Willow Springs Woods Saturday March 16
Due to another commitment your roving reporter couldn't make this one, but others who were present say this: it was another round of catalpa toss, hoisting logs much larger than you'd normally pick up (catalpa being a very lightweight wood) and tossing them on the fire like you're some macho superman or woman.
Great fun, highly recommended in these pages. I did a round of it a month ago and also found the catalpa's quick burning property gratifying. Our return here allowed for further cleanup an area last worked under snow cover around Presidents Day.
Fun fact: The spelling “catalpa” is due to a transcription error on the part of the describing botanist making the first formal scientific description of the genus. Should be "catawba" chippewa.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/catalpa-a-showy-fast-growing-ornamental-tree/article_5d606d98-a8a2-11e0-8572-001cc4c002e0.html
Black Partridge Woods Sunday March 17
Like the preceding day, we returned to a site last worked in February to do additional cleanup and burning. This was a pretty area above the creek, a stone's throw from the western border of Black Partridge, which is also the border with Will County.
We were blessed with a super group on a lovely sunny March day, including first-time Palos volunteer Ethan. We were also way beyond fortunate that Bob Erck showed up with his chainsaw. John's was balky and Bob's saw was truly a force multiplier on the task we engaged.
Pat spotted a pileated woodpecker, came thisclose to getting a good picture. This was later in the afternoon, when the work ceased and we sat waiting for the fires to burn down. Beautiful day, beautiful place.
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