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McMahon October 24, Swallow Cliff October 25, 2020

10/29/2020

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 24
We returned to the prairie at McMahon for the fourth time this season, still dealing with pop-up patches of honeysuckle scattered here and there. Saturday was another gorgeous day, a great time to be on the prairie unless you're a honeysuckle.

We had two first-time Palos volunteers Saturday, Amy from the Illinois Master Naturalist program and Otoniel from Dominican U.  Great to have them and both did a terrific job. With Jim and Kevin swinging chainsaws and Doug on the brush-cutter we had plenty of firepower, and lots of dragging to get their victims to the fire. We also cut numerous strays with hand tools. It was a good, productive day.

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday October 25
We gladly welcomed two more first-time Palos volunteers on Sunday, John and Christy. John's logged time at other locations, while this was Christy's first time out. Otoniel was back to help on consecutive days, with the team rounded out by Joe, Jim, Kathy, and steward Jackie.

For so small a group we got an impressive area cleared in our three hour shift. Maybe it was the invigorating air of an autumn morning, or we're discovering new superpowers. We're breaking through to an area cleared in previous sessions to provide a clear path for future prescribed burns. We also uncovered a small ravine, running downhill from the trail, which I was not aware of previously. Clearing thickets of brush gives you a much better sense of the terrain.

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Weather Wipeout, October 17 & 18, 2020

10/19/2020

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No habitat restoration this weekend, with high winds and low humidity combining on Saturday to create a Red Flag Warning. We cannot burn under such conditions, and Margaret decided to cancel because doing other work, like seed collecting, might still place volunteers at risk in a windy woodland.

Sunday at Black Partridge it was rain, a particularly cold rain that began as a mere mist in the morning and fell throughout much of the afternoon. John made the right call; it was quite the nasty afternoon.

This weekend we're hoping for better luck. I got to a couple of my weekday sites, so the pictures below are mostly from Zoo Woods and Sundown Meadow.

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McMahon October 10; Hidden Pond & Cap Sauers Holding October 11, 2020

10/15/2020

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 10
This was our third time on the prairie at McMahon in recent weeks, going after honeysuckle in multiple locations. Though I missed this one, I know the drill well by now. Brush-cutter and chainsaw going after the thickest concentrations, volunteers with hand tools hitting the strays and dragging and burning all of it. They're active days, and you get to engage a variety of muscles.

Kevin was back on the chainsaw for us Saturday, definitely good news, and Doug was his indomitable self with the brush-cutter. Joe plans one more day, possibly October 24, to finish the job before the grasses and forbs dry out more and become a fire concern.


Hidden Pond Woods Sunday October 11
We cut buckthorn and honeysuckle along Kean Avenue, steps from the sidewalk, near an area we cleared just before the covid hit the fan. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Paul for his energetic help cutting brush and feeding the fire. We'll likely work our way north from this point next month on November 8.

Another beautiful warm day, we've become spoiled to these lately.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday October 11
Sunday afternoon was a change of pace, collecting seed at Cap with steward Bob Arentz. We were joined by another Palos rookie, Mike, and grateful for his help. Like Paul from the morning at Hidden Pond, Mike has volunteered at other sites around the county before coming to Palos. We hope both gentlemen grace us with another visit.

The preserves were bursting with color; with some trees still holding their leaves we're hoping for more of the same this weekend and next.

Click on any photo in the gallery below to enlarge it.

Maples at Cantigny, October 14
Close-up of same...
Cut log shaped by chainsaw, creative! Also at Cantigny, on our anniversary
I didn't see the bee in this pic, though they were swarming over these asters
Hidden Pond looking south along Kean Ave. from Woodland Drive
Looking NW to the prairie at Hidden Pond
Fungus heroically decomposing tree stump
More fungi at Cap Sauers
Cap Sauers, by wetland along Visitation Trail
Sag Quarries, October 13
Another picture at Sag Quarries
McClaughrey Springs near Mill Creek
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McMahon Woods October 3, McClaughrey Springs October 4, 2020

10/8/2020

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 3
Back to the McMahon Prairie for another shot at the clusters of honeysuckle that have popped up in several places, testament to the tenacity of this nuisance plant. Just like last time here, we had Jim with his chainsaw and Doug with the brush cutter slicing their way through the worst of the thicket, while the balance of the volunteers hand-cut and burned the evidence.

We were graced by the presence of two first-time Palos volunteers, Jimmy and Nikhil. A big Palos thank-you to these two gentlemen, and the rest of our team, for their efforts this morning. Great job all around!

McClaughrey Springs Woods Sunday October 4
Diana hosted a small group, removing honeysuckle, multi-flora, and other invasive plants near Mill Creek. They also burned a compost pile from spring garlic mustard removal.

Volunteers Mary and Joe helped with the fire and their effort was much appreciated. My camera crew must be in the darkroom as I'm still awaiting their photos.

In the photo gallery below, click on any photo to enlarge it, then use the arrows to scroll through all.

Brown-eyed Susan hanging on
More colors and sights of early autumn
Another honeysuckle island in the middle of the prairie
An hour later, much of it gone
Praying mantis took a liking to me, crawled on my pants leg before stepping down
Mary & Joe tending fire at McClaughrey Springs: photo by Kathy Bruch
Mill Creek at McClaughrey: photo by Kathy Bruch
This week's cloud photo
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Cap Sauers September 26, Swallow Cliff September 27, 2020

10/1/2020

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday September 26
We were a small, effective group at Cap Sauers Saturday, clearing brush in a pretty spot not far from Ford Road. Doug with the brushcutter, John with a chainsaw, the rest of us hand-cutting, dragging, and burning getting a respectable area cleared. This was despite the abundance of bittersweet vine tangling everything in our path.

With the two dry spells we've had this year, extra caution is needed with brush pile burns. The ground is dry and a lot of vegetation has already died back. Errant embers in these conditions can get you on the news for the wrong reason, so we take care to manage our brush piles accordingly.

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday September 27
We had a great group on a crazy-busy morning at Swallow Cliff South; at 9:00 all the parking spaces were filled. By 10:00 cars were parked up and down the sides of the driveway, on the grass, all over the place. Just the same, our stalwart volunteers found us and pitched in for a busy and productive morning clearing brush.

Oak Lawn Community H.S. was well-represented, with three grads (Piotr, Rafal, and Mary) and one senior, Patty. A huge thank-you to them, and to Mai and Myra, always welcome here in Palos. They all helped push through a wall of brush and connect to another area cleared many months ago. More progress like this will allow crews to push prescribed fire through.



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    Author

    I'm Jan Pietrzak with the Palos Restoration Project. This blog and website were created for your information and enjoyment.

    I hope you'll be encouraged and inspired to volunteer at any of the numerous forest preserves in our area.

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