Another of our "big" Saturdays, thinning trees along and above a beautiful ravine in the upland part of McClaughrey. People outside our area may not know the stunning terrain we have here in Palos; I suspect many residents haven't seen it either.
Thinning trees and clearing brush in a woodland like this one, while done to enhance growing conditions for native flora, has the added benefit of improving sight lines across the preserve. Occasionally hikers will express their pleasure at passing through a managed area, where they see the nature around them rather than feeling hemmed in by a wall of brush.
Can't wait for a big snowfall to get the snowshoes out there. When the ground is frozen you can work along a ravine without doing harm, hence the winter workdays at these locations. With a deep snow cover you can also play.
We had an interesting interlude with a hanging limb - see pictures. Congrats to Dennis and John for getting it to the ground, safely, and eliminating a hazard to us or anyone else passing through. Creative problem-solving on their part.
We also cleared and burned a large mess of buckthorn, opening a nice-sized chunk of preserve right off 86th Avenue. Wednesdays at Paddock are going well - come out and take a look.