BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND Today is the five-year anniversary of my blog, Nature in Chicagoland, and I'm so happy to have written nearly 200 articles about the woods, wetlands, grasslands, prairies, lakes and other waterways, and other natural areas that make up Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. I'm pleased that Nature … Continue reading Celebrating the Five-Year Anniversary of Nature in Chicagoland
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND I wrote many stories about nature destinations in 2020, but I also covered a lot of other topics that were near and dear to my heart including stories about my family (including saying goodbye to my third set of "grandparents"), surviving and thriving during the COVID-19 pandemic, … Continue reading The Most-Popular Non-Nature Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in 2020
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND A ghost horse emerging from the waters of a stagnant pond near the cemetery’s entrance. A phantom farm house that grows smaller and then gradually disappears if you approach it. A blue flashing light that races down the footpath to the cemetery at night and … Continue reading Visit Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery Not Only for Spooks and Scares, But Also For Its Rich Local History
A story about the migration of tens of thousands of sandhill cranes; you can view this great Midwestern migration for the next few weeks. A Chicago city park that features 154 acres of native marsh and wet prairie habitat, great birdwatching, and easy hiking trails Nearly 22 acres of restored woodlands, wetlands, and a pond … Continue reading The 7 Most-Popular Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in November 2020
A beautiful fall hiking destination with easy trails and diverse ecosystems A Nature Conservancy gem in Northern Indiana that features prairies, oak forests, and bison Ghost stories of Chicago’s southwest suburbs and my own ghost story Great destinations on Chicago’s South Side and in the Southland to check out this weekend and beyond Nearly 22 … Continue reading The 7 Most-Popular Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in September 2020
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND Looking for something to do this weekend and beyond? If so, check out these 20+ great places on Chicago’s South Side and in its south and southwest suburbs. I’ve also included Indiana Dunes National Park, one of our nation’s newest national park, and it’s just as beautiful … Continue reading 20+ Great Destinations on Chicago’s South Side and in the Southland to Check Out This Weekend and Beyond
40-foot limestone cliffs, a stream, beautiful waterfalls, and a fishing pond–all in a Chicago neighborhood Ghost stories of Chicago's southwest suburbs and my own ghost story Thoughts on hoarding, kindness, and COVID-19 12 wonderful, interesting, and fun things about my mom 75+ places to visit in the Chicagoland area and beyond Wild woods, local history, … Continue reading The 7 Most-Popular Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in March 2020
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND Today is the three-year anniversary of my blog, Nature in Chicagoland. In the last 1,095 days, I’ve published more than 120 articles about the great outdoors. I've covered everything from eagle watching and views of the mighty Mississippi River at Mississippi Palisades State Park; to remnants of … Continue reading Celebrating the Three-Year Anniversary of Nature in Chicagoland
Ghost stories of Chicago’s southwest suburbs and my own ghost story The wildest nature destination in Cook County The story of a 100-year-old home gobbled up by developers The only open-water quaking bog in Illinois 2,500 acres of rolling hills and towering cliffs above the confluence of the great Mississippi and Apple Rivers 8 places to … Continue reading THE 10 MOST-POPULAR STORIES AT NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND IN OCTOBER 2019
The story of a 100-year-old home gobbled up by developers Ghost stories of Chicago's southwest suburbs and my own ghost story Hawks and hills, sloughs and snakes, and buried nuclear waste, oh my! 8 places to see bison in Chicagoland and the Midwest A beautiful and tranquil nature center on Chicago’s Southwest Side Beautiful, secluded … Continue reading The 10 Most-Popular Stories at Nature in Chicagoland in September 2019
Nature in Chicagoland 