One of our favorite parts of the Cook County Forest Preserves are the Cap Sauer Holdings. We parked on the south side of the Calumet Sag Road (Route 83) and walked in on a tiny path where no dogs are allowed. As we walked south the traffic sounds gradually faded.
We walked uphill until we were walking on top of a ridge. We saw no one on our morning walk but constantly heard airplanes overhead.
We walked by a wetland where we hear frogs in the spring. But is was cold and quiet.
We paused to look at fungi and try to identify a bird call. Or was it a squirrel? I heard a woodpecker drilling on a tree.
Then I saw a movement, and realized it was a coyote. I tried to get Dan to see it.
I managed to get one clearer picture. There were actually two coyotes and they gradually slunk away from us further into the woods. It is a good place to hide and they blend in well with the gray and brown landscape this time of year. They looked healthy with pretty fur.
As we walked out I could see a frozen stream flowing downhill. It was a gray day and these pictures may seem dull, although it was a beautiful walk. This is a wonderful place to see spring wildflowers.
We saw a lot of these tennis ball looking fruit near the trailhead. Looking on Google it seems like these are from an Osage Orange tree.
Back home, my attention was drawn to a flock of starlings that were checking out the birdbath in the backyard.
The house sparrows were attracted by the racket. The water is off and on frozen these days.
The male northern cardinal briefly stopped by.
The female northern cardinal looked for a meal on the ground.
The robin tried out a crabapple.
We are almost at the shortest day of the year. Time for winter walks, and mostly cozy time indoors, and holiday celebrations!
Little Backyard World 