Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 17:08.
Okay, I'm not going to wax poetic. I'm just going to list a couple.
**I have to say that I am in love with Starved Rock state park and Matthiesen state park in Illinois.
My first visit was a birthday gift from friends, and the canyons and waterfalls are amazing. These parks first opened up in about the 1920's, and in spots you can still find remnants of the old eye posts and guide wires that were used by hikers. The view from the top of one waterfall at Matthiesen took me to another world. One drawback -- a lot of tourists. Tourists that treat the place like their own personal landfill. @#$%! When are those people going to learn to use a trash bag?
**Next up -- the World Bird Sanctuary in St Louis. That was another birthday trip. Not exactly a wild place, but incredible nonetheless. They take care of sick and injured birds of prey, and are engaged in breeding programs designed to re-introduce these birds back into the wild. They also do educational programs, and have an animal hospital on-site. I was able to get some close-up pics of two of their American Bald Eagles, and got some shots of one of their vultures and a raven in flight. You want to see some real magic, that's the place.
**The Schulenberg Prairie at the Morton Arboretum in Naperville, IL. They are resurrecting a native prairie, with all kinds of plants like turkey foot, compass plant, prairie dock, and a lot more. This place is home to a number of birds and deer. Some of the old paths across the prairie are overgrown, but it is great to walk around out there. Local photographers and painters also love the place.
Favourite places
Okay, I'm not going to wax poetic. I'm just going to list a couple.
**I have to say that I am in love with Starved Rock state park and Matthiesen state park in Illinois.
My first visit was a birthday gift from friends, and the canyons and waterfalls are amazing. These parks first opened up in about the 1920's, and in spots you can still find remnants of the old eye posts and guide wires that were used by hikers. The view from the top of one waterfall at Matthiesen took me to another world. One drawback -- a lot of tourists. Tourists that treat the place like their own personal landfill. @#$%! When are those people going to learn to use a trash bag?
**Next up -- the World Bird Sanctuary in St Louis. That was another birthday trip. Not exactly a wild place, but incredible nonetheless. They take care of sick and injured birds of prey, and are engaged in breeding programs designed to re-introduce these birds back into the wild. They also do educational programs, and have an animal hospital on-site. I was able to get some close-up pics of two of their American Bald Eagles, and got some shots of one of their vultures and a raven in flight. You want to see some real magic, that's the place.
**The Schulenberg Prairie at the Morton Arboretum in Naperville, IL. They are resurrecting a native prairie, with all kinds of plants like turkey foot, compass plant, prairie dock, and a lot more. This place is home to a number of birds and deer. Some of the old paths across the prairie are overgrown, but it is great to walk around out there. Local photographers and painters also love the place.