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McMahon December 24, Swallow Cliff December 26, 2021

12/29/2021

McMahon Woods & Fen Friday December 24
Our Christmas Eve special was really fun, if you call wrestling with vines bigger than your arms fun. Yes it was, and we made great headway clipping those vines.

We had about a dozen volunteers, including Palos first-timers Nataka, Nina, and Lise. Joy started two fires, and while one group of volunteers hauled brush and loaded the fire near where the power tools were working (we had a chainsaw and brush-cutter at that end), the rest of our crew cleared another big chunk of terrain working exclusively with loppers and bow-saws.

Swallow Cliff Woods Sunday December 26
I arrived at 8:45 Sunday morning to a solitary car in the South lot. Minutes later our volunteers began pulling in - we had 16 in all - and we were off for a brief walk to our work site.

This was another super day, with 16 volunteers working on a slope just above the section we cleared last month. We had to delay starting a fire until 10:00 due to low wind and still managed to burn everything we cut by noon. We basically finished this area, cutting and dragging brush from the bottom of the hill to the north and from both sides up above.

Thanks to first-time Palos volunteers Jeff and Landon, to Doug Chien and Michelle whom I hadn't seen in such a long time, to Bob E and Jim C who brought their chainsaws, and to the rest of our dedicated group.

Long Time Coming
I had the good fortune of being at Swallow Cliff Tuesday morning when the first snowflakes fell, and the doubly good fortune of being able to hang out a couple hours and take it all in. For this lifelong snow nerd it was a beautiful morning.

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McMahon December 18, Black Partridge December 19, 2021

12/23/2021

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday December 18
We had two fires, two chainsaws, one brush-cutter, and loads of bittersweet vine tangling everything into inseparable clumps. While it remains a tough slog, we are definitely making progress in there, and will notch another increment on Christmas Eve when we return, again.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday December 19
Way back in March we cut stacks and stacks of honeysuckle on a day too dry for brush pile burning. Sunday was our return engagement, and we not only managed to burn all that was previously cut, we also cut and burned more, all with a relatively small but very dedicated group of volunteers.Thank you to first-time Palos volunteers Nancy and Silas for joining us!

By the time our fire burned down we were at sunset, and the heat from the pile of embers was needed to stay warm. A nice way to wrap the year's efforts at Black Partridge.

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McMahon December 11, Hidden Pond December 12, 2021

12/16/2021

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday December 11
We awoke Saturday morning to forecasts of high winds and legitimate concern about burning on such a day. It turned out quite well; the "wall of brush" we've been tangling with (literally) made a great wind screen and we did fine, with no concerns about the brushpile fire getting out of hand.

With two brush-cutters and two chainsaws going we got another big chunk cleared out, and will return this Saturday for our last foray of 2021 into this terrible mess. Oh yeah!

Invasion of the Nature Snatchers, Saturday December 11
This stewardship festival was hosted by Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) and Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC). They had a wide range of information on stewardship and invasive plants, food, a buckthorn table that was raffled off, and hikes led by FPCC ecologist Kristin Pink.

I love listening to Kristin speak about local nature because she has such a passion for it. I also learn something new and interesting each time. A big shout-out to all the volunteers, from FPCC, U of I Extension, FOTFP, Morton Arboretum, and others, who stood on an exposed hilltop for three hours, in a brisk cold wind, putting on this event.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday December 12
Sunday was another terrific day at Hidden Pond, with a terrific group of volunteers. Twelve strong, they included Palos first-timers Justin and Mike (boyfriend and brother, respectively, of Mary from Oak Lawn) and almost first-timer Luke, brought by his father, Tom.

In early 2020 we began clearing a large patch of honeysuckle along Kean Avenue, work that stretched out due to two Covid interruptions and multiple weather problems. Sunday we finally eliminated that patch, from Woodland Drive moving north toward Christina. Now, steward Mary Busch is hoping for a prescribed burn through the cleared area to jump-start what native seed bed remains.

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Cap Sauers December 4, McClaughrey Springs December 5, 2021

12/9/2021

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday December 4
I wasn't able to attend, learned that Margaret continued to cut brush in an area where' she's worked the past couple months. We had several students helping, first-time Palos volunteers whose names I was unable to obtain. Thanks, students! We appreciate you! There's a couple pictures below, taken by Doug Bosco.

McClaughrey Springs Woods Sunday December 5
Sunday was another day with a nasty forecast, rain likely in the morn and getting worse as the day regressed. No rain when I left the house; five minutes later, upon arrival at the site, it had already begun. dang!

We sat in our cars a few minutes then decided to give it a shot. Diana picked a spot close to shelter, and we began gathering dry sticks to start a fire. Joy got it burning in next to no time, and the rain chose to subside throughout out three-hour stint, only picking up in intensity at quitting time.

It was quite the pleasant surprise and left us feeling we just got away with something. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Brent, and to Joe C, Diana, and Joy for a most productive morning under shaky conditions.

Visitation Prairie via the Esker Trail
I wanted to check the prescribed burn at Visitation Prairie in Cap Sauers, so one afternoon I walked the esker trail just before sunset. It was beautiful, winding sinuously through the preserve until reaching my destination.

They got a good burn and the growth that was head-high and a struggle to pass through a couple months back was now reduced to ash and a stubble. THAT will jumpstart next spring's growing season in a good way.

The only time the esker trail is prettier than fall, with its reds and browns, is under a winter snow, when the contours of the glacial terrain are immediately and starkly visible. Like MacArthur, I shall return.

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McMahon November 27, Swallow Cliff November 28, 2021

12/2/2021

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday November 27
Back to the infamous wall at McMahon, which IS getting pushed back, slowly but surely, with the application of much sweat equity. We had another good group and despite a late start due to a truck dumping some sort of sludge on LaGrange Road and snarling traffic.

Later this season there's some brush-mowing planned for this segment, and I believe a touch of tree thinning as well. It ought to look much better once all that work gets done. Thanks to everyone who has participated in these slogs. :-) X

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday November 28
We had a small, hardy group on a crisp Sunday morning; surprisingly, when I arrived at 8:30 am the parking lot at the South Woods only had two or three cars in it. That is rare for Swallow Cliff on a dry day, whatever the season. Newly certified brush pile burn boss Joy managed the fire, and we also had first-time visitor Sydney, from Friends of the Forest Preserves, among our numbers.

We continued to cut and burn honeysuckle on the slope just past the first trail junction, and with any luck should knock out most of the remaining invasives with one more session. We've gotten a lot done there thanks to the matchless energy of our volunteers!

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McMahon December 24, Swallow Cliff December 26, 2021

McMahon December 18, Black Partridge December 19, 2021

McMahon December 11, Hidden Pond December 12, 2021

Cap Sauers December 4, McClaughrey Springs December 5, 2021

McMahon November 27, Swallow Cliff November 28, 2021

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