Catching Nature

Bob Young has found the perfect outlet for his two passions: being outdoors and on the water. He serves as a volunteer zebra mussel monitor and volunteer ranger for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

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.

Using a high-tech bat detector, District ecologist Brian Kraskiewicz helped participants hear five different calls from the hoary bat at a recent Shedd Aquarium Spring Volunteer Leadership Conference at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook. Kraskiewicz explained how and why the District monitors bats in DuPage County.

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.