Illinois Beach State Park

My “go to” location to photograph nature within a 30 minute drive of home, has long been Bong State Recreation Area here in Wisconsin. A great place with a little bit of everything in nature. It can reign supreme when it comes to hawks and diurnal owls. A couple of years ago I decided to change my “go to” place to somewhere just a bit closer to home. I decided that Illinois Beach State Park, which is just a short distance over the border made the most sense. I had been going there for years and I knew what I could find and when. http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r2/ilbeach.htm

Illinois Beach South

There are actually two Illinois Beaches, a north and a south unit. These are at two distinct locations about three miles apart. Both units begin on the shores of Lake Michigan. Both have some of the typical amenities of a state park, such as a swimming beach and picnic areas. Illinois South also has a campground. They do however hold many differences for the astute nature photographer.

Illinois Beach South Lupine field

Illinois Beach North Blazing Star

The south unit is primarily an oak savannah, with a good amount of wetland as well. Although both sections have hiking trails the south has an actual nature sanctuary. This place can be very, very special for flowers. Lupine, Shooting Star, Spiderwort, Butterfly Weed, Grass Pink Orchid, Paintbrush and much more bloom here. You can also find many species of butterflies and dragonflies. Raccoons, skunks and Great-horned Owls are common.

South Unit Spiderwort

Each unit can lay claim to some of the caterpillar and dragonfly images below.

Either section of IB is a champion when it comes to one subject. The Whitetail Deer. They are in abundance and obvious all year. The heavily forested South Unit is a bit harder to spot deer except in the winter when they are eating at the roadsides. The North Unit can be great all year. While there are woodlands (and Sand Lake) here, prairie is the main habitat. This open country makes it easier to see and photograph those deer.

Illinois Beach South.

North Unit.

There is an ample supply of natural water at both locations meaning that all kinds of frogs, toads, turtles and salamanders can be found.

Both the Snapping Turtle and the salamander that you see below were photographed at the north unit.

Both units are great for birding. Once again the open country of the North Unit makes it easier to get photos. Prairie birds are in abundance in the North Unit and it is a favorite location of mine for photographing the Eastern Meadowlark. All of the images below were made at IB North.