Letters

WOLF LAKE Wonders

Dear Editor,

Greg Spyreas’ hope that Wolf Lake’s flora and fish will sustain themselves “for another 100 years (”Wolf Lake: Rarities in the Rough” CW, Summer ’07) is now more likely to occur.
Last year some $8 million was spent at Wolf Lake on two projects that the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative (AWLI) has advanced since its founding. Those projects—the cleanup of the 11.5-acre Calumet Container site and the restoration of the lake’s Indiana shoreline—have paved the way for an equally important effort to develop a bi-state management plan for the Wolf Lake watershed.

Sponsored by AWLI, the plan project is funded by a $67,500 grant from the Indiana DNR’s Lake and River Enhancement program as announced in July. One can only imagine the efforts it will spawn.

Michael L. Boos
Executive Director, AWLI

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing the great article on Wolf Lake. The author, Greg Spyreas, is funny and entertaining. His article is educational and interesting.

I learn something new about Wolf Lake all the time. I did not realize what an amazing environment it holds until I became involved with the Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative. We welcome the site’s visitors and any input they have for us. We would be happy to offer you a first-hand look at the lake and a tour of sites around Wolf Lake anytime.

I believe we live in a unique place in the Midwest: on the shores of one of the finest Great Lakes in the USA and beside one of the most diverse freshwater lakes in both Illinois and Indiana (Wolf Lake). I cannot imagine living anywhere else.

Linda M. Cook
President, AWLI

pedal to the meadow

To the Editor,

In your recent article “Have Train, Will Travel” (CW, Summer ’07), the author, Carol LaChapelle, expressed some dismay at the difficulty in trying to reach several natural areas via public transit. As many readers are no doubt already aware, the Chicagoland Bicycle Map, produced by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, is an indispensable resource for Chicago-area bicyclists. But by showing detailed locations of forest preserves, state parks, trails, and off-street paths, the Chicagoland Bicycle Map is also perfect for folks venturing into the Chicago wilderness using public transit and their own feet. It also shows both major roads and low-traffic side streets, so it’s a good complement to the Regional Transit Authority’s system map. I highly recommend using both, even if you don’t plan to ride a bike..

Jennifer Davis
Chicago, IL

NEW WAYS TO SEE

Dear Editor,

“Eleven Fresh Ways to See Nature” (CW, Summer ’07) was a great article. Thanks. Next time, add another: “Take Photographs.” Suggest readers use the highest resolution available on their camera. Then, in addition to capturing stuff they like, they can take a few shots of “nothing” by just aiming the camera and clicking. When they get home, they can display the images on their computer full screen, and find all the things they missed in person. This is a great family, class, or group activity.

I’m 56 years old. When I was about ten, Field & Stream made the same suggestion you did: “Sit quietly.” I did, and a fox came by—hooked. As waterfront director for a summer camp in the Maine woods in the 1970s, I would have kids do this frequently—day and night.

That brings up another suggestion: “Night Walks.” Kids don’t realize how much one can see in the woods at night without a flashlight. Once they know the trail, going out on a dark, cloudy night is really a trip.

Mike Trent
LaGrange, IL

East loop kestrels

Dear Editor,

Here’s confirmation that the East Loop kestrel population outside my window has tripled!

The proud mama and papa who’ve been basking all spring outside my window on the 19th floor of the Friends of the Parks offices have four babies! Yesterday [June 18], I saw all four babies perched on the roof of a neighboring building, while mom and dad were on the fire escape.

They’re so beautiful and playful! They’re doing all kinds of aerial acrobatics right now over the roof of the Illinois Medical Association Building on Michigan. And I just saw one of the baby boys dive off the fire escape and chase around and finally catch in midair a large bug—maybe an errant cicada?

I just had an amazing close-up view (trusty desk-side binocs) of one of the young females balanced on the fire escape railing with crumbs of something on her beak. I looked closer and she had a big cicada between her feet. She bowed her head down to delicately pull off each of the translucent top wings (which floated away on the air exactly like maple tree helicopters) and then dug out the juicy center bits.

There seems to be a tidal wave of insects being blown on the north wind between all the buildings in the loop. When I went out for lunch, from the street I could see a mass of stuff in the air catching the sun. I thought it was just dust or construction debris. But bugs and dragonflies and butterflies and cicadas keep buzzing past my window and the kestrels are having a field day!

Rebecca Blazer
Chicago, IL