subscribe.
This week’s wildflower action ups the ante on last week, and last week’s events were great! The purple spikes of prairie blazing star and its slightly shorter cousin, marsh blazing star, have reached peak bloom in the prairies. And prairie dock is finally flowering on stems that reach over nine feet high. The open woodlands and savannas are putting on a show of their own with skyward blooms of feathery sweet Joe-Pye weed and the golden rays of woodland sunflower. Both plants are found under the trees, though the sunflowers can sneak out into the sun. Big bluestem grass is also flowering, but you have to look closely at its top tassel. And, finally, I was amazed to learn of a dramatic wetland wildflower that finds its home in the Chicago area. It’s called the American lotus. The pale yellow flowers resemble those of a water lily, but they are much larger—up to eight inches wide atop stems that can reach six feet high. And that isn’t all. The circular leaves are gorgeous and consistently big, up to two and a half feet in diameter! See the Picture Section below for images of American lotus (and where to find it) along with the many flowers featured in this report.
Here’s are some of the highlights of what’s happening in Chicago nature:
Like last week, Wolf Road Prairie is this week’s most showy preserve with a breathtaking display of biodiversity. The beauty immediately begins as soon as you enter the oak savanna at the 31st Street trail head as woodland sunflower and sweet Joe-Pye weed fill the understory. In the prairie, I just love how the purple spikes of prairie blazing star has reached peak arrival mix with pearly whites of wild quinine and rattlesnake master and the vibrant blooms of yellow coneflower. You can also find prairie blazing star and marsh blazing star at other prairies, including Bluff Spring Fen, Kickapoo Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Spears Woods, Lake in the Hills Fen, and Bartel Grassland in TInley Park. Compass plant is another showy plant, which is killing it this week, especially when growing in groups or, what I like to call, “forests.” These dreamy prairie forests can be seen at Wolf Road Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Kickapoo Prairie, and Springbrook Prairie. Like Wolf Road Prairie,
Somme Prairie Grove is putting on a grand show of biodiversity, as well. It is a pure delight to see so much color and texture. Both woodland sunflower and sweet Joe-Pye weed flowering in profusion under the trees. And the sunny savanna features a panoply of of prairie plants.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie is now covered with a white glow of wild quinine. with marsh blazing star adding to the bouquet. And, not far from there, visit Kickapoo Prairie for Tinker Toy rattlesnake master, a forest of compass plant, and the flamboyant prairie blazing star.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND
THIS WEEK’S TOP PRESERVES:
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester: Visit this week to experience the beauty of the prairie and oak savanna. In the prairie, blazing star flowers alongside many other species: the white blossoms of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, mountain mint. flowering spurge, and Culver’s root, along with the golden bouquets of rosinweed, yellow coneflower, plus forests of compass plant, and newly blooming prairie dock. Look around to see the tallest prairie dock. I found at nine-footer!
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: Like Wolf Road Prairie, this preserve is putting on a show in biodiversity. In other words, myriad species are in bloom, Flashy woodland sunflower and towering sweet Joe-Pye weed steal the show under the canopy of trees. However, there are many performances taking place under the open sky of the savanna depending upon where you walk. Along the trails, you’ll discover shows of early goldenrod, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and purple prairie clover. But there’s more to appreciate than just the flowers. I find delight from the large heart-shaped leaves of prairie dock and the stringy bob hairdo of prairie dropseed.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham: Visit for the ivory landscape with much of the prairie immersed in wild quinine. And you’ll find beautiful patches of marsh blazing star. NOTE: The preserve is not locked up, even if it looks that way. There’s a “dummy lock” at the entrance gate. The lock and chain are merely draped over the gate to give the appearance of being locked. Simply undrape the chain to enter.
Kickapoo Prairie in Riverdale: Grand displays of three flowers make this preserve worth attending: the purple spike of prairie blazing star, the latticework of rattlesnake master, with its white molecular-like flower heads, the sweet-smelling mountain mint, and the forest of compass plant and its golden blossoms.
RATED “GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD”:
Lake in the Hills Fen in Lake in the Hills: There are some nice dense patches of wildflowers blooming together, including prairie blazing star, yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and wild bergamot.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: The trail begins under the oaks of the savanna and continues into the prairie and the bowl of the fen. Watch your step along the way. The trails are overgrown, and I’ve been trying for weeks to get them to maintain these potentially unsafe trails. If you find the trails difficult or unsafe, please contact John McCabe at john.mccabe@cookcountyil.gov or 708-771-1180. Under the tree canopy, you’ll find towering sweet Joe-Pye weed and the aptly named bottlebrush grass. Under the open sky, you’ll find marsh blazing star, swamp milkweed, spotted Joe-Pye weed, compass plant, yellow coneflower, and the preserve’s flower of the week, cylindrical blazing star.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates: The best show is happening outside the fence of this preserve with displays of prairie blazing star, early goldenrod, wild quinine, and rattlesnake master. And woodland sunflower can be found inside the fence under the trees. The newest flowering plant on the scene is cylindrical blazing star. It has a a deepest root of any prairie plant, even compass plant. See how deep it goes in the illustration at the bottom of the post..
Spears Woods in Willow Springs: Visit the woodland for fluffy sweet Joe-Pye weed and woodland sunflower that surround Hogwash Slough, my favorite Chicagoland wetland. A hike through the prairie will provide you with a decent smattering of flowers, including prairie blazing star, ironweed, wild bergamot, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, mountain mint, flowering spurge, compass plant, and early goldenrod.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: This is a tiny preserve, but I think it’s worth the visit to see the miniature forest of blooming compass plant alongside flowering yellow coneflower and prairie blazing star.
PHOTO SECTION
Wolf Road Prairie
This was the view of Wolf Road Prairie on Tuesday, July 24 with a lesson in biodiversity. Pictured are prairie blazing star, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, flowering spurge, Culver’s root, rosinweed, and yellow coneflower.
This image is fairly representative of what you’d see at Wolf Road Prairie, but every plant shown is currently blooming except for the tall purple spikes of prairie blazing star.*
Somme Prairie Grove
At Somme Prairie Grove, woodland sunflowers surround this majestic bur oak in the savanna.*
Sweet Joe-Pye weed, American bellflower, and woodland sunflower put on a show in the woodland at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois.*
Purple prairie clover and mountain mint steal the show in this area of Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois.*
Here, at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois , we see the large, deeply lobed leaf of compass plant among a sea of purple prairie clover.*
Kickapoo Prairie
Summer storm clouds brew at Kickapoo Prairie where rattlesnake master, Indian grass, and compass plant glow in the sun.
Spears Woods
In the open woodland at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois, summer brings tall blooms of sweet Joe-Pye weed.*
Gensburg-Markham Prairie
The summer sun goes down on wild quinine and marsh phlox as nonstop tollway traffic rolls past its eastern aorder. Each hour of each day, people drive by, unaware of the natural treasures they’d discover by taking the West 159th Street exit.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
Prairie Blazing Star and Marsh Blazing Star
Prairie blazing star and rosinweed in July at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove, Illinois.*
Blazing star blooms at the seep of the fen at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
The wildflowers at Wolf Road Prairie explode in July. Here, we have purple prairie blazing star, yellow rosinweed, and whites of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and Culver’s root.*
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough
American Lotus at Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois.
Tomahawk Slough in Willow Springs, Illinois is teeming with the grand American lotus. You an reach the wetland by first parking at the far end of Pulaski Woods parking lot and then walking a short distance along the trails.
Big Bluestem Grass
Big bluestem grass gives the true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.”*
Miniature flowers delicately hang from the tassel of big bluestem grass.*
Prairie Dock & Compass Plant
You can find prairie dock at Middlefork Savanna, an imaginative creation dreamt up by Mother Nature. Stretching at least twelve feet beneath the prairie is the taproot—the life, the energy source, and the heart of this plant. The root is also the artery, transporting cold water from deep below to nourish and cool the affection of heartshaped leaves, which are prone to shriveling under the summer sun.Where the root meets the air, a blood-red stalk takes over the job. Swerving towards the sky, the thick stem carries life to multiple golden flowers that may float as high as ten feet above the prairie. Here, the first flower has bloomed, while many ball-like buds are about to follow suit.*
A landscape of compass plant at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Illinois.*
This bloom of compass plant reaches for the sky.*
These are the large leaves of the prairie’s most iconic plants. The heart-shaped leaf is that of prairie dock, and the long-lobed leaf is from a cousin called compass plant.
Rattlesnake Master
Rattlesnake master is a wonderful Chicago prairie flower that looks like something you’d find in Arizona or Texas. To experience rattlesnake master, visit Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Gensburg Markham Prairie, Kickapoo Woods and Prairie, Spears Woods, Theodore Stone Preserve, and other local prairies over the next few weeks.*
Purple Prairie Clover and It’s Remarkably Fresh Scent (see caption for details)
This flower emanates my favorite (nice) smell in Chicago nature with the fresh scent of carrots and lemon. Here, a bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin, Illinois.*.
Come to Bluff Spring Fen early on a July morning and you might experience a chromatic expanse of purple prairie clover. Currently, most of the flowers have faded at most preserves, except for Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook.*
More Flagrantly Fragrant Flowers
“Lavender in color and mint in fragrance” describes wild bergamot. “Whimsical with an aroma of anise” describes yellow coneflower. Both are native to the prairie, and both are healers. Known as pioneer species, they are among the first plants to colonize disturbed or degraded areas. Their presence improves soil quality while allowing other plants to move in, leading to greater biodiversity.*
Mountain mint and prairie blazing star flower in the July prairie at Spears Woods in Willow Springs.*
Prairie Root System
The root system of some common prairie plants. Note that cylindrical blazing star has the deepest root that reaches over fifteen feet! Click the image for a bigger view.
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike
Best Chicago Wildflower Walks, Outdoor Adventures, News & Info – 07/27/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
July 27, 2018
“Plan the best Chicago outdoor adventure with this Chicago wildflower report
filled with news and info to discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
Collectively, I and the volunteer scouts donate over fifty hours of time and hundreds of miles of driving to create each week’s alert. But we rarely hear from you. So, please let us know about how you’re using our service and what it brings to you life. We want to hear your stories so that we know our service means something to you. You can write a comment under the blog. And you can participate on our Facebook page, but write something specific. We’ll take a “like,” but they not very inspiring. And, also share this website with others and suggest that they subscribe.
This is a wonderful week to visit the Chicago’s great outdoors of Chicago as the tall, elegant prairie blazing star and its slightly shorter cousin, marsh blazing star, reach peak bloom, adding to an already exciting bouquet of flowers. Also new on the scene are the skyward blooms of feathery sweet Joe-Pye weed and the golden rays of woodland sunflower. Both plants are found under the trees, though the sunflowers can sneak out into the prairie. Big bluestem grass is also flowering, but you have to look closely at its top tassel. See pictures below.
Here’s are some of the highlights of what’s happening in Chicago nature:
Wolf Road Prairie is the preserve of the week, which is building upon last week’s biodiversity and beauty with the arrival of woodland sunflower and sweet Joe-Pye weed in the savanna. In the prairie, I just love how the purple spikes of prairie blazing star mix with pearly wild quinine and rattlesnake master and the vibrant blooms of yellow coneflower. You can also find prairie blazing star and marsh blazing star at other prairies, including Bluff Spring Fen, Kickapoo Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Spears Woods, Lake in the Hills Fen, and Bartel Grassland in TInley Park. Compass plant is killing it, especially when you find them in groups or, what I like to call, “forests.” These dreamy prairie forests can be seen at Wolf Road Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Kickapoo Prairie, and Springbrook Prairie. And purple prairie clover is still in the mix for one last weekend at Somme Prairie Grove.
Somme Prairie Grove is putting on a grand celebration in biodiversity, as well. It is a pure delight to see so much color and texture. Gensburg-Markham Prairie is now covered with a white glow of wild quinine. with marsh blazing star adding to the bouquet. And, not far from there, visit Kickapoo Prairie for Tinker Toy rattlesnake master, a forest of compass plant, and the flamboyant prairie blazing star.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND
THIS WEEK’S TOP PRESERVES:
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester: Visit this week to experience the beauty of the prairie and oak savanna. In the prairie, blazing star flowers alongside many other species: the white blossoms of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and Culver’s root, and the golden bouquets of rosinweed, yellow coneflower, plus forests of compass plant.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: Like Wolf Road Prairie, this preserve is putting on a show in biodiversity. In other words, myriad species are in bloom, Flashy woodland sunflower and towering sweet Joe-Pye weed steal the show under the canopy of trees. However, there are many performances taking place under the open sky of the savanna depending upon where you walk. Along the trails, you’ll discover shows of early goldenrod, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and purple prairie clover. But there’s more to appreciate than just the flowers. I find delight from the large heart-shaped leaves of prairie dock and the stringy bob hairdo of prairie dropseed.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: This is a tiny preserve, but I think it’s worth the visit to see the miniature forest of blooming compass plant alongside flowering yellow coneflower and prairie blazing star.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham: Visit for the ivory landscape with much of the prairie immersed in wild quinine. And you’ll find beautiful patches of marsh blazing star. NOTE: The preserve is not locked up, even if it looks that way. There’s a “dummy lock” at the entrance gate. The lock and chain are merely draped over the gate to give the appearance of being locked. Simply undrape the chain to enter.
Kickapoo Prairie in Riverdale: Grand displays of three flowers make this preserve worth attending: the purple spike of prairie blazing star, the latticework of rattlesnake master, with its white molecular-like flower heads, the sweet-smelling mountain mint, and the forest of compass plant and its golden blossoms.
RATED “GO, IF YOU’RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD”:
Lake in the Hills Fen in Lake in the Hills: There are some nice dense patches of wildflowers blooming together including prairie blazing star, yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, and wild bergamot.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: The trail begins under the oaks of the savanna and continues into the prairie and the bowl of the fen. Watch your step along the way. The trails are overgrown. Under the tree canopy, you’ll find towering sweet Joe-Pye weed and the aptly named bottlebrush grass. Under the open sky, you’ll find marsh blazing star, swamp milkweed, yellow coneflower, compass plant, and the start of cylindrical blazing star.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates: Compass plant is present in large numbers along the west slope along with wild quinine and yellow coneflower. And cylindrical blazing star is beginning to flower.
Spears Woods in Willow Springs: Visit for the woodland of fluffy sweet Joe-Pye weed and woodland sunflowers that surround Hogwash Slough, my favorite Chicagoland wetland. A hike through the prairie will provide you with a decent smattering of flowers, including prairie blazing star, wild bergamot, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, mountain mint, compass plant, and early goldenrod.
PHOTO SECTION
Wolf Road Prairie
This was the view of Wolf Road Prairie on Tuesday, July 24 with a lesson in biodiversity. Pictured are prairie blazing star, wild quinine, rattlesnake master, flowering spurge, Culver’s root, rosinweed, and yellow coneflower.
This image is fairly representative of what you’d see at Wolf Road Prairie, but every plant shown is currently blooming except for the tall purple spikes of prairie blazing star.*
Somme Prairie Grove
At Somme Prairie Grove, woodland sunflowers surround this majestic bur oak in the savanna.*
Sweet Joe-Pye weed, American bellflower, and woodland sunflower put on a show in the woodland at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois.*
Purple prairie clover and mountain mint steal the show in this area of Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois.*
Here, at Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois , we see the large, deeply lobed leaf of compass plant among a sea of purple prairie clover.*
Kickapoo Prairie
Summer storm clouds brew at Kickapoo Prairie where rattlesnake master, Indian grass, and compass plant glow in the sun.
Spears Woods
In the open woodland at Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois, summer brings tall blooms of sweet Joe-Pye weed.*
Gensburg-Markham Prairie
The summer sun goes down on wild quinine and marsh phlox as nonstop tollway traffic rolls past its eastern aorder. Each hour of each day, people drive by, unaware of the natural treasures they’d discover by taking the West 159th Street exit.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
Prairie Blazing Star and Marsh Blazing Star Have Begun Their Flamboyant Bloom!
Prairie blazing star and rosinweed in July at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove, Illinois.*
Blazing star blooms at the seep of the fen at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
The wildflowers at Wolf Road Prairie explode in July. Here, we have purple prairie blazing star, yellow rosinweed, and whites of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and Culver’s root.*
Big Bluestem Grass
Big bluestem grass gives the true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.”*
Miniature flowers delicately hang from the tassel of big bluestem grass.*
Purple Prairie Clover and It’s Remarkably Fresh Scent (see caption for details)
This flower emanates my favorite (nice) smell in Chicago nature with the fresh scent of carrots and lemon. Here, a bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin, Illinois.*
Come to Bluff Spring Fen early on a July morning and you might experience a chromatic expanse of purple prairie clover.*
More Flagrantly Fragrant Flowers
“Lavender in color and mint in fragrance” describes wild bergamot. “Whimsical with an aroma of anise” describes yellow coneflower. Both are native to the prairie, and both are healers. Known as pioneer species, they are among the first plants to colonize disturbed or degraded areas. Their presence improves soil quality while allowing other plants to move in, leading to greater biodiversity.*
Mountain mint and prairie blazing star flower in the July prairie at Spears Woods in Willow Springs.*
Compass Plant
This bloom of compass plant reaches for the sky.*
A landscape of compass plant at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Illinois.*
Rattlesnake Master
Rattlesnake master is a wonderful Chicago prairie flower that looks like something you’d find in Arizona or Texas. To experience rattlesnake master, visit Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Gensburg Markham Prairie, Kickapoo Woods and Prairie, Spears Woods, Theodore Stone Preserve, and other local prairies over the next few weeks.*
Culver’s Root
During some years, Culver’s root blooms en masse at Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester, Illinois.*
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike
Best Chicago Wildflower Walks, Outdoor Adventures, News & Info – 07/19/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
July 19, 2018
“Plan a Chicago outdoor adventure with this Chicago wildflower report
filled with news and info to discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
This is a very busy week in the great outdoors of Chicago as the tall and flamboyant prairie blazing star and its slightly shorter cousin, marsh blazing star, add to last week’s grand bouquet of wildflowers.
Here’s are some of the highlights of what’s happening in Chicago nature:
The newest flower on the scene are the tall, feathered spiked blooms of prairie blazing star and marsh blazing star, which can be seen at many prairies around the region,like Lake in the Hills Fen, Wolf Road Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, Kickapoo Prairie, Belmont Prairie, Gensburg-Markham Prairie, Spears Woods, Bartel Grassland in TInley Park, and more. Purple prairie clover is still in the mix at Bluff Spring Fen, Somme Prairie Grove., and other preserves. Their pink-purple blossoms smells like a blend of carrot and lemon—my favorite (nice) scent in Chicago nature. Many other plants are flowering, as well, including Culver’s root, rattlesnake master, rosinweed, compass plant, rattlesnake master, and the fragrant yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, and mountain mint.
Somme Prairie Grove is putting on a grand celebration in biodiversity. It is a pure delight to see so much color and texture. Wolf Road Prairie looks spectacular, as well. With so many different species in bloom, the preserve is giving a lesson in biodiversity. Gensburg-Markham Prairie is now covered with a white glow of wild quinine. I’ve never seen so much. And, not far from there, visit Kickapoo Prairie for Tinker Toy rattlesnake master and the golden blooms of compass plant. And Lake in the Hills Fen offers long walks through fields of flowers.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: Purple prairie clover, is blooming in dense populations alongside many other flowers that create a beautiful bouquet. See the pearly whites of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and mountain mint, the lavenders of wild bergamot, the golds of black-eyed Susan, compass plant, and early goldenrod, mixed in with a rich texture of emerald foliage from the grand heart-shaped leaves of prairie dock and the stringy bob hairdo of prairie dropseed.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester: Visit this week to see the biodiversity of a prairie with the new arrival of prairie blazing star alongside many other species in bloom, including the white blossoms of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and Culver’s root, and the golden bouquets of rosinweed, yellow coneflower, and compass plant. Spiderwort is still blooming during the morning hours!
Lake in the Hills Fen in Lake in the Hills: There are lots of wildflowers in bloom in this large, open preserve, including the newly flowering prairie blazing star, yellow coneflower, black-eyed Susan, wild bergamot.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: Purple prairie clover is blooming in profusion along with some early blooms of pink marsh blazing star. Staying with these royal hues, you’ll find nice stands of common milkweed and swamp milkweed. You’ll also find flowers of gold, like rosinweed, yellow coneflower., black-eyed Susan, and the towering stalks of compass plant. And waist-high blooms of flat-topped wild quinine provide sparkles of white.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham: Visit for the ivory landscape with much of the prairie immersed in wild quinine. Yes, there are other flowers blooming here, but you hardly notice them amidst the sea of white.
Kickapoo Prairie in Riverdale: Grand displays of two flowers make this preserve worth attending: the latticework of rattlesnake master, with its white molecular-like flower heads, and the forest of compass plant and its golden blossoms. And prairie blazing star is beginning to flower.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: This cute remnant prairie nestled within a quiet neighborhood is showing off dense golden displays of compass plant alongside with yellow coneflower and rosinweed. Also, prairie blazing star is now in bloom.
PHOTO SECTION
Wolf Road Prairie
This image is fairly representative of what you’d see at Wolf Road Prairie, but every plant shown is currently blooming except for the tall purple spikes of prairie blazing star.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
This is a view that’s forming in the prairie at Bluff Spring Fen. Just as blooms of leadplant and coreopsis fade, purple prairie clover rises to take their place.*
Somme Prairie Grove
Purple prairie clover and mountain mint steal the show in this area of Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois.*
At Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois, compass plant stretches out its deeply lobed leaves in a sea of purple prairie clover.*
Gensburg-Markham Prairie
The summer sun goes down on wild quinine and marsh phlox as nonstop tollway traffic rolls past its eastern aorder. Each hour of each day, people drive by, unaware of the natural treasures they’d discover by taking the West 159th Street exit.*
Prairie Blazing Star and Marsh Blazing Star Have Begun Their Flamboyant Bloom!
Prairie blazing star and rosinweed in July at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove, Illinois.*
Blazing star blooms at the seep of the fen at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
The wildflowers at Wolf Road Prairie explode in July. Here, we have purple prairie blazing star, yellow rosinweed, and whites of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and Culver’s root.*
Purple Prairie Clover and It’s Remarkably Fresh Scent (see caption for details)
This flower emanates my favorite (nice) smell in Chicago nature with the fresh scent of carrots and lemon. Here, a bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin, Illinois.*
Come to Bluff Spring Fen early on a July morning and you might experience a chromatic expanse of purple prairie clover.*
More Flagrantly Fragrant Flowers
“Lavender in color and mint in fragrance” describes wild bergamot. “Whimsical with an aroma of anise” describes yellow coneflower. Both are native to the prairie, and both are healers. Known as pioneer species, they are among the first plants to colonize disturbed or degraded areas. Their presence improves soil quality while allowing other plants to move in, leading to greater biodiversity.*
Mountain mint and prairie blazing star flower in the July prairie at Spears Woods in Willow Springs.*
Compass Plant
This bloom of compass plant reaches for the sky.*
A landscape of compass plant at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Illinois.*
Rattlesnake Master
Rattlesnake master is a wonderful Chicago prairie flower that looks like something you’d find in Arizona or Texas. To experience rattlesnake master, visit Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Gensburg Markham Prairie, Kickapoo Woods and Prairie, Spears Woods, Theodore Stone Preserve, and other local prairies over the next few weeks.*
Culver’s Root
During some years, Culver’s root blooms en masse at Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester, Illinois.*
Miraculous Spiderwort, with Flowers that Melt, are Still Blooming!
Spiderwort in the morning light at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove and at every savanna and prairie that we feature. A flower will open up in the morning and then melt in just a few hours. So, the morning is the time to see the flowers in bloom. Learn more here.
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike
Best Chicago Wildflower Walks, Outdoor Adventures, News & Info – 07/12/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
July 12, 2018
“Plan a Chicago outdoor adventure with this Chicago wildflower report
filled with news and info to discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
First, I’d like Jim Yassick as our newest Nature Scout. And though it’s not required, it doesn’t hurt that he’s an accomplished photographer. Please scout for us. We can really use the help, even if you only take pictures with your cell phone. Click here to learn more about being on our enthusiastic and supportive team of nature lovers. Nature newbies are welcome. You’ll be amazed how much you’ll learn in such a short time!
Here’s are some of the highlights of what’s happening in Chicago nature:
Purple prairie clover is the star of the week, stealing the show at Bluff Spring Fen,, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, and Somme Prairie Grove. Its fresh scent is a blend of carrot and lemon—my favorite (nice) smell in Chicago nature. But it shares the stage with many newly flowering plants, including Culver’s root, rattlesnake master, rosinweed, compass plant, rattlesnake master, and the fragrant yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, and mountain mint. Wolf Road Prairie looks spectacular. With so many different species in bloom, the preserve is giving a lesson in biodiversity. Gensburg-Markham Prairie is now covered with wild quinine. I’ve never seen so much. And, not far from there, visit Kickapoo Prairie for Tinker Toy rattlesnake master and the golden blooms of compass plant. This is also your last chance to experience a beautiful native plant that most people only associate with the desert: prickly pear cactus. You can find its transcendent yellow blossoms at several sandy preserves, including Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Miller Woods, Powderhorn Marsh & Prairie, and Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. It’s worth the trek.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE THIS WEEKEND
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: Many flowers are blooming, including a sublime display on the north side of the savanna. There, you’ll be immersed in the purples of leadplant combined with the oranges of butterfly weed, the pearly whites of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and mountain mint, the lavenders of wild bergamot, the golds of black-eyed Susan and compass plant, and a rich texture of jade foliage from the grand heart-shaped leaves of prairie dock and the stringy bob hairdo of prairie dropseed. In the southern half of the preserve, our star of the week, purple prairie clover, is blooming in dense populations alongside many other flowers that create a beautiful bouquet.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester: Visit this week to see the biodiversity of a prairie. There are so many different kinds of flowers, including the white blossoms of wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and Culver’s root, the golden bouquets of rosinweed, yellow coneflower, and compass plant, and the beautiful orange Michgan lily. And spiderwort is still blooming in the morning hours.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: Purple prairie clover is blooming in profusion, replacing the shrivelling pale purple coneflower, leadplant, and prairie coreopsis. Staying with the hues of purple, you’ll find nice stands of common milkweed and swamp milkweed alongside splashes of orange butterfly milkweed. New gold flowers are popping up, like rosinweed, yellow coneflower., black-eyed Susan, and the towering stalks of compass plant. You’ll also see sparkles of white atop waist-high blooms of flat-topped wild quinine. And don’t forget to kneel to catch the fragrance of pasture rose found at the northeast kame.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates: This week, I rated the experience as “Go, if you’re in the neighborhood.” This tiny hill prairie is exhibiting two kinds of clover: purple prairie clover and, the less common, white prairie clover. But both are fading. The white flowers of wild quinine and rattlesnake master brighten the landscape, along with a handful of golden blooms atop towering compass plant.
Gensburg-Markham Prairie in Markham: Visit for the ivory landscape with much of the prairie immersed in wild quinine. Yes, there are other flowers blooming here, but you hardly notice them amidst the sea of white.
Kickapoo Prairie in Riverdale: Grand displays of two flowers make this preserve worth attending: the latticework of rattlesnake master, with its white molecular-like flower heads, and the forest of compass plant and its golden blossoms.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion: This is on this week’s “Go, if you’re in the neighbood” list because we were only able to scout it last week. This is a great preserve to visit with or without wildflowers, even though there are many to see. You should still find the final blooms spiderwort. And prickly pear cactus may still be flowering in the savanna and the sand prairie. There’s also a nice smattering of common milkweed, butterfly milkweed, and hairy puccoon under the oaks of the savanna. The fragrant pink and yellow pasture rose are almost gone, flowering just inches from the ground. I recommend dropping to your knees to smell its divine fragrance . (I do, at least once a day when we’re together.)
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: Ranked as “Go, if you’re in the neighborhood.” This intimate remnant prairie that’s nestled within a quiet neighborhood of Downers Grove, You’ll find orange butterfly milkweed, and the golden flowers of compass plant, yellow coneflower, and rosinweed.
COMING SOON: PRAIRIE & MARSH BLAZING STAR
PHOTO SECTION
Wolf Road Prairie
This image was made later in July at Wolf Road Prairie, but every plant shown is currently blooming except for the tall purple spikes of prairie blazing star.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
This is a view that’s forming in the prairie at Bluff Spring Fen. Just as blooms of leadplant and coreopsis fade, purple prairie clover rises to take their place.*
Somme Prairie Grove
The purple plant in this panorama is leadplant, which can search for water fifteen feet below the arid surface. Other drought-tolerant species seen here include prairie dropseed and wild quinine, in the front; and farther out, prairie dock, compass plant, and rattlesnake master.*
At Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois, compass plant stretches out its deeply lobed leaves in a sea of purple prairie clover.*
Gensburg-Markham Prairie
The summer sun goes down on wild quinine and marsh phlox as nonstop tollway traffic rolls past its eastern aorder. Each hour of each day, people drive by, unaware of the natural treasures they’d discover by taking the West 159th Street exit.*
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
Butterfly milkweed (or butterfly weed) can bloom in several of Chicagoland’s prairies and savannas around this time, including Bluff Spring Fen, Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, and, here, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion.
At Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois, a common snapping turtle trudges through the sandy Lake Michigan shoreline on its way to the Dead River, about a thousand turtle steps away.*
The Dead River, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, is the only remaining river in Illinois that flows into Lake Michigan. The name comes either from deep pools of quicksand hidden along the banks that devour unsuspecting hikers or from water that remains still and barely flows. On this sapphire morning, the latter was true.*
Purple Prairie Clover and It’s Remarkably Fresh Scent (see caption for details)
This flower emanates my favorite (nice) smell in Chicago nature with the fresh scent of carrots and lemon. Here, a bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin, Illinois.*
Come to Bluff Spring Fen early on a July morning and you might experience a chromatic expanse of purple prairie clover.*
More Flagrantly Fragrant Flowers
“Lavender in color and mint in fragrance” describes wild bergamot. “Whimsical with an aroma of anise” describes yellow coneflower. Both are native to the prairie, and both are healers. Known as pioneer species, they are among the first plants to colonize disturbed or degraded areas. Their presence improves soil quality while allowing other plants to move in, leading to greater biodiversity.*
White-flowered mountain mint releases its refresh scent at Somme Prairie Grove and many other local preserves.*
Compass Plant
This bloom of compass plant reaches for the sky.*
A landscape of compass plant at Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Illinois.*
Rattlesnake Master
Rattlesnake master is a wonderful Chicago prairie flower that looks like something you’d find in Arizona or Texas. To experience rattlesnake master, visit Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Wolf Road Prairie, Fermilab Prairie, Gensburg Markham Prairie, Kickapoo Woods and Prairie, Spears Woods, Theodore Stone Preserve, and other local prairies over the next few weeks.*
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus at Sandy Preserves Around the Region
Blooms of eastern prickly pear cactus can be found in late June in sandy preserves around the Chicago area, like Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Miller Woods, Powderhorn Marsh & Prairie, and Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve.*
Pasture Rose at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve & Bluff Spring Fen
The fragrance of pasture rose is transcendent—a spiritual experience. It blooms barely inches from the ground. During that time, whenever we’re together, I partake in a sacred ritual. I drop to my knees and bow in reverence, nose to petal. You can find this flower at preserves like Illinois Beach Nature Preserve and Bluff Spring Fen.*
Miraculous Spiderwort, with Flowers that Melt, are Still Blooming!
Spiderwort in the morning light at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove and at every savanna and prairie that we feature. A flower will open up in the morning and then melt in just a few hours. So, the morning is the time to see the flowers in bloom. Learn more here.
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike
Best Chicago Nature Walks, Outdoor Getaways, News & Info – 07/06/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
July 6, 2018
“Plan your Chicago outdoor adventure with Chicago nature info and news
to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
Here’s are some of the highlights of what’s happening in Chicago nature:
Before I begin, thanks to Zeke for taking over the reins for the past two weeks while I was visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. Except for the tundra, the wildflowers pale in comparison to what we have in Chicago. The tundra display with miles of rugged, diminutive wildflowers was wonderful, especially amidst the backdrop of the mountains. But, the rest of the park did not offer the density of wildflowers that I’ve grown used to at home.
ChicagoNatureNOW! is about alerting people to “national park quality blooming events” that are happening around the region. However, in most national parks, which are located in the mountains of the west, wildflowers are mainly found after the snow has melted in June and only last into August. Here, flowers explode in great quantities from mid-April through the beginning of September. Our prairies and savannas put on floral shows all summer long. Each week or two, a performance will end just in time for a fresh cast of colorful actors to take the stage to begin a brand new show. Sometimes there will be a short lull or quiet transition between shows, but it’s still usually pretty great.
Many of our preserves are currently in this kind of transition, moving from late-June flowers, like leadplant and prairie coreopsis,,to the early-July blossoms that include purple prairie clover, Culver’s root, wild bergamot, prickly pear cactus, yellow coneflower, rosinweed, and rattlesnake master. But it is also your moment to see a beautiful native plant that most people only associate with dry desert climates: eastern prickly pear cactus. Yes, Chicago has a cactus, and you can find its transcendent yellow blossoms at several sandy preserves, including Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Miller Woods, Powderhorn Marsh & Prairie, and Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve. It’s definitely worth the trek.
As I mentioned, you’ll find cactus at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve along with many other flowers. Somme Prairie Grove is showing off a nice late display of purple leadplant and orange butterfly weed on the knobs in the northeast corner of the savanna. And you’ll find many other species flowering throughout your hike. And the fresh-scented blooms of purple prairie clover is just starting at the relatively approximate preserves of Shoe Factory Road Prairie and Bluff Spring Fen. Purple prairie clover is my favorite (nice) smell of any Chicago flower. (Remember, I love the uncanny (bad) vomit smell of the seed of foxglove beardtongue). Learn more about the smell in the Photo Section below.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO NATURE TRIP THIS WEEKEND
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: Leadplant is about to explode in the northeast corner of the open savanna. It’s a glorious bouquet when mixed with butterfly weed , wild quinine, rattlesnake master, and the grand heart-shaped leaves of prairie dock. Along your hike, you’ll find many other species, as well, including common milkweed and purple milkweed. And, along the western trails, look for the forthcoming purple prairie clover. Even if it’s not flowering, you can still smell its scent by putting your nose against gray oval inflorescence (flower head).
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion: This is a perfect place to find blooming prickly pear cactus in the savanna and the sand prairie. There’s also a nice smattering of common milkweed, butterfly milkweed, and hairy puccoon under the canopy of the black oak savanna. Fragrant pink and yellow pasture rose grows just inches from the ground. I highly recommend dropping to your knees to smell its divine fragrance . (I do, at least once a day when we’re together.) This is a great preserve to visit with or without wildflowers.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie in Hoffman Estates: This tiny hill prairie is exhibiting two kinds of clover: purple prairie clover and, the less common, white prairie clover. You’ll also see fading blooms of June’s leadplant and prairie coreopsis. And the white flowers of wild quinine and rattlesnake master brighten the landscape. The purple prairie clover looks good now and will probably peak next weekend.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: “Go if you’re in the neighborhood.” As blooms of pale purple coneflower and prairie coreopsis fade, a new show is beginning with the appearance of purple prairie clover blooming throughout the preserve’s prairie. Staying with the hues of purple, you’ll find nice stands of common milkweed and swamp milkweed, along with splashes of orange butterfly milkweed. New gold flowers are popping up, like rosinweed, yellow coneflower., black-eyed Susan, and the towering stalks of compass plant. You’ll also see splashes of white atop waist-high blooms of flat-topped wild quinine. And don’t forget to kneel to catch the fragrance of pasture rose found at the northeast kame. Next weekend, the clover will be at peak.
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: Ranked as “Go, if you’re in the neighborhood.” This intimate remnant prairie that’s nestled within a quiet neighborhood of Downers Grove, You’ll find orange butterfly milkweed, and the golden flowers of compass plant, yellow coneflower, and rosinweed.
Miller Woods (Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore) in Gary, Indiana: We’ve assessed the preserve to be “Go, if you’re in the neighborhood.” There are large quantities of ivory New Jersey tea and many other flowers. You may even find some prickly pear cactus as you hike towards the beach.
COMING SOON: MORE PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER
PHOTO SECTION
Somme Prairie Grove
The purple plant in this panorama is leadplant, which can search for water fifteen feet below the arid surface. Other drought-tolerant species seen here include prairie dropseed and wild quinine, in the front; and farther out, prairie dock, compass plant, and rattlesnake master.*
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
Butterfly milkweed (or butterfly weed) can bloom in several of Chicagoland’s prairies and savannas around this time, including Bluff Spring Fen, Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, and, here, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion.
The Dead River, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, is the only remaining river in Illinois that flows into Lake Michigan. The name comes either from deep pools of quicksand hidden along the banks that devour unsuspecting hikers or from water that remains still and barely flows. On this sapphire morning, the latter was true.*
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus at Sandy Preserves Around the Region
Blooms of eastern prickly pear cactus can be found in late June in sandy preserves around the Chicago area, like Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Miller Woods, Powderhorn Marsh & Prairie, and Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve.*
Purple Prairie Clover and It’s Remarkably Fresh Scent (see caption for details)
This flower emanates my favorite (nice) smell in Chicago nature with the fresh scent of carrots and lemon. Here, a bee flies over to purple prairie clover at Bluff Spring Fen Nature Preserve in Elgin, Illinois.*
Pasture Rose at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve & Bluff Spring Fen
The fragrance of pasture rose is transcendent—a spiritual experience. It blooms barely inches from the ground. During that time, whenever we’re together, I partake in a sacred ritual. I drop to my knees and bow in reverence, nose to petal. You can find this flower at preserves like Illinois Beach Nature Preserve and Bluff Spring Fen.*
Miraculous Spiderwort, with Flowers that Melt, are Still Blooming!
Spiderwort in the morning light at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove and at every savanna and prairie that we feature. A flower will open up in the morning and then melt in just a few hours. So, the morning is the time to see the flowers in bloom. Learn more here.
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
This is a view that is beginning to form at Bluff Spring Fen. There’s hardly a dull moment in Bluff Spring Fen’s prairie. Just as blooms of leadplant and coreopsis fade, purple prairie clover rises to take their place.*
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike
Best Chicago Nature Walks, Outdoor Getaways, News & Info – 06/28/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
June 28, 2018
“Plan your Chicago nature adventure with Chicago nature info and news
to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
Here’s what’s happening in Chicago nature:
Last week’s top 3 preserves still have very good blooms at Belmont Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, and Somme Prairie Grove. Actually throughout the summer, these places have non-stop shows of different wildflowers and plants. Pale purple coneflower may have just passed the peak at these preserves but is still good for visit. The show is turning to leadplant, prairie coreopsis, New Jersey tea, and all kinds of milkweeds. Joining the top group for this week is Miller Woods. According to last year’s record, the precious sand savanna can be covered with New Jersey tea right before July 4th time frame.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO NATURE TRIP THIS WEEKEND
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: If you followed our alert last week to visit this intimate remnant prairie that’s nestled within a quiet neighborhood of Downers Grove, I bet you were not disappointed. It is really a good experience of the beautiful symphony of color and texture. This week, the grand display of pale purple coneflower is still going on, but may have just passed peak. The blue bloom of scurfy pea is still at peak, blended with New Jersey tea, black-eyed Susan, and butterfly milkweed.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: Foxglove beardtongue and large shows of pale purple coneflower should have passed the peak. Taking the stage now should be leadplant in large coverage at the central prairie and kames. You should be able to find large quantities of purplish common milkweed and patches of orange butterfly weed. One of the kames at the center of the preserve should have some good quantity of yellow prairie coreopsis.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: There are so many different species of colorful flowers in bloom, right now. It’s like taking a fun course in biology. Various milkweeds, purplish common milkweed, orange butterfly weed, and purple milkweed, have just started to bloom. They will be awesome next week at this restored preserve. They are good food sources for butterfly and bees, so you can find lots of them over here. Other flowers that are also blooming here include leadplant, prairie sundrop, foxglove beardtongue, white wild indigo. Many of the special species are not in large coverage, but it is really fun to find them in the preserve.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie is a nice place to visit, this week, if you’re in the neighborhood, which happens to be pretty close to Bluff Spring Fen. This or next week, yellow prairie coreopsis may start to bloom in large coverage in the prairie. Just outside the fence, there is good display of pale purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan on the slope.
Miller Woods (Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore) in Gary, Indiana was not scouted this week. According to our record last year, this precious sand savanna should be covered with large quantities of white and tender New Jersey tea right before July 4th. If it happens again this year as nature tends to repeat every year, it will be fantastic.
COMING SOON: PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER
PHOTO SECTION
Somme Prairie Grove
The purple plant in this panorama is leadplant, which can search for water fifteen feet below the arid surface. Other drought-tolerant species seen here include prairie dropseed and wild quinine, in the front; and farther out, prairie dock, compass plant, and rattlesnake master.*
Belmont Prairie
Belmont prairie is special because it is home to an unusually high number of blooming wildflowers and fascinating plant species. During the month of June, this remnant prairie puts on a most impressive floral display: the celebration of the pale purple coneflower. Mixed amongst the coneflowers, the bright-colored grasses crisscrossing the center of the frame are porcupine grass. Its long spear-like seeds miraculously drill themselves into the earth in a counter-clockwise motion that you can actually watch.*
Miraculous Porcupine Grass and Its Spinning Seed!
The seeds of porcupine grass are long sharp needles that fall off the plant and slowly drill themselves into the soil. See my video here.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
Butterfly milkweed (or butterfly weed) can bloom in several of Chicagoland’s prairies and savannas around this time, including Bluff Spring Fen, Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, and, here, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion.
The Dead River, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, is the only remaining river in Illinois that flows into Lake Michigan. The name comes either from deep pools of quicksand hidden along the banks that devour unsuspecting hikers or from water that remains still and barely flows. On this sapphire morning, the latter was true.*
Pasture Rose at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve & Bluff Spring Fen
The fragrance of pasture rose is transcendent—a spiritual experience. Over several weeks in late spring, it blooms barely inches from the ground. During that time, whenever we’re together, I partake in a sacred ritual. I drop to my knees and bow in reverence, nose to petal.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
Behold! Morning in a Chicagoland prairie. This fine June day awakens to a magnificent panorama of pale purple coneflower, leadplant, and stiff coreopsis.*
At Bluff Spring Fen, in the golden light of morning, wild quinine, stiff coreopsis, and leadplant overlook the foggy fen from atop the reconstructed kame and the remnants of Healy Road Prairie, which was miraculously transplanted here from six miles down the road.*
Shoe Factory Road Prairie
Atop this hill prairie, deep-rooted leadplants combine with the happy yellow faces of coreopsis as they shine through the dissipating fog.*
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
SCOUTING NEEDS for my next report on Thursday, July 6 (in rough order of urgency):
- Somme Prairie Grove: Status of leadplant and other blooms, including rattlesnake master.
- Miller Woods: Status of New Jersey tea.
- Bluff Spring Fen: Status of leadplant, prairie coreopsis, pale purple coneflowers, and purple prairie clover.
- Shoe Factory Road Prairie: Status of prairie coreopsis, leadplant, purple prairie clover, and rattlesnake master.
- Illinois Beach Nature Preserve: Status of butterfly weed, etc.
- Powderhorn Prairie: Status including eastern prickly pear cactus.
- Belmont Prairie: Status of pale purple coneflower, scurfy pea, and butterfly weed
- Fermilab Prairie: General status.
- Wolf Road Prairie: General status.
- Middlefork Savanna: General status.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike, Zeke
Best Chicago Nature Walks, Outdoor Getaways, News & Info – 06/21/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
June 21, 2018
“Plan your Chicago nature adventure with Chicago nature info and news
to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
Please share the beauty presented here with you loved ones.
And don’t forget to start a conversation in the comments section of the blog post.
From April to September, there are non-stop shows at the best of Chicagoland nature preserves. If you have a chance to visit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at Chicago, in the permanent exhibition at the 2nd floor, you will find hundreds of years ago, Chicagoland was mostly covered by the beautiful prairie and woodland, which was mentioned in numerous books that were published hundreds of years ago. Now 99.9% of those beautiful lands were replaced by agricultural fields and cities. Many of the 0.1% that were left have been protected and restored by conscious volunteers and nature lovers so that we, our children, and our children’s children can see how beautiful Chicagoland nature looks like thousands of years ago. What we are trying to bring to you here is the weekly update on best places to visit from the good quality preserves. It does take some time and learning, and even luck, for someone to develop the connection with fine nature. I ensure you the journey is well worth it.
When visiting the preserves, please be conscious of all the precious and tender plants by staying on the trail. It took years of many volunteers’ effort to restore the area. We need to be respectful of their works and nature itself. Note that these good quality preserves are not like the typical parks. The trails are mostly narrow (most time just for one person to walk on) so that there is little human impact on the land. As you cannot avoid bugs outdoor in the tall grass in the summer, I recommend wearing long pant and socks or using insect repellent.
Here’s what’s happening in Chicago nature:
This week, the preserves with the best blooms are Belmont Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, and Somme Prairie Grove. The first two preserves offer impressive displays of pale purple coneflower among other fascinating blooms, while the latter has many plants in flowers. The miraculous species called spiderwort is still blooming, but you will only find them blooming in the morning. By the afternoon, the flowers will have melted into a purple liquid! Learn more here. The kooky grass of the week is porcupine grass. Its long needle-like seed drills itself into the soil at a speed that you can actually watch. See my blog post and video. And then there’s foxglove beardtongue. In fall, it’s seed smells exactly, and I mean “exactly,” like vomit! See my video below. Now, read on to learn where to find these three miracles of Chicago nature.
HIGHLIGHTS
Belmont Prairie is offering a dramatic show of pale purple coneflower, porcupine grass, and scurfy pea, and beautiful orange blossoms of butterfly weed.
Bluff Spring Fen is featuring pale purple coneflower, foxglove beardtongue, and the beginnings of common milkweed, leadplant and possibly butterfly weed, prairie coreopsis.
Somme Prairie Grove has many flowers in bloom, including tuberous (or prairie) Indian plantain, purple milkweed, prairie sundrop, white wild indigo, butterfly weed, and more. Leadplant is just starting and, next week, will be putting on a spectacular show.
Spears Woods used to offer displays of foxglove beardtongue throughout the prairies in the past years. We did not get a chance to scout the area this week. Please let us know what you find if you visit by leaving comments at the bottom of the blog post.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie has a good display of pale purple coneflower and spiderwort just outside the fence, leadplant is just starting to flower.
PLAN YOUR CHICAGO NATURE TRIP THIS WEEKEND
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: Experience the beautiful symphony of color and texture, this week, at this intimate remnant prairie that’s nestled within a quiet neighborhood of Downers Grove. There is a grand display of pale purple coneflower, and supported by a cast of scurfy pea, butterfly milkweed, and porcupine grass. Spiderwort is fading fast, but can still be found flowering in the during the morning hours. However, as the day warms, the flowers shrivel and turn to liquid.
Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: Your walk begins in the intimate oak savanna under the warm embrace and protection of majestic oaks. Soon, the trails emerge into the open prairie, where you’ll find foxglove beardtongue and large shows of pale purple coneflower. Porcupine grass can also be found here, as well as the milkweeds of orange butterfly weed and purplish common milkweed. As you walk deeper into the preserve, notice the grand emergence of leadplant on the southeast kame and possibly prairie coreopsis on the northeast kame. Next week, they will be fabulous!
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook: There are so many different species of colorful flowers in bloom, right now. It’s like taking a fun course in biology. One of my favorite prairie plants is tuberous (or prairie) Indian plantain, which you can find soon after walking in. Along the way, you’ll also find another lovely plant—the yellow prairie sundrop. Foxglove beardtongue can be found, especially in the northwest corner of the preserve. On your way there, you’ll see a smattering of other blooming flowers, like white wild indigo. Then, there’s leadplant, which is getting ready to bloom. There are many other special species in bloom. To name a few: meadow parsnip, thicket parsley, Downy phlox, Pale Spike Lobelia, Veined Pea, Gray dogwood. Most of of the species are not in large coverage, but it is really fun to find them in the preserve.
Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins: The show is on the east side of the preserve where there is a rare dolomite limestone prairie. Lovely pale purple coneflower can be found here.
Spears Woods in Willow Springs was not scouted this week. Foxglove beardtongue used to bloom across the prairies around this time. While you’re there, don’t forget to find your way to Hogwash Slough. Click here to visit the Spears Woods page to find the GPS coordinates for the prairie and the slough.
Shoe Factory Road Prairie is a nice place to visit, this week, if you’re in the neighborhood, which happens to be pretty close to Bluff Spring Fen. This week, there is not much going on within the preserve, but just outside the fence, there is good display of pale purple coneflower and spiderwort on the slope, leadplant and black-eyed Susan will join the show pretty soon.
Miller Woods (Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore) in Gary, Indiana was not scouted this week. We still need at least a dozen more volunteer scouts. Please help us scout.
Experience Porcupine Grass at these preserves: Belmont Prairie, the sand prairie at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Shoe Factory Road Prairie, Bluff Spring Fen, and Powderhorn Prairie.
COMING NEXT WEEK: Leadplant, Prairie Coreopsis, different kinds of Milkweeds
PHOTO SECTION
Pale Purple Coneflower & Foxglove Beardtongue
Watch this video from about this time a few years ago at Bluff Spring Fen:
In addition to experiencing the prairie as a whole, take a closer look and discover the many attractions that hide in plain sight. Here, within a scene of a thousand coneflowers, I attended a iniature, slow-motion rodeo that was taking place upon one prickly flower head. I watched as a tiny ant rode the back of a slinking inchworm.*
The predawn clouds take on the colors of the pale purple coneflowers at this dolomite limestone prairie at Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins, Illinois.*
In June, foxglove beardtongue blooms in profusion in many of Chicago’s prairies.*
Miraculous Spiderwort with Flowers that Melt!
Spiderwort in the morning light at Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove and at every savanna and prairie that we feature. A flower will open up in the morning and then melt in just a few hours. So, the morning is the time to see the flowers in bloom. Learn more here.
Miraculous Porcupine Grass and Its Spinning Seed!
The seeds of porcupine grass are long sharp needles that fall off the plant and slowly drill themselves into the soil. See my video here.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
Butterfly milkweed (or butterfly weed) can bloom in several of Chicagoland’s prairies and savannas around this time, including Bluff Spring Fen, Belmont Prairie, Somme Prairie Grove, and, here, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion.*
Near the Lake Michigan shore at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, the low light of morning revealed shapes in the sand that chronicled the secrets of time and affirmed the existence of wondrous creatures and invisible forces.*
A common snapping turle trudges through the sandy Lake Michigan shoreline on its way to the Dead River at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois.*
The Dead River, at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, is the only remaining river in Illinois that flows into Lake Michigan. The name comes either from deep pools of quicksand hidden along the banks that devour unsuspecting hikers or from water that remains still and barely flows. On this sapphire morning, the latter was true.*
Pasture Rose at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve & Bluff Spring Fen
The fragrance of pasture rose is transcendent—a spiritual experience. Over several weeks in late spring, it blooms barely inches from the ground. During that time, whenever we’re together, I partake in a sacred ritual. I drop to my knees and bow in reverence, nose to petal.*
Belmont Prairie
Belmont prairie is special because it is home to an unusually high number of blooming wildflowers and fascinating plant species. During the month of June, this remnant prairie puts on a most impressive floral display: the celebration of the pale purple coneflower. Mixed amongst the coneflowers, the bright-colored grasses crisscrossing the center of the frame are porcupine grass. Its long spear-like seeds miraculously drill themselves into the earth in a counter-clockwise motion that you can actually watch.*
Bluff Spring Fen
Soon after entering Bluff Spring Fen, you’ll find yourself in an intimate oak savanna, where majestic bur oaks with outstretched limbs protect you in their nurturing embrace.*
Pale purple coneflowers rise above the prairie at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
This year, foxglove beardtongue is not as prolific at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin. Their pearl blossoms catch the morning rays and a new day awakens—one as splendid and picturesque as any place on Earth.*
Spears Woods
The late-spring prairie at Spears Woods provides displays of foxglove beardtongue.*
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
SCOUTING NEEDS for my next report on Thursday, June 28 (in rough order of urgency):
- Bluff Spring Fen: Status of leadplant, prairie coreopsis, pale purple coneflowers, milkweed, foxglove beardtongue, etc.
- Shoe Factory Road Prairie: Status of prairie coreopsis and leadplant. This should be fantastic.
- Somme Prairie Grove: Status of butterfly milkweed, purple milkweed, leadplant and other blooms. This is going to be great.
- Illinois Beach Nature Preserve: Status of butterfly milkweed, etc.
- Belmont Prairie: Status of pale purple coneflower, scurfy pea, and butterfly weed
- Miller Woods: Status of hoary puccoon, phlox, and any other flowers that are coming in.
- Fermilab Prairie: General status.
- Wolf Road Prairie: General status.
- Middlefork Savanna: General status.
If you’d like to help your neighbors discover national-park quality natural events around our homes, then become an official scout. Or, you can help by just sending us pictures and a text description from your visit. Another way is to post your pictures to Instagram using these essential hashtags: #ChicagoNatureNow and #NameOfPreserve.
Do you find this website useful? Do you benefit from our many hours of weekly scouting? Then please help keep it going by donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book.
—Mike, Zeke
Best Chicago Nature Walks, Outdoor Getaways, News & Info – 06/14/2018
Chicago Nature Now! Alert
June 14, 2018
“Plan the best Chicago nature walks and outdoor getaways with Chicago nature news and info that helps you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Don’t miss one beautiful moment.
Click here to subscribe to received FREE nature alerts!
Please share the beauty presented here with you loved ones.
And don’t forget to start a conversation in the comments section of the blog post.
This week’s highlights to help you plan a Chicago outdoor adventure or nature walk this weekend:
Before I begin, one of my intrepid scouts, Zeke, will be taking over the blogging duties for the next two weeks while I’m on vacation. Please make Zeke feel welcome! I’m going to Rocky Mountain National Park which is home to 923 native plant species. That’s far fewer than the 1,706 species that live happily in the Chicago region. And, in terms of land area, the sum of Chicago’s protected natural areas is slightly larger in size. (Learn more here.) But I’ll have a good time, anyway!
The event of the week is taking place at Bluff Spring Fen, where pale purple coneflower and foxglove beardtongue are making a splash. The pale purple coneflowers are also looking good at Belmont Prairie, where they mix with blues of scurfy pea and spiderwort, and the texture of porcupine grass (the plant of the week). Spiderwort is another fun plant with blue or purple flowers that melt in the heat of day. So, get there before noon or you’ll miss it. See my story about spiderwort.
WHERE TO GO THIS WEEKEND FOR A CHICAGO OUTDOOR GETAWAY OR NATURE WALK:
Belmont Prairie in Downers Grove: A beautiful symphony of color and texture this week at this intimate remnant prairie nestled within a quiet neighborhood of Downers Grove. Playing the starring role is pale purple coneflower, and supported by a cast of scurfy pea, porcupine grass and spiderwort. Spiderwort blooms in large numbers during the morning hours. However, as the day warms, the flowers shrivel and turn to liquid.
Bluff Spring Fen is beginning a show of foxglove beardtongue and pale purple coneflower.
Fermilab Prairie in Batavia is recommended, but only if you visit in the morning. That’s because the flower of Ohio spiderwort has melted by the afternoon. You will also find nice displays of white wild indigo aside the big leaves of prairie dock and compass plant.
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion is always a great preserve to visit. Normally, the sand coreopsis is blooming like crazy, right now. But for some reason, it decided not to put on a show this year. Other plants that are flowering there are hairy puccoon, downy phlox, pasture rose, sandwort, spiderwort, and New Jersey tea.
Miller Woods was not scouted this week, but it’s always a great place with some nice blooms and long trails for a nice nature walk. And while you’re there, make your way to over to Tolleston Dunes and West Beach.
Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester is offering a nice display of spiderwort, but get there early before they melt.
Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook is rated as “Go, if you’re in the neighborhood.” It’s a peaceful place with many different flowers to experience.
PLANT OF THE WEEK: PORCUPINE GRASS
You can find this porcupine grass at Belmont Prairie, Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, Bluff Spring Fen, and Powderhorn Marsh & Prairie.
The seeds of porcupine grass are long sharp needles that fall off the plant and slowly drill themselves into the soil.
Watch this video to see porcupine grass drill itself into the soil as you watch!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PORCUPINE GRASS.
PHOTO SECTION
Pale Purple Coneflower & Foxglove Beardtongue
In addition to experiencing the prairie as a whole, take a closer look and discover the many attractions that hide in plain sight. Here, within a scene of a thousand coneflowers, I attended a iniature, slow-motion rodeo that was taking place upon one prickly flower head. I watched as a tiny ant rode the back of a slinking inchworm.*
Belmont prairie is special because it is home to an unusually high number of blooming wildflowers and fascinating plant species. During the month of June, this remnant prairie puts on a most impressive floral display: the celebration of the pale purple coneflower. Mixed amongst the coneflowers, the bright-colored grasses crisscrossing the center of the frame are porcupine grass. Its long spear-like seeds miraculously drill themselves into the earth in a counter-clockwise motion that you can actually watch.*
Pale purple coneflowers rise above the prairie at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
The predawn clouds take on the colors of the pale purple coneflowers at this dolomite limestone prairie at Theodore Stone Preserve in Hodgkins, Illinois.*
In June, foxglove beardtongue blooms in profusion at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois.*
Sand Coreopsis at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve
In a celebration of life, blooms of sand coreopsis spread with golden joy along the banks of the Dead River at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois.*
Pasture Rose at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve & Bluff Spring Fen
The fragrance of pasture rose is transcendent—a spiritual experience. Over several weeks in late spring, it blooms barely inches from the ground. During that time, whenever we’re together, I partake in a sacred ritual. I drop to my knees and bow in reverence, nose to petal.*
Spiderwort
Ohio spiderwort comes to life in the morning light, but soon fades to a liquid in the heat of the day. To see this remarkable plant in bloom, you must visit in the morning hours. If you show up late in the day, you’ll find buds with purple liquid inside. Read more about spiderwort by clicking here.
The Wonderfully Large Leaves of Compass Plant & Prairie Dock
These are the large leaves of the prairie’s most iconic plants. The heart-shaped leaf is that of prairie dock, and the long-lobed leaf is from a cousin called compass plant.
Deer Fawns
This is the time of year to spot deer fawns. I’ve already seen two. Just recently, I made this shot at Miller Woods Nature Preserve. This week, I saw a mother and her fawn at Fermilab Prairie.
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
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—Mike