Overview
Windy City Wild is a spectacular collection of 128 nature and wildlife photographs that will astonish viewers with the captivating natural beauty to be found just a short drive from the towering skyscrapers of Chicago's Loop. From the very beginning. Chicago's civic leaders were pioneers in setting aside large natural areas for conservation, over 200,000 acres, more than any other urban area in the United States. Within a 55-mile radius of the city there are no less than five distinctive ecosystems, including tall-grass prairies, oak savannas, forests, lakeshores, and wetlands. Several of the natural communities preserved here are among the rarest in the world, including 181 species listed as endangered or threatened.Join acclaimed nature and wildlife photographers Robert Shaw and Jason Lindsey on a stunning visual adventure to vistas of shooting stars at Chiwaukee Prairie, waving fields of blazing star and goldenrod at Gensburg-Markham Prairie, and a luscious green canyon at Camp Sagawau. Imagine what this land looked like to the Native Americans as you spy upon a carpet of trilliums in Messenger Woods or encounter sandhill cranes feeding along the Fox River.
Also included is an inspiring foreword by Bill Kurtis, an insightful epilogue by Bruce Boyd, director of The Nature Conservancy of Illinois, and a hand-painted map by renowned painter and Illinois native Wendell Minor. Glorious impressions of the landscape from early travelers and writers are sprinkled throughout, and expert captions along with complete photographic and location information rounds out this superb collection.
Synopsis
When most people think of the Chicago metropolitan area they usually don't envision captivating natural beauty, but within a 55-mile radius of the city there are no less than five distinctive ecosystems, including tall-grass prairies, oak savannas, forests, lakeshores, and wetlands. Several of the natural communities preserved here are among the rarest in the world, including 181 species listed as endangered or threatened. These spectacular color photographs uncover Chicago's natural wonders, including vistas of shooting stars at Chiwaukee Prairie, blazing star and goldenrod at Gensburg-Markham Prairie, a luscious green canyon at Camp Sagawau, a pair of sandhill cranes feeding along the banks of the Fox River, a carpet of trilliums in Messenger Woods, fog rising over the Volo bog, and a fox family venturing out at dawn.
Lansing/Lynwood Star
Treat yourself to this book, especially if you are a lover of nature. If you aren't, take a look at it and it is a given you will be.