It's the time of year for slimies (again)

Hiked a few miles today through two local forest preserves (Cook County).  It's always a bittersweet trek - I am sad to see careless degradation of the preserves by litterbugs and invasive species out of control, but am thrilled each time I discover threatened native species of herptiles and find signs of ecological restoration in progress.

The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer).

There's something about slugs and snails that really draws me to them.  They definitely have a very innocent lifestyle as detritivores and seem to just live life at their own, slow pace.

Another foray into the Oxbow Prairie.  This photo illustrates the low wetlands and the sloping prairie beyond it.

Woodland recently subjected to prescribed burns.  The smell of char was still quite heavy in the air, especially as the humidity was high.