A Welcome Distraction: Smith's Longspur at Kankakee Sands
Photo by Shari McCollough Thank goodness for the Smith’s longspur. It’s a welcome distraction… a…
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Category: Great Outdoors
Outdoor Bucket List for Northwest Indiana
It is a great time for some much-needed nature exploration. Northwest Indiana is lucky to be home to…
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The Buffalo Man at Kankakee Sands
On a chilly March morning, John Hardwick pulls into the bison viewing area at Kankakee Sands. With his thermos of hot coffee handy, he’s ready to begin his day. John volunteers as a Bison Ranger at Kankakee Sands. He’s been doing this for four years, and in those four years he has inspired hundreds of visitors with information about Kankakee Sands and our bison herd. …
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Maple Syrup Time in Northwest Indiana
Please note: Indiana Dunes National Park cancelled Maple Syrup Time for March 14-15. Every March, maple trees in the South Shore awaken with the warm days and cold nights and the sap begins to flow. It's that time of year again, and the maple sugar farmers are busy, headed out with their tools to tap the trees…
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Ten Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day Along the South Shore
Sláinte! to the South Shore! P lease check with the managing organization to confirm events are not…
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Earth Day Along the South Shore
Celebrated on April 22nd each year is Earth Day. Although we should be mindful of our environment every day of the year, April 22nd is more of a movement to help inspire, challenge ideas, ignite passion and motivate people to action. Here are my top places in Northwest Indiana to be inspired by nature…
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Northwest Indiana for birding or just bird enjoying
Photo:More than 15 thousand cranes stop in NW Indiana on their migrations north and south each year. Wild birds are an important part of almost every outdoor person’s enjoyment of the natural world. Whether a person is hiking, picnicking, fishing or just sitting on a Lake Michigan beach, birds will be encountered. For some, the bird will just be a flitting glimpse, a bit of color. For others, perhaps spotting wedge of geese or a storm of swarming gulls is a momentary diversion. Birds are just a part of the overall mix which makes an outdoor activity enjoyable…
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10 Best Fishing Spots in Northwest Indiana
There are a variety of good fishing spots within the Northwest Indiana area, whether you're looking…
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Nature Notes: Kankakee Sands Bison are Changing It Up
Photoby Scott Johnsen My drive to work involves one stop sign and a herd of bison. It hasn’t always been that way… My commute used to involve one stop sign and several agricultural fields. That all started to change in 1996, when The Nature Conservancy began planting 8,000 newly-acquired acres with native prairie grasses and flowers. …
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Viewing a Moment of a Majestic Migration - Sandhill Cranes
My grandfather loved birds. He used to bird watch and enjoyed learning about them. This love of birds was passed down to my mom. It was with knowing this that our old neighbors, years ago, first took my parents to see the Sandhill Cranes at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. We have since gone as a family about three times before going for the fourth time this past week. Always the week before or of Thanksgiving. Each time we are amazed by what we see. …
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