FALL at GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY and BELMONT PRAIRIE - MyShadowProductions #188

Howdy!!

I realize there is not much time between this Post and the Previous one but when there are photos to share, I tend to lose my patience :)

In retrospect, it seems that I visited and shared about many restored Prairies and Natural Areas this past year. I hope it hasn’t been too redundant, because I have enjoyed it and I have a renewed appreciation for the resilience and ever changing “life” of the prairie landscapes.

On Friday, October 25, 2024 I went to the Belmont Prairie in Belmont/Downers Grove, just 20 minutes from Aurora on the Metra.

The Belmont Prairie is a “remnant prairie” and the information on the following signs explains it in more detail:

On August 24, 1980 this piece of an original Illinois tall grass prairie was formally dedicated as a State of Illinois Nature Preserve. The dedication ceremony was presided over by Downers Grove Park District members, prairie managers Alfred and Margo Dupree, Illinois Nature Preserve Commission members, Belmont Prairie Preservation Association Board members,

county and village dignitaries and about 100 local citizens.

Identification and preservation of the Belmont Prairie are largely the result of efforts started back in 1973 by Al and Margo Dupree. After their walk through the prairie next to their house to take pictures, they shared those pictures of the prairie with their camera cub at the Morton Arboretum. It was soon realized this was a remnant of an historic Illinois tall grass prairie. Preserving this prairie became their mission. They traced the ownership of the land. Margo used an inheritance to buy one third of the prairie. The Nature Conservancy of Illinois purchased the rest of the prairie with the stipulation it be used as a nature preserve.

In November of 1973 Al and Margo helped form a group called the Belmont Prairie Preservation Association along with Dr. Robert Betz, Ray Schulenberg, Warren Dewait, Daniel Pike, Wayne Emerson, Helen Meister and John Taggert. With money they raised and a grant from the Illinois Department of Conservation the Downers Grove Park District was able to purchase the prairie in 1979 from the Nature Conservancy and the Duprees for $196,000.

Today Belmont Prairie, a part of the Downers Grove Park District, is a priceless remnant of an Illinois tall grass prairie now forever protected for future generations as a State of Illinois Nature Preserve.

Belmont Prairie was just a field where the neighborhood kids played until it was "discovered" in the 1970s.

A nearby neighbor turned in a photography assignment that caused his instructors to ask where he took the shots. Botanists and ecological experts found a 10 acre remnant prairie supporting more than 300 plant species from the familiar Purple Coneflower to the Illinois threatened White Lady's Slipper Orchid.

In 1979, Belmont Prairie became the first Illinois Nature Preserve in DuPage County, the 75th in the state.

Since then, the Downers Grove Park District has cared for the prairie and added an additional 15 acres to the south and west as a buffer to this fragile ecosystem. Volunteer stewards assist in the restoration work including brush clearing and seed collection and sowing.

Prairie Plants

Prairie plants are mainly perennials with extensive, deep root systems and growing points slightly below ground level. These plants can survive occasional drought, grazing, and necessary burning.

Prairie roots often extend deeper into the ground than the stems that rise above it. Some plants' roots die and decompose each year, and this process has added large quantities of organic matter to the soil. Growing tips lie just below the soil surface so that they are not scorched by fire or nibbled by grazers.

Click Here for a Video created from my photos.

Another “subject” that I have shared a lot about is Garfield Park Conservatory and in keeping with tradition, I am going to feature it again :)

Fall kind of hid in the background for a while as Summer/Indian Summer seemed to continue bringing beautiful days. Then, fall appeared almost over night and GPC offered a new “riot of colors” for me to enjoy and share in photos.

CLICK HERE for my Video of Fall at Garfield Park Conservatory.

Winter is here, first snow today on November 21 :) Still coming down hours after the photo.

And, guess what, there will be more “plants and colors” to share when the plants in the following photos are incorporated as part of the Holidays Show in the Show House @ GPC :)

On Tuesday this week, while walking along the Fox River Trail, I saw two fast running animals in the distance and they disappeared into some woods. As I got closer on the Trail, one of the animals came back in view and ran past me. It was a coyote, I wasn’t quite sure what to do but I just stood still and fumbled for my phone/camera to get a photo:

I also saw this Cooper’s Hawk along the Trail a few weeks ago:

I added the photos to my album of “Wildlife Along the Fox River”; Great Blue Herons, Geese, Ducks, Gulls, Muskrat, Turtles, Opposum, Great White Egrets, Cormorants, White Herons, Hawks, Fish, Signs of Beavers (gnawed trees), Snake, Rabbits, Squirrels and now a Coyote :)

Ok, now a little news, my next Post will be from some warmer territory and a change of scenery for more Photos and Videos and maybe a little “humor”. Here are the forecasted temperatures:

Until Next Time, Have A Great Day !! 

ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK - NORTH DUNES NATURE PRESERVE & Garfield Park - MyShadowProductions #187

Hi everyone, how are you? 

My go to answer to that question is “Better than I think I am” :)

Before I share about my day trip to Illinois Beach State Park, I want to pass along some photos and a Video of what Fall looks like in Garfield Park (the actual park, not the neighborhood or Conservatory) One of the “Flight of Butterflies” is there too. The Park includes a rather grand Gold Domed Fieldhouse complete with a basketball gym and an outdoor swimming pool.

Garfield Park Fieldhouse

The Garfield Park Fieldhouse, constructed in 1928 as the West Park Commission administrative headquarters, is one of the most lavish buildings on Chicago’s west side. Designed by architects Michaelsen & Rognstad this "Gold Dome Building" has a 23 carat gilded dome. The building's Spanish Revival style was inspired by a 1915 exposition in San Diego's Baiboa Park, which influenced design throughout the nation. fieldhouse's ornate facade includes a sculptural figure of Robert Cavalier de LaStille,

explorer of the Upper Midwest. The interior rotúnda also has impressive details, including marble panels by the renowned sculptor, Richard W. Bock.

The West Park staff, which had operated out of small Union Park offices since the 1880's, was suffering from a space shortage by the 1920's. A major 1927 bond issue funded the construction of this flamboyant Garfield Park building for offices, a police department, and  public functions including a restaurant and skater's room. After the 1934 consolidation of the independent park commissions into the Chicago Park District, the administrative headquarters became Garfield Park's Fieldhouse. In response to increased recreation needs, a gymnasium and outdoor swimming pool were constructed on the west side of the building in 1983.

Part of a GPC volunteer shift (they spell last name with a c)

                                      View from the Green Line platform nearby

CLICK HERE for a Video created from my photos.

On Friday, October 18, 2024 I made a Day Trip to Illinois Beach State Park which is along Lake Michigan and nearly extends to the Wisconsin State Line.

I started at the North Dunes Nature Preserve because it was the most accessible from a Metra Train Station, in this case, the Winthrop Harbor stop on Metra’s Union Pacific North route. From there it was an easy 20 minute walk to the North Point Marina and then Lake Michigan and the North Dunes Nature Preserve Trails and Beach.

The weather was great and not a surprise, it was Windy :)

The area in general was similar to Fort Sheridan (previous blog post) with Dunes replacing the Ravines, restored natural areas and with the constant presence of Lake Michigan with its waves, colors, sands, pebbles, driftwood, stones, occasional birds, lone sail boats (how do they do that out on the Lake?), etc. Even on what I think was a pretty common day along the shore, it seems that the Lake is relentless in attacking the shore in spots despite the obvious attempts by humans to “control” it. I can only imagine what the views would be during a storm, winter or summer. That is on my list of things to do/see but time will tell :)

I created two Videos from my photos, hope you enjoy them:

VIDEO #1 and VIDEO #2

I didn’t quite make it as far South in the Park as the Illinois Beach State Park Hotel or the South Beach area, but will make that section on another trip.

Also, did you notice that I snuck in some “Beach Art”? I plan on making a habit of it every time I visit a Beach :)

Well, if you have read this far, it is your lucky day, I have a recipe idea for you :)

Mediterranean Chickpea (Garbanzo beans) Salad

One can Chickpeas (drained & rinsed), diced cucumber, diced onion (red is best but I only had yellow), diced tomatoes, diced olives, diced radishes (red, white & purple), chopped parsley, crumbled Feta cheese, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, red wine vinegar, little bit of mustard, lime juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper. If meat is ok in your diet, add Italian sausage or bacon or gyro meat?

I didn’t measure anything, just added amounts that complimented the Chickpeas.

Hope you try it, of course you are free to substitute to your taste, Bon Appetit/Buen Provecho/Buon Appetito :)

Enjoy the Full Moon ☆ !!