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Chicago Nature Now! Alert
October 21, 2016

“Chicago nature info and news to help you discover the region’s finest natural wonders.”

 

Here’s what’s happening in Chicago nature, right now!

 

Enjoy the Fall Colors: The Prairies Are Colorful. The Woodlands Are In Various States.

We’re now four weeks into autumn and the transition of tree color is moving very slowly. While the prairies are donning their fall colors, the tree foliage is either still green, transforming into a faded hue, or turning brown and dropping off. It all depends on the preserve. Just get out there in the fresh autumn air and enjoy yourself. The prairies are the first habitats to display autumn color in the foliage. It is a beautiful mosaic of colors and textures. In one small patch of prairie, it’s common to see more color than any autumn woodland in the region: oranges, golds, reds, maroons, cyans, browns, and tans. Visit the prairie to experience towering waves of red-stemmed grasses and tawny, fluffy spikes of gayfeather that glow in the sunlight. Here’s a list of prairies (and savannas) that are looking really nice and that you can visit throughout the fall season:Prairies to visit this fall:

Woodlands to visit this fall:

  • Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois: The savanna takes up the majority of this preserve. You can spend all day exploring.
  • Spears Woods in Willow Springs, Illinois: Lots of great hiking and color through beautiful woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. Spears is one of my favorite autumn spots.
  • Somme Prairie Grove in Northbrook, Illinois: It’s worth the visit for its savanna and woodland habitats.
  • Black Partridge Woods in Lemont, Illinois: This is a magic place with steep bluffs, a beautiful stream, and where maples scream gold.
  • Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien, Illinois: This vast preserve is a very popular spot for hikers, bikers, and fall-color chasers. It’s beautiful, but there are a lot of people.
  • Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve in Monee, Illinois: Like Black Partridge Woods, this is a wonderful woodland where maples turn to gold.
  • Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve in Schererville, Indiana: The name refers to the large expanse of mostly inaccessible prairie across the street from the parking lot.
  • Messenger Woods in Lockport, Illinois: A beautiful maple forest with nice color.
  • Pilcher Park in Joliet, Illinois: The color here can be great, but keep in mind that it’s a popular preserve.
  • Sagawau Canyon: You can sign up for a tour of the canyon, but you can go anytime to walk the trails in the preserve around the canyon.
  • Pembroke Savanna in Hopkins Park, Illinos: This is the finest example of black oak savanna anywhere in the world. For fall color, black oaks can be a bit understated, but there is a wealth of color in the understory.
  • Miller Woods in Gary, Indiana: This is a big, beautiful preserve that features black oak savanna and a rich understory.
  • Cowles Bog Trail at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: The colors of this black oak (or sand) savanna is a great experience.
  • Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: The oak savanna at the entrance is a gem. It’s small, but very inviting and intimate. And, you also can also hike the trail through the prairie and fen.

PHOTO SECTION

Fall Colors to Look Forward to:

At Spears Woods, with the warm evening light falling on this October prairie, the tubular tops of blazing star burned with a golden glow; but not two months earlier, they blazed with purple passion. Autumn transformed the cylindrical inflorescence of hundreds of feathery purple flowers into a column of invisible seeds—invisible because what we see is not the seed but the achene, a dry fruit with a single seed hidden inside. On this plant, also known as gayfeather, each achene, by design, forms a downy tan plume that takes to the air to be scattered by the wind.

At Spears Woods, with the warm evening light falling on this October prairie, the tubular tops of blazing star burned with a golden glow; but not two months earlier, they blazed with purple passion. Autumn transformed the cylindrical inflorescence of hundreds of feathery purple flowers into a column of invisible seeds—invisible because what we see is not the seed but the achene, a dry fruit with a single seed hidden inside. On this plant, also known as gayfeather, each achene, by design, forms a downy tan plume that takes to the air to be scattered by the wind.*

 

In the fall at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, don’t just stare up at the trees. Look down. There’s a bounty of color at your feet. Here, a black oak leaf landed amidst a bed of pasture rose with leaves more vibrant than any tree in this savanna.

In the fall at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve, don’t just stare up at the trees. Look down. There’s a bounty of color at your feet. Here, a black oak leaf landed amidst a bed of pasture rose with leaves more vibrant than any tree in this savanna.*

 

In the fall at Black Partridge Woods, I head to the high vantage point of these bluffs to immerse myself in the intoxicating colors and textures of the tiered foliage. Down below, the creek bed is dry. But when the flow returns, fallen leaves will ride the colorful currents that reflect the radiant dome.

In the fall at Black Partridge Woods, I head to the high vantage point of these bluffs to immerse myself in the intoxicating colors and textures of the tiered foliage. Down below, the creek bed is dry. But when the flow returns, fallen leaves will ride the colorful currents that reflect the radiant dome.*

 

Compared to the golden maples of autumn, oaks can be a bit understated. Here, at Bluff Spring Fen, this bur oak, when placed in the spotlight, certainly puts on a show.

Compared to the golden maples of autumn, oaks can be a bit understated. Here at Bluff Spring Fen, this bur oak, when placed in the spotlight, certainly puts on a show.*

 

As you hike the boardwalk and the narrow sections of the Cowles Bog Trail, you may find yourself glancing down to watch your step. But in the fall, remember to raise your eyes to view the scenery in the skies.

As you hike the boardwalk and the narrow sections of the Cowles Bog Trail, you may find yourself glancing down to watch your step. But in the fall, remember to raise your eyes to view the scenery in the skies.*

* 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

 

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