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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 14h

I love it when something ugly and industrial is returned to a beautiful natural state. What is now Marian R. Byrnes Natural Area (2200 E. 103rd Street, Chicago 60633) was once an industrial eyesore. But no more. Check out my article to learn more. #hikingchicago #birdingchicago #chicago

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Marian R. Byrnes Natural Area Provides Great Birdwatching, Biking, and Hiking in Chicago - Nature in Chicagoland

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG (FOUNDED IN 2017) AND BOOK

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

17 seconds of nature bliss at Marian R. Byrnes Natural Area. It's hard to believe that this site is located in Chicago but the southeast side of the city has several restored nature areas such as this. I'll be publishing my article about this Jeffery Manor gem tomorrow. #hiddengems #chicago #birding

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Had a great time last night seeing Elizabeth Moen at FitzGerald’s with some great friends. She's an amazing singer, and her band and guest musicians (including Reilly Downes) were fantastic. The only drawback: 10 percent of the attendees who talked through both the opening act and Moen's set.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I grew corn in my #Chicago North Side backyard this year. Not bad for a first try.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

My photographs were included in the Beverly Art Walk. Along with my photos, I presented an artist statement (not stodgy in the least) & an essay for each photograph (Tom Skilling, Guinness & bison receive mentions). If you're interested, you can read my essays and the artist statement on my blog.

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Essays and Photographs From My Exhibit at the Beverly Art Walk - Nature in Chicagoland

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG (FOUNDED IN 2017) AND BOOK

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Looking for a great hike this weekend? Perhaps a little fishing? Birding? If so check out my article, Visit Winding Creek Conservation Area for Spectacular Skies, Great Hiking, Birdwatching, and Fishing, to learn more about a great nature spot. tinyurl.com/ykv4ky6c @discovermccd #prairies #birds

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Rainy days in Chicago create alot of talk in my family about umbrellas. "Where are the umbrellas? This umbrella is broken! We need new umbrellas!" I thought I'd share this essay. I hope that your day is a dry one, with a sturdy, just-right umbrella in your hand as you weather, well, the weather.

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Dad’s Umbrella

BY ANDREW MORKES, AUTHOR OF “MORKES THIS and THAT” Photo by ALTEREDSNAPS on Pexels.com The mud rooms, car trunks, and closets of America are cluttered with beat-up umbrellas that blow-o…

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

15 seconds of native prairie bliss at Winding Creek Conservation Area in McHenry County. Look for my story about this great nature spot tomorrow. #nativeplants #prairies #illinois

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

My reward for spending the day in McHenry County and hiking 5 miles at 3 great spotsas I conducted research for Nature in Chicagoland 2

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Some photos from my exhibit at the Beverly Area Arts Alliance Beverly Art Walk yesterday. Very happy to be included in what is now one of the best days of the year in Beverly/Morgan Park. And so pleased that so many friends and family came out to support me.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I'll be showing my work today at the Beverly Art Walk from 11am to 5pm on Chicago's South Side--my ancestral homeland. Come out for a great day of art, live music, food & family fun. 150 exhibitors/42 sites And a great afterparty featuring new-wave Mucca Pazza and others. #beverlyartwalk2026 #art

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Today is one year since my mom passed away. Time passes quickly. Sharing some photos my mom over the years to celebrate her life and wonderfulness.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Check out my new article, Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area: Dragonflies Galore, Rare Hanging Fens, Great Birdwatching, and Big Skies, to learn more about one of my new favorite places to hike. tinyurl.com/4e92sh69 #fens #prairies #nativeplants #mchenrycountyil @discovermccd

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Reposted by Andrew Morkes

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 17/09/2026

Breaking News: The Trump administration is quietly moving to strip a core protection for endangered species, according to an internal memo. nyti.ms/471V0mp

A photo of a whale in the ocean. Headline reads: "Trump Administration Moves to Gut a Core Endangered Species Protection." Photo credit: Louise Johns for The New York Times.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

GOOD NEWS! Weather legend Tom Skilling posted (on his FB page) one of my photos that was selected to appear in the Beverly Art Walk, 11am-5pm in Chicago’s Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhoods on Sat, Sept 26. 100 juried artists in 42 venues/live music/free/family friendly Learn more: beverlyarts.org

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A charm of goldfinches came to visit my #Chicago #nativeplants prairie patch today. I took video of one of them. They love the coneflower seeds.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area was pretty spectacular yesterday. #nativeplants #mchenrycountyIL

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Some #nativeplants (sawtooth sunflowers, asters, goldenrod) from my Chicago North Side backyard

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Have you visited The Wild Mile? The Wild Mile is the latest Chicago River restoration success story. It’s the flagship project of the nonprofit @urbanrivers.bsky.social & one of the best nature spots (of more than 25) I've visited in 2026. Check out my story to learn more. @urbanrivers #wildmile

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Exploring The Wild Mile: Chicago's Floating Eco-Park - Nature in Chicagoland

A Conservation Success Story and a Fun Place to Enjoy Nature, Learn, and Relax on the Chicago River

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#Book News! Orbital, one of my favorite recent reads, has been selected by the Chicago Public Library for this year’s One Book, One Chicago citywide read. I reviewed it in 2024 on my blog. You can read my review by clicking the link. A lyrical book that will make you reexamine your place on Earth.

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"Orbital" Celebrates Nature, the Earth, and the Wonders of Spaceflight and Being Human in a Tough and Challenging Time - Nature in Chicagoland

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

GOOD NEWS! 5 of my photographs have been selected to appear at the Morgan Park Academy Art Center in the Beverly Art Walk, 11am-5pm in Chicago’s Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhoods on Saturday, Sept 26. 100+ juried artists in 42 venues. Live music. Free/family friendly. Learn more: beverlyarts.org

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Around 1675 AD, a bur oak acorn germinated and sprouted in what is now McHenry County. It beat the odds (disease, fires, settlers), and you can see it at Gateway Nature Park in Harvard, Illinois. There's also great birdwatching & a one-mile trail in this tiny, but charming, nature preserve. #trees

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Visit Beautiful Gateway Nature Park in McHenry County, Illinois, to Hike, Go Birding, and See a 350-Year-Old Bur Oak - Nature in Chicagoland

BREAKING NEWS: A small, but beautiful, nature spot, is hiding in plain sight just off U.S. Route 14 in Harvard, Illinois. I’ve traveled north on U.S. 14 to

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Early morning, late summer blooms and bee in my #chicago North Side backyard

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Early morning moon and bird from my #Chicago North Side backyard

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I'm seeing some beautiful photos of the lunar eclipse from last night. Mine are not to that level, but I still enjoyed the show.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I've published a new story on my blog, Nature in Chicagoland: Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area Offers Great Hiking and Birding & an Excellent Restored Prairie More than 110 bird species have been sighted, and the prairie restoration is stunning. @DiscoverMCCD #birds tinyurl.com/58az7448

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Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area Offers Great Hiking and Birding and an Excellent Restored Prairie - Nature in Chicagoland

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Random thought of the day: My dad died almost 30 years ago & it's a damn wonderful thing to hear new stories about him and his kindness to others. In the last week or two I've heard three stories about him that I'd never heard before. Grace notes from heaven. (My dad and I outside our house.)

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

A beautiful goldfinch in my Chicago North Side native garden #birds #goldfinch #purpleconeflowers

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

This butterfly (or doppleganger friend) has taken up residence in my native garden. He/she has been around for the last week or so, not just flying through, but always perched on a flower or flying around when I walk by. Another nice benefit of turning my #Chicago lawn into a native plant habitat.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Hawks are common outside of the city (& in forested or lakefront areas within), but having this hawk swoop through my Jefferson Park yard this morning was exciting & a first in my neighborhood. Very cool. I wish I had my camera, rather than just an iPhone but not bad for the moment. #chicago #birds

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Wow! A crazy wall cloud just rolled through Jefferson Park before the torrential rains arrived. #chicago #wallcloud

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Monday native flowers from my Chicago garden

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I thought I'd write something to celebrate the life of talented musician/songwriter Glen Hansard, who died suddenly yesterday. Such sad news. A talented musician who had great energy as a performer and person. Funny & real. Only 56 years old (my age, too). #glenhansard photo©Ben HoudijkShutterstock

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Thoughts on the Life and Death of Glen Hansard, the Conveyor Belt of Life, Funerals, and the Urge to Capture Time - Nature in Chicagoland

BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Hey! That's me holding my book, Nature in Chicagoland. Summer is far from over. The beautiful light & colors of fall are next. And it's a perfect time to get out into nature in the Chicago area & beyond. If you need destination ideas, check out my book, tinyurl.com/p2nnxpmj #books #chicago #nature

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

I have a new story at my blog: 2025: Celebrating My Mom’s Last Birthday tinyurl.com/yc5skhh3 We hosted a humdinger of an 85th birthday party for my mom last year on this day. Amidst the sometimes misery of being old and sick, there was joy, happiness, love, and support. A few thoughts on that day.

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Here are a few photos from my recent visit to Dunning Read Natural Area on Chicago's Northwest Side. The restoration is going so well, and it has become a beautiful place to take a short hike and see tons of birds, native flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies. #hiking #birds #chicago #dunning

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The forest fires in Canada have unfortunately made Chicago and other Midwestern cities very smoky. I've updated my article, 23 Indoor Places to Visit in Chicagoland on a Canadian-Wildfire, Smoke-Filled Day in case you need some indoor suggestions on this smoky Chicago day. tinyurl.com/4arx7mu9

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

A beautiful butterfly from our Chicago North Side yard. This was just a patch of sad grass two years ago. #plantnativespecies

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Andrew Morkes @naturechicagoland.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Native flowers from my Chicago North Side garden

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