Paw Paw Woods Ecologist Walk, Saturday July 23
Kristin Pink led a large group on this walk, emphasizing the rich mix of native shrubs found at Paw Paw. What's most notable about Kristin? Her abundance of passion for her work and for the land she helps manage.
We saw a number of those shrubs, learned some ID tips, heard about the history of the site and land management practices, and got some hill climbing practice at the same time. One walker from outside Palos (a flat-lander) spoke a day or two later of muscle soreness from navigating the terrain.
Our walk was cut short due to nearby thunder and lightning, but we saw enough the whet the appetite for more. Paw Paw is a truly beautiful place and well worth the effort.
Black Partridge Woods Sunday July 24
We were quite the small group on this Sunday afternoon, pulling white sweet clover and snipping teasel near Bluff Road. We cleared the area where we began, near Goose Lake, then moved west to a pasture where we composted several bags of weeds.
We cut some teasel there, didn't even attempt to tackle the large infestation of melilotus (sweet clover). It was big and tall and insanely thick; we'd have needed forty people, maybe more, to clear that in the time we had left. So that will wait for another day, perhaps another strategy. Meanwhile, we got some good work done and saw numerous pollinators feasting on nectar plants in our work area.
Walkin' in the Rain
An hour after last Sunday's walk at Little Red Schoolhouse was canceled in a downpour, I made my way to Swallow Cliff. The rain was just a drizzle now (of course!) and the preserve was deserted.
Rain's aftermath is a fine time for plant photography; every surface glows with moisture and tiny droplets grace every picture. Simply beautiful!
Kristin Pink led a large group on this walk, emphasizing the rich mix of native shrubs found at Paw Paw. What's most notable about Kristin? Her abundance of passion for her work and for the land she helps manage.
We saw a number of those shrubs, learned some ID tips, heard about the history of the site and land management practices, and got some hill climbing practice at the same time. One walker from outside Palos (a flat-lander) spoke a day or two later of muscle soreness from navigating the terrain.
Our walk was cut short due to nearby thunder and lightning, but we saw enough the whet the appetite for more. Paw Paw is a truly beautiful place and well worth the effort.
Black Partridge Woods Sunday July 24
We were quite the small group on this Sunday afternoon, pulling white sweet clover and snipping teasel near Bluff Road. We cleared the area where we began, near Goose Lake, then moved west to a pasture where we composted several bags of weeds.
We cut some teasel there, didn't even attempt to tackle the large infestation of melilotus (sweet clover). It was big and tall and insanely thick; we'd have needed forty people, maybe more, to clear that in the time we had left. So that will wait for another day, perhaps another strategy. Meanwhile, we got some good work done and saw numerous pollinators feasting on nectar plants in our work area.
Walkin' in the Rain
An hour after last Sunday's walk at Little Red Schoolhouse was canceled in a downpour, I made my way to Swallow Cliff. The rain was just a drizzle now (of course!) and the preserve was deserted.
Rain's aftermath is a fine time for plant photography; every surface glows with moisture and tiny droplets grace every picture. Simply beautiful!
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