Catching Nature

Marian Pezdek has loved gardening ever since she was a little girl planting alongside her mother in her gardens.

They come from all walks of life, but they bond over their common love of exercise, the great outdoors and nature.

Annette McNeely Combines love of dogs, snow and nature I started dogsledding in 2003 when I adopted a Siberian Husky and had no idea what I was in for. Reo was eating my house. After doing some research on husky behavior, I learned they are an energetic dog that needs to run.

Not many people can claim kinship with a piece of land, but Mayslake steward Conrad Fialkowski may be one of those people. He has been working tirelessly for more than 30 years to restore the woodland and prairie landscape to Mayslake Forest Preserve, since before the land was owned by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

Larry Brousil Volunteer, outdoor enthusiast I'm a project manager for Allstate and pretty much sit at my desk most of the day, so I try to get outdoors as much as possible. My hobbies/interests include hiking, cycling, kayaking and fishing. I have a son who lives in eastern Washington state. Unlike his dad, my son followed his passion and pursued a degree in environmental sciences.

Kathy Isoda was drawn to St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville because it was an opportunity to be part of a new forest preserve, and she loved its equestrian roots.

Helen Metanchuk rummages through the trunk of her car as she dons her vest, binoculars, tools and notebook and pen and sets out to check the 12 bluebird nest boxes on her route at Blackwell Forest Preserve’s McKee Marsh in West Chicago.

Armed with nice cameras with huge lenses, binoculars and bug spray, Eddie and Brett Kasper of Western Springs set out for a quick hike at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook recently.

For a group of area artists, there is something exquisitely refreshing about plein air painting, perfected by artists like Monet, Renoir and Georgia O’Keeffe. From May through mid-October, members of the DuPage Art League meet Friday mornings at various preserves and other scenic spots to paint and share their experiences. We caught up with them recently at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton recently. After they spend time painting and drawing, they meet to discuss their experiences.

Paul Kramer Model craft enthusiast I started building model airplanes in grammar school and began flying them a couple years later. I didn’t know of any local model airplane clubs, so I tried to start a club in eighth grade. A dozen guys showed up, but none of us knew anything. A club and experienced pilots are a big boost to your success and help you avoid a lot of novice mistakes.