Chicago Nature Now! Alert
September 2, 2016
Labor Day Edition
“Chicago nature info to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”
Here’s what’s happening in Chicago nature, right now!
September—The Season of Gold (and Much More)
In the first half of September, the prairies turn to gold with various species of goldenrod and sunflower-like plants. You’ll also find tower waves of red-stemmed grasses dancing in the prairie winds. And, right now, some prairies offer wonderful purple displays of rough blazing star. Here’s a short list of the many prairies you should try to visit:
- Wolf Road Prairie in Westchester, Illinois: Go to their annual Prairie Fest on Saturday, Sept. 3rd from 11 to 4. It’s a really nice event, which includes a birds of prey show and prairie tours. I’m going to lead a tour at 2:30.
- Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois: Click here for the location of the trailhead that goes west into the prairies.
- Theodore Stone Preserve: The mesic prairie on the west side of the preserve (near the main entrance) is tall with grasses and yellow flowers. However, it’s the east prairie where the magic is happening. There is a glorious little patch of rough blazing star, little bluestem, goldenrod, and a delicate, low grass—a scene that simply steals my heart. It’s a very special and delicate spot, so please stay on the trail.
- Lake in the Hills Fen: Visit to experience the fens and the great expanse of grasses and flowers, including purple rough blazing star. You’ll definitely feel like you’ve gotten away.
- Fermilab Prairie in Batavia, Illinois: This expansive prairie currently features towering tall grasses, prairie dock, compass plant. I measured one prairie dock plant along the trail to be ten-and-a-half feet tall!
- Kickapoo Prairie in Riverdale, Illinois: This is a very pretty prairie very close to the city limits of Chicago.
- Shoe Factory Road Prairie and the much lager prairie to the south and east: The hill prairie known as Shoe Factory Road Prairie is very small, but very much worth the visit to see the rough blazing star and goldenrods. The larger prairie is great for a long walk through the tall grasses and the golden flowers.
- Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: Visit to see the tall grasses and various yellow bloom, but also to see the great show of rough blazing star on the “switchback” kame in the north-central portion of the preserve. Use the glossary to learn about what a “kame” is.) Note: The trails are very narrow and overgrown, which makes it hard to always know which way to go. Just do your best. If you accidentally find yourself off trail, don’t blame yourself. Blame the land managers who aren’t doing their jobs.
- Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois: The preserve is lush with rough blazing star and western sunflower. This place is a wonder to behold even when nothing’s blooming!
Hummingbirds, Hummingbirds, Hummingbirds!
The hummingbirds are still around and should be for the next couple of weeks. 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, Ferns, Ferns Plus Canyon Tours!
Once again, Cowles Bog Trail, Miller Woods, and Hoosier Prairie (all in northwestern Indiana) are jumping with gymnastic ferns—in celebration of the 2016 Summer Olympics. If you’d like to experience a beautiful fern-lined canyon, call Sagawau Canyon in Lemont, Illinois and sign up for their next canyon tour.
See a Summer Sunset
Saganashkee Slough in Palos Hills, Illinois is 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
September—The Season of Gold (and Much More)
September at Wolf Road Prairie gives proof of nature’s comfort, as sawtooth sunflower and obedient plant tangle in a glorious embrace.*
Early September light strikes the tops of Indian grass, golden western sunflower, and rough blazing star in the sand prairie along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois.*
The dolomite prairie on the eastern side of Theodore Stone Preserve reminds me of a planned garden or springtime in the desert, where each plant is given its own space to grow. But instead of a separation of lifeless mulch or sand, here, rough blazing star and little bluestem are connected by a downy, green veil of mysterious grass.
Ferns, Ferns, Ferns Plus 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.*
Visit the Tallgrass Prairie
Big bluestem grass gives the true meaning to the term “tallgrass prairie.”*
Check Out the Summer Sunsets at Saganaskee Slough
On this sweltering, sultry afternoon, a golden sun sets over Saganashkee Slough in Palos Hills, Illinois.*
* Photo is representational and was not recorded this year. Bloom times vary from year to year.
If you find this website of Chicago nature information useful, please consider donating or purchasing my nationally-acclaimed book that celebrates all of the preserves featured on this website.
—Mike
