I witnessed a 5-foot diameter black cherry (Prunus serotina) today hiking at Funderburg Forest Preserve.
The tree is far past its prime and prime habitat for critters with all sorts of cavities. Survived last summer’s derecho which is amazing.

A view of where Doty Creek enters the Pecatonica River at the Natural Land Institute’s newest (yet to be named) preserves. We’re planning an open house at the Preserve on April 30th.

View of downtown Rockford today while birding below the dam at the “ford” where Rockford and its industry began. The Rock River stays open despite the cold weather here. Yesterday was a record high and tomorrow is forecast subzero!

Once upon a time there were Monarchs. Video from my front yard in Minnesota a few years ago.

I like winter but this video from my work at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum took my breath away as I was searching images for upcoming programs. The azaleas at the Arb are sure beautiful! If only their scent could be captured in video…

Sugar River on my regular wanderings in the wilds of Winnebago County, Illinois. Inaugural post with blue sky.