For me, Severson Dells Forest Preserve has always been a place that I enjoyed visiting. It is up near my home in northern Illinois and has a very unique set of ecosystems that can be explored, not to mention the wide variety of organisms you can find there. As far as a park goes, it is a little on the small side, but well worth the trip and the look around. Just be sure to bring bug spray if you visit in the spring or summer!
One of my favorite places to visit when I'm there is the little pond/marshland. Usually a good area for turtles, dragonflies, and butterflies, along with the occasional bird and cussing squirrel. It's a good place to contemplate simple things and there are even a couple benches that you can sit on along with a small deck to walk out on to see a little more (though I think the deck is more for the dragonflies since they seem to love sitting and sunning on it). I have spent many hours sitting on the benches or the small deck, watching the life of the pond and mulling over many thoughts and trying to get good pictures.
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| One of my best pictures |
There is a short trail that goes throughout the preserve and it's always a joy to walk because of the different ecosystems you can go through or be near. This multitude of different habitats means you can see a ton of different species of birds, bugs, and mammals. A huge benefit for most people is that the trails are very easy to hike because they aren't very long. The entire preserve has about three miles of trails total.
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| A White-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) |
You truly never know what you will see there, which is what makes it so exciting. And it's always so peaceful because there generally aren't many people there even though it's right beside a well traveled road. This encourages the wildlife to emerge, especially during the spring and summer months. I wish I would have been able to visit there this fall, but being as far away as I am and not returning home often makes it difficult. Hopefully the weather will be nice over fall break and I can visit.
Don't always look for the biggest parks or natural areas you can to find natures beauty. It can be easily found in a small preserve such as Severson Dells.
Enjoy the change in season,
Bug
