Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Lazy Days of Summer

burnidge pond pano

It’s been 3 weeks since I returned to my little rolling home on the prairie.  The gentle rhythmic hum of crickets and cicadas have replaced the harsh, sudden screeches of the Ring-necked Pheasants.  Life on the northern Illinois prairie in late July and August is more calm and laid back than the hectic start of the season in May.

In between my weekly radiation treatments, I’ve been staying at my 2 favorite forest preserve campgrounds (Burnidge and Big Rock on the outskirts of Chicago). No better place to heal and get reacquainted with the nature I have so missed these last few months.

The prairie grasses are now much, MUCH taller (taller than me in most places!).  Where there once was only knee-high green in May, is now a symphony of color-- yellows, whites, and purples. The “grand finale” of a near-perfect growing season that has neither been too hot nor too dry.  But, oh how “perfectly” the mosquitoes have grown too!

IMG_0554

Because the little buggers enjoy my skin so much (and I want to avoid the bug spray chemicals right now), I’ve been doing my daily walks in late morning or late afternoons when the swarms of blood-suckers are less apt to chase me!  Burnidge Forest Preserve has some really outstanding trails that give plenty of variety -- through hills and flats, forests and fields.

IMG_0423

There’s even a small grove of pine trees at Burnidge—a rare treat for us flat-landers missing the mountain pine air!

IMG_0428

There are a variety of yellow prairie plants in bloom at Burnidge in mid/late summer.  The drooping yellow coneflowers--

IMG_0541

A wide array of sunflowers--

IMG_0551

And the “big daddy” of them all, the Compass Plant--

IMG_0418 

The compass plant pokes up from the prairie like an 8-foot-tall periscope from the sea.  It’s lower leaves tend to always orient themselves north and south (to conserve moisture in dry, hot summers).  Early pioneers used to believe these leaves were as reliable as the needle of a compass for navigating vast treeless prairie ranges, and thus the name stuck!

Look closely, and you can also find some purple on the prairie too.  Like this Wild Bergamot--

IMG_0596

or these brilliant Blazing Stars--

IMG_0619

But perhaps the most exciting plant of all to see in abundance are the milkweed plants.  These are the critical “life blood” for the monarch butterfly, which needs a steady, reliable supply of these plants for it’s multi-year journey from the northern U.S. and Canada all the way down to central Mexico.

IMG_0538

I’ve not seen monarchs in the last few years (due to the lack of milkweed), so was thrilled to see them thriving at Burnidge!  Perhaps, we can indeed keep these beautiful creatures from disappearing!

IMG_0601

Whenever my 2-week limit is reached at Burnidge, I head down to the newer forest preserve campground at Big Rock.  There, the campground sits next to agricultural fields.  Tall fields of prairie plants, are replaced by Illinois’ most abundant tall crop—corn.  The tall stalks feel like skyscrapers when you stand right next to them!

IMG_0438

For variety, you can also walk next to a field of soy beans.  Certainly not as pretty as restored prairies, but at least a nice view of the sunset.

IMG_0450

With the wide-open views at Big Rock, it was the perfect place to also see July’s “Blue Moon” (the second full moon within the same month).  My iPhone pictures don’t do justice to how big it really looked as it first rose from the horizon!

IMG_0463

But it was quite a wonderful sight to see!

IMG_0477

The lack of a dry season has also given Illinois some fantastic sunset skies this summer.  The following are just quick shots from my iPhone!

A pretty pink farewell on the last night at my Big Rock campsite --

IMG_0536

And this absolutely incredible, non-stop explosion of color at Burnidge a few weeks ago

20081191502_15a4b492f1_o

IMG_0400

IMG_0407 IMG_0409

I loved the colors in the last shot so much, that I used the sky for the background image of a new website I’ve just launched.  Check out the WinnieViews Facebook page for a preview of that new project, and be prepared for lots and LOTS of purple to come in September!

9 comments:

  1. It looks like the perfect spot to look out for Perseid Wednesday night! I love the prairie flowers...We have corn fields around here and they are growing a hybrid type its short and looks different--

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful wild flowers! Crazy starry nights ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You found some amazing spots to be able to rest and heal and rejuvenate! Sounds like you are doing well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful pictures today. I love the sunset ones. I'm glad you are feeling up to posting. Hopefully the radiation will soon be behind you, as will the cancer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful to see you back in nature and your own home. Your photos are as wonderful as ever.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very beautiful pictures. I'm glad you seem to be feeling better. You're an inspiration to us all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love these pictures, especially of Burnridge, since we stayed there at your recommendation 2 years ago! Didn't have the time there to explore all the trails you show here; will have to do that another time. So glad you're in some favorite haunts as you continue your healing process with the additional treatments. Hope all that goes well and that you'll soon be back on the open road! Continued prayers and good thoughts coming your way for a full recovery!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a feast for the eyes. Our fields here in San Miguel of wildflowers are higher then I am as well. Your moon and sunset photos are breathtakingly beautiful.
    Glad to see you're out in nature which to me is so restorative.............
    Take care.

    ReplyDelete

Share Your Views!

Lynne's Camera Bag

Best RVing Stuff Under $50

Join Us On Facebook