Burnapalooza in the Forest Preserves

Highland Park/Highwood, IL–This week’s birdapalooza continues, with red-headed woodpeckers hammering at trees, and hawks swooping and cartwheeling through the air.  Makes me want to sing “Free Bird“.  The only glitch is that it’s also time for controlled burns in Openlands Lakeshore Preserve and in the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.   Is it really my allergies kicking up, or is it just the leftover smoke and smell of burned leaves?  Even with the burned patches (all clear to walk through once the fires are gone), the walks are great.  Runners, walkers, and leashed dogs enjoy the scenery, the sounds of the birds, and the calm, blue waters of Lake Michigan.  Ah, spring.

Ludwig the poodle loves forest preserve walks. Photo by Laurie Borman