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The Indiana Dunes

@indiana-dunes.bsky.social
1.4K followers 466 following 380 posts

The best dunes. Found on Lake Michigan's south shore, home to state/nat’l parks, rad ecology & culture. Posting science, wildlife, history, and community tidbits. For official Indiana Dunes Tourism, follow @indianadunes.bsky.social

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Katie O'Reilly @drkatfish.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
NOAA's National Mussel Watch Program - which has used invasive zebra + quagga mussels to track contaminants in the #GreatLakes since 1992 - finds that PFAS are ubiquitous in the lakes, with mussels in Lake Michigan having the highest average PFAS concentrations www.bridgemi.com/michigan-env...
bridgemi.com
Study of invasive mussels finds PFAS is nearly everywhere in the Great Lakes | Bridge Michigan
A recent report that PFAS contamination is widespread in Great Lakes mussels give a clearer picture of where the chemicals are concentrated.
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Jennifer Davis @jmd5120.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
You can bring your bike on the South Shore Line and not ride a hundred miles to the Indiana Dunes and/or back, it's totally allowed
The I-65 underpass on the Oak Savannah Trail, which is as far as I got yesterday
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Jason Burbank @jasonburbank.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Got myself a Nikon Coolpix P950 for a trip overseas…tested it out this past weekend at Indiana Dunes National Park and captured this tree swallow from a ways away.
A picture of a tree swallow on a branch
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Rudy Garns @rudygarns.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Palm warbler at the Heron Rookery near Indiana Dunes. #birds
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Wandering Bird Crochet Co. 🐦 @wbirdcrochetco.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Road tripping and made a pit stop at Indiana Dunes National Park ❤️ love this little park and Lake Michigan! #nationalparkservice #indianadunes #Roadtrip #beach #greatlakes #travel
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parkgeek2021.bsky.social @parkgeek2021.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
NPS#129 : Indiana Dunes National Park. Trails, dunes, beaches, tons of wildflowers and a bevy of bird sightings are making our trip memorable. Oh, and Bark Ranger tags!
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Joseph S. Pete @nwi-jsp.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Indiana Dunes State Park opens gift shop www.nwitimes.com/news/local/a...
nwitimes.com
Indiana Dunes State Park opens gift shop
The Indiana Dunes State Park, one of Northwest Indiana's most visited tourist attractions, is getting into the retail business.
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Rudy Garns @rudygarns.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Least flycatcher at the Heron Rookery near Indiana Dunes #birds
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Jerry Weinberg @jbweinberg521.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Woohoo! It's Friday! Indiana Dunes, midwinter. Me using the frozen dune as a giant slide. The frozen sand was essentially one long piece of sandpaper, by the time I reached the bottom my pants were shredded! 😄 #indianadunes #naturephotography #nature #blueskyphotographers #photography #indiana
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Jerry Weinberg @jbweinberg521.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Indiana Dunes, midwinter. Pushed the ISO to add a bit of grain. I like how the lake blends into the dark cloudy sky. #Indiana #indianadunes #bnw #photography #nature #naturephotography #lakemichigan #photographersofbluesky #blueskyphotographers
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Rudy Garns @rudygarns.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Yellow-rumped warbler at the Heron Rookery at Indiana Dunes SP. #birds
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Joseph S. Pete @nwi-jsp.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
I built this shoddy birdhouse for my daughter at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival and now the birds have reported me to code enforcement.
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Jerry Weinberg @jbweinberg521.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Indiana Dunes, midwinter. The dunes in winter are frozen with the spray off Lake Michigan.Pushed the ISO to add grain. #Indianadunes #photography #b&wphotography #blueskyphotographers #photographersofbluesky #nature #naturephotography #sanddunes #indiana #lakemichigan
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Stosh Tuszynski @sto.sh · 20/05/2025
Chicago skyline post sunset from the Indiana Dunes. I think next time I'll come prepared with a second camera for photos during the sunset! #chicago #skyline #sunset
Chicago skyline post sunset from the Indiana Dunes
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Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder @wiscobirder.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Just got back from the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival—what an incredible experience! Grateful for the love during my Bird Joy talk, time with the Chicago BIPOC Birders, and finally meeting some Indiana Bird Nerds in the wild. #BirdJoy #WiscoBirder #WeOutHere 🗣️🐦🫶
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Rudy Garns @rudygarns.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
A mink by the river at the heron rookery near Indiana Dunes.
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The Times of Northwest Indiana @nwitimes.com · 19/05/2025
A record 970,000 Hoosiers are expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend, kicking off the busy summer travel season and bringing visitors back in droves to the Indiana Dunes.
nwitimes.com
Record number of Hoosiers expected to travel for Memorial Day
A record 970,000 Hoosiers are expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend, kicking off the busy summer travel season and bringing visitors back in droves to the Indiana Dunes.
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Stosh Tuszynski @sto.sh · 19/05/2025
Chicago skyline sunset from the Indiana Dunes. First attempt at capturing this. Only happens during two short windows of the year. I'm so happy the planning & weather worked out! Thanks to @victwav.bsky.social for the assistance in the cold and @cshimala.bsky.social for the inspiration/tips!
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Minerva & Sam @witheachmile.com · 19/05/2025
📍 Dune Succession Trail, Indiana Dunes National Park #hiking #sanddunes #sand #lakemichigan #indiana #explore #dunesuccessiontrail #midwesthiking #indianadunes #nationalparks#travel #nature #photography
Wooden staircase leads down through sandy dunes and sparse trees at Indiana Dunes National Park, with Lake Michigan and the distant Chicago skyline visible under a clear blue sky. The winding boardwalk blends into the natural landscape of rolling hills and greenery.
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Nature By Michelle @nature-by-michelle.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
The lupines at Indiana Dunes National Park are incredible this year. I had a limited time to visit but I think I made the most of it. It was a cloudy day, which disappointed me at first, but the lupines seem to glow even in flat light. 💙 #indianadunesnationalpark #lupines #photography #spring
Vivid blue lupines bloom along a sandy dune trail
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The Indiana Dunes @indiana-dunes.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Stewards of the environment, please comment on the UFSWS's proposed rule change to the Endangered Species Act before tomorrow: bit.ly/44KZOwM This rule change would remove damage to habitat from the definition of "harm" to endangered species. This is unacceptable: habitat loss = species loss.
Pitcher's Thistle (Cirsium pitcher) Photographed in Indiana Dunes National Park. This critically endangered species is endemic to the sand dune habitats of the Great Lakes. 

Photograph © susankirt, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) , https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/225249705
Two Bank Swallows (Riparia riparia) Photographed near West Beach in Indiana Dunes National Park. Their need for sandy banks often puts them in conflict with humans trampling on around beaches. 

Photograph © susankirt, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) , https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/225249705
Lesser Purple Fringed Orchid Platanthera psycodes
Photographed in Indiana Dunes National. This small, wetland-loving plant is imperiled in many states, and its range is contracting northward with climate change.

Photograph © Anna Braum, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC), https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/244396633
Elfin Skimmer Nannothemis bella
Photographed in Indiana Dunes National Park’s Pinhook Bog. The smallest dragonfly in the USA, this species cannot exist in habitats that are not bogs.

Photograph © Joe Girgente, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC), https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/219337213
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Lake Michigan @lakemichigan13.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
A tsunami up topside from a couple days ago 🌊🌊 (It is my water but in the gaseous state) www.mlive.com/news/2025/05...
mlive.com
Fog ‘tsunami’ rolls across Lake Michigan shoreline in lucky video capture
A timelapse video shows the huge, rolling wave of fog in South Haven.
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Sphinx @thesphinxden.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
@40doodles.bsky.social and I went to the Indiana Dunes today and it was amazing! Highly recommend this gorgeous beach and park. We climbed a very steep dune called the Devil's Slide.
A photo of the Indiana Dunes beach from the top of the Devil's Slide, which is a large and steep sand dune.
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Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder @wiscobirder.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Had a rough start to the day with some Joy Jackers, but my Bird Joy got refilled co-leading two BIPOC-only hikes with the Chicago BIPOC Birders at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. Birds, community, joy… and treats (they disappeared fast). We a whole VIBE! #BirdJoy #IndianaDunesBirdingFestival 🪶
A group of diverse birders smiling and posing together on a concrete walkway with green trees and a cloudy sky in the background at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival.Birders standing in a line along a grassy trail in a tallgrass prairie, all looking through binoculars and cameras under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.Dexter taking a selfie with a joyful group of birders behind him, all smiling and throwing up peace signs in the middle of a grassland trail during the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival.Birders standing in front of the “Reynolds Creek Habitat Restoration Project” sign, smiling and holding birding gear, with prairie grasses and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
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Joseph S. Pete @nwi-jsp.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
There are about 800 bird species in the United States. Nearly half of them live in or migrate through the Indiana Dunes.
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Kim M Burd @kimmiser.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
At the Indiana Dunes Birding Fest. At the Longshore tower, they counted over 1000 blue jays this morning!
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StoutGuy @stoutdude.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Taken on a hike this morning at Indiana Dunes State Park. #IndianaDunes #3DunesChallenge
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becca | they/them @beccagoesoutside.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Had two amazing evenings with moths at Indiana dunes birding festival. Here are some highlights...
Photo of azalea sphinxClose up photo of azalea sphinxPhoto of Abbott's sphinx Photo of Abbott's sphinx
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Dexter Patterson aka Wisco Birder @wiscobirder.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
What’s up, Indiana? Where are your favorite birding spots near the Dunes? It’s my first time at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. I need help from the Bird Nerd Homies. @indiana-dunes.bsky.social @indianaaudubon.bsky.social 🪶
A smiling man wearing a black “#birdjoy” hat, glasses, and a tan shirt featuring a colorful bird design takes a selfie in front of the Indiana Dunes National Park sign. The background includes green trees, and blue sky.
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Indiana Audubon @indianaaudubon.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Next up, Indiana Dunes Birding Festival!
media.tenor.com
a woman with a headband on her head is looking at a man with the words right below her
Alt: a woman with a headband on her head is looking at a man with the words right below her
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The Times of Northwest Indiana @nwitimes.com · 16/05/2025
Hundreds of birders from all over country are flocking to the Indiana Dunes Tourism Festival this weekend, celebrating Northwest Indiana's role as a migratory hotspot.
nwitimes.com
Birders flocking to Indiana Dunes for chance to spot rare migratory birds
Hundreds of birders from all over country are flocking to the Indiana Dunes Tourism Festival this weekend, celebrating Northwest Indiana's role as a migratory hotspot.
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Minerva & Sam @witheachmile.com · 16/05/2025
The cool breeze off #lakemichigan. Waves crashing along the sandy dunes of #indianadunesnationalpark. This is the view at the end of the Dune Succession Trail 🌊 On a clear day, you can even see Chicago’s skyline way off in the distance! #nationalparks #nature #photography #travel #hiking #explore
A sandy trail winds through tall beach grass and rolling dunes toward the shoreline at Indiana Dunes National Park, with gentle waves lapping against Lake Michigan under a clear blue sky. Footprints in the sand hint at recent visitors, while a small wooden post with a sign marks a protected area.
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Katie O'Reilly @drkatfish.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Following a pause on the construction of the invasive carp barrier at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam that's lasted since February, it now looks like things will be moving forward to help protect the #GreatLakes abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory...
abcnews.go.com
Trump administration promises Illinois it will pay to keep carp out of the Great Lakes
Illinois is getting set to close on property that officials want to buy to keep invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes
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Minerva & Sam @witheachmile.com · 15/05/2025
Quick weekend trip to #indianadunes! Met up with my parents, hiked with the pups & learned about Diana of the Dunes. Can’t believe we hadn’t heard of her before! 📷 West Beach with Lake Michigan stretching wide & Chicago in the distance. #hiking #indiana #nature #photography #travel #nationalparks
A person stands on a sandy path surrounded by dune plants at Indiana Dunes National Park, facing the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan. The beach curves into the distance with a cargo ship on the horizon and the faint outline of the Chicago skyline visible through the haze beneath a clear blue sky.
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blueasterstudio.bsky.social @blueasterstudio.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival's Migration Marketplace is open for business! If you're attending the festival, don't miss all the amazing vendors at the national park visitors center!
Blue Aster Studio art booth featuring displays of tote bags magnets, prints, stationery, buttons, and stickers Two rectangular Indiana Dunes magnets, one a beach scene and the other a plover
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Kim M Burd @kimmiser.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
I’m at the Indiana Dunes Birding Fest and look who’s in my swag bag! @rosemarymosco.com
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Rudy Garns @rudygarns.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Red headed woodpecker at Cowes Bog in Indiana Dunes. #birds
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blueasterstudio.bsky.social @blueasterstudio.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
We're back in NW Indiana! We're excited to be back at this year's Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. Find us in the big tent next to the national park visitors center, Thursday through Sunday!
A selection of prints: a blue jay holding an acorn and two original screen prints of a blue feather on an olive background and an acorn on a blue background.
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The Indiana Dunes @indiana-dunes.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Birding festival begins today! Come out and get your bird on!!!!
indunesbirdingfestival.com
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
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The Indiana Dunes @indiana-dunes.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
MEEEEE!!!!
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Kyle @forgotten.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Big thread on the Morse Code house. First off - to set the scene - this now demoed house was well known and well viewed - on one of the most traveled routes in the Indiana Dunes National park. Most locals knew about it, but didn't know much about the *why*, myself included. This got me curious. 1/7
The brightly-decorated facade of a one-story house with three windows, and a door. Geometric shapes are painted across the entire structure, and grass grows high around the entirety. Sunset-cast shadows of trees and plants dapple the extreme left of the building.
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Pauline in Space @paulineinspace.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Today, Indiana Dunes National Park Starry False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum) #Indiana #NorthwestIndiana #GreatLakes #HoosierTwitter #HoosierSky
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Melissa Yee 🍄🌿 @theboneforest.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Day 80 : Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana 🏝️ @dothe100dayproject • #the100dayproject #the100dayproject2025 #100daysofnationalparks #art #illustration #painting #watercolor #gouache #nationalparks #nature #landscape #earth #indianadunesnationalpark #indianadunes #indiana #dunes #water #lake #shore
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Katie O'Reilly @drkatfish.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Wetlands of Chicago's Calumet region, on the city's southeast side, have long faced degradation by surrounding industry. While lots of progress has been made in their restoration, there are still threats - namely climate change and the loss of wetland protections news.wttw.com/2025/05/09/s...
news.wttw.com
Step Into Chicago’s Swamps, Where a Shedd Researcher Has Found Surprising Biodiversity
Chicago was once a swamp. In some places, it still is. But will climate change undo wetland restoration efforts?
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blueasterstudio.bsky.social @blueasterstudio.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
ICYMI, we're on the road this week. Catch us at the Biggest Week in American Birding #bwiab until Tuesday evening. Then, we'll be at the Indiana Dunes Birding Fest Thursday through Sunday. If you're at either event this week, be sure to say hello! 🐡🎨🪶
An art print of a red tailed hawk perched on a fence post with a field, tree line, and rural road in the background.
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WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Officials are asking for help identifying the body of a person pulled from Lake Michigan along the Indiana Dunes shore over the weekend. to.wttw.com/4dficQy
to.wttw.com
Dead Body Pulled From Lake Michigan Near Indiana Dunes, Authorities Ask for Help With Identification
Officials are asking for help identifying the body of a person pulled from Lake Michigan along the Indiana Dunes shore over the weekend.
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JoCo @joco614.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Sunset over the city from the Indiana Dunes National Park. #Sunset #Nwi #Dunes
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StoutGuy @stoutdude.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
I was the only soul as far as the eye can see this morning on Lake Michigan. Gotta love it! #IndianaDunes #LakeMichigan
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StoutGuy @stoutdude.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Early morning hike at Indiana Dunes State Park #Photography #Landscape #IndianaDunes #Hiking
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