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Cap Sauers November 19, Black Partridge November 20, 2022

11/23/2022

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Cap Sauers Saturday November 19
This was probably the coldest morning of the season, a time to second-guess how much clothing is needed. It felt wintry at first, though quite fine at the work site, where we eventually had three fires. That, and ample chances to cut and drag voluminous amounts of brush, obviated any possible complaints of feeling chilled.

By the end of the morning volunteers effectively pushed brush back to the drainage that marked the margin between the brushy and more open tracts of land. Looking great!

Black Partridge Sunday November 20
The second cold morning became quite tolerable in a short time - we were in a sheltered spot and totally cozy once we got a fire going.  We almost broke through our brushy patch to its west side, an open area that once was pasture for the dairy farm in its previous incarnation.

We had one first-time Palos volunteer, Steward John Marlin's nephew Adam, and a return visit from last week's new kids, George and Janina. It seems like everyone brought their "A" game, and we cut and burned a lot.
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Willow Springs November 12, Hidden Pond November 13, 2022

11/17/2022

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Willow Springs Woods Saturday November 12
Volunteers returned to the preceding week's work site to have one more crack at multi-flora rose. Courage! It grows tangled with the honeysuckle and separating the two can be an epic struggle.

They were up to the task as they always are. Thorny plants like multi-flora rose and barberry make a strong case (along with flying embers) for wearing eye protection all the time.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday November 13
We cut honeysuckle on the west border of the prairie, first time there since January. We cleared a big patch, with an energetic group including first-time Palos volunteers Janina and George. Teri Radke from Forest Preserves Volunteer Resources led the activities, assisted by co-worker Emily Russell.

A chilly start gave way to a single hot fire and an impressive pile of hot embers by noon, given the size of the group and the absence of power tools on this day. Great job, everyone!
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Willow Springs November 5, McClaughrey Springs November  6, 2022

11/9/2022

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Saturday November 5, Willow Springs Woods
We cut brush on a windy, at tiems rainy day, unable to burn due to wind speed exceeding the allowed level on the burn permit. Joe picked a location away from any tall trees for volunteer safety. We cut a lot of honeysuckle and too much multiflora rose (everybody's NOT fave invasive) and stacked it for burning this weekend.

A storm front moved in shortly before quitting time, with some of our group getting to the parking lot just ahead of it, with others, (guess who) not making it and getting a quick soaking.

Saturday November 5, Nature Walk at Sagawau
A quick burst of rain around 9:30 am likely kept a few of our walkers at home, yet we still had a hardy group of six. And the rain stopped by the time we were ready to walk.

Big thanks to naturalist Laura at Sagawau, who was pressed into service at the last minute and shared some great insights on local plants and wildlife. Several evening grosbeaks (an uncommon bird around here, I'm told) chose that morning to pay a visit, bringing a goodly number of birders out. Love their passion! Some of us caught a quick look at the grosbeaks through borrowed binoculars.

We also saw water running through the waterfall - not too common in these droughty times - and a bur oak that is high on Laura's list of favorite trees. Pictured below.

Sunday November 6, McClaughrey Springs Woods
By Sunday morning winds had diminished somewhat, and we were back to our autumn norm, cutting and burning brush. We weren't far from Kean Avenue, on the east side of Mill Creek, clearing above its banks on a small rise. Just like the waterfall above, Mill Creek had a steady flow following rain over the preceding two days.

Our smallish group got a good piece of land cleared of honeysuckle on yet another lovely fall morning.
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McMahon October 29, McClaughrey Springs October 30, 2022

11/2/2022

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McMahon Woods & Fen October 29, 2022
Volunteers moved east for this day, to the 'sand dune' area. First order of business was cleaning up a lot of ground clutter, logs and brush cut on previous days when we weren't burning.  They continued with cutting and hauling more brush to the fire.

It was quite the productive day; thanks to all who helped, including first-time Palos volunteer Al.

Nature Walk at Swallow Cliff, Saturday October 29
This was another Trailblazer walk, led by volunteer Bruce who always keeps things interesting. He's been to all our national parks and shares insights from his travels in ways that relate to local nature. This time we walked the Yellow Trail east through McClaughrey Springs and Paddock before returning to the starting point at Forty Acres Woods.

McClaughrey Springs Woods Sunday October 30
This was another day of cutting brush, a mix of "creeping bittersweet vine and haunting honeysuckle" per Joy's FB account. She also shared a striking picture of a milkweed seed pod, seen below.


The work at McClaughrey is coming along nicely. During the nature walk Bruce recognized volunteer efforts along Mill Creek.
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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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