Photo from dnr.metrokc.gov
What is it about wildlife that has us gaga over seeing it? Is it just the fact that we don’t get to see it that often? I doubt it because my brother lives on the edge of a wooded area and even after 5 years there his family still gets excited over the deer that wander into their back yard.
Is it only seeing the unusual wildlife or coming upon it unexpectedly? I don’t know, but I am certainly one of those that get excited over seeing wild animals in nature, where they belong. We just came across 4 deer grazing along the side of the road at the entrance to a forest preserve. They weren’t really afraid of us and only moved when we were almost upon them. Even then, they stood for a while on the side of the road before moving into the brush.
We got to see a lot of wildlife that cold, rainy day when most humans were inside. My husband even remarked what humans miss when they stay indoors on days like that. All the wildlife that normally shy away from man, come out unguarded. We saw a whole little island in the Des Plaines River full of white birds that we were not sure what they were, being too far away to know. I thought maybe sea gulls. There were too many to be Great Egrets, although we got to see one of those flying over the lake in search of food.
At one of the groves in the forest preserve we saw several small black ducks that I believe were American Coot’s as they walked different from the ducks I have seen before and they pattered across the water flapping their wings instead of taking flight from the river. There were also mallards out swimming in the I & M Canal. As we approached a section of the canal from the parking lot, we spied a Great Blue Heron taking flight down the canal. After we were ready to leave we saw another one walking gracefully along the side of the canal. I had never seen one on land before. I was thrilled. When we ride our bikes along the canal path they always fly away as soon as they see us.
Winding along the country road we had a muskrat cross the street almost right in front of us. My husband thought he had something wrong with his foot as he seemed to walk funny and crossed so slow. That was the first time either of us had ever seen a muskrat. In fact, I had to look it up in a book to see what it was, although my husband was pretty sure it was a muskrat before I looked it up.
We found a brand new forest preserve complex that wasn’t finished yet, the Kerry Sheridan Grove in McKinley Woods. It is so extravagant; it looks like a banquet hall or a lodge. The area is absolutely beautiful and we are definitely planning to come back again and again. This is where we saw the ducks and deer. Since the canal bike trail runs through this, we will be coming on bicycles next time. Who would have thought we would find such a splendid spot in Illinois?
So I guess I have always been a fan of wildlife viewing. Bird watching is a new hobby I have recently acquired. It is so cool to look out your window and see a pair of cardinals looking for food or a Northern Flicker pecking at the ground for bugs. We don’t live in an area that has a lot of colorful birds, so these are exciting. I know, you probably think I don’t get out much, but regardless, I’m hooked on wildlife.
By Corie Marks, Staff Writer