A12. Ready for more chit-chat? Wander over to the #ParkChat book club, as we begin one of the lesser-known works of John Muir--Story of My Boyhood and Youth." We meet on Zoom, 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7 pm Central, 5 pm Pacific. Contact @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social for details.

A6. I think Badlands NP deserves a mention here. Copies of photos from the film era are shown. The labyrinth of formations changes a bit with every rain. And how cool would it be to photograph a fossil that you just found there? #ParkChat

A9. If you want to get away from people, go to Horicon and Nacedah NWRs. Horicon has more visitation when there's an influx of waterfowl. Autumn in Wisconsin, with its awesome colors, puts some pressure on lodging and campsites. Other than those, you won't experience a line for anything. #ParkChat

A8. Ticks can be a hazard in Horicon and Nacedah NWRs. You can thank climate change for the truly awful lonestar tick moving that far north. Also, some of the roads in Nacedah NWR have become impassable, even to 4W drive. Apparently, the township says they have other priorities. #ParkChat

A5. Being in Wisconsin, Nacedah and Horicon NWRs are surrounded by interesting places to visit. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is not far away. Or, you can explore Aldo Leopold's farm and walk in the footsteps of John Muir. #ParkChat

A3. If you visit Nacedah NWR during one of the 2 flights of the federally endangered Karner Blue Butterfly, be sure to walk the Lupine Loop for a good chance to see the little blue gem. We visited in between flights this past visit, so we were unable to see them. #ParkChat

A2. I've never seen a crowd at Horicon or Nacedah NWRs. The busiest time at Horicon may be when the geese fly in. I've heard people go there for the spectacle. Any time is great at the refuges. I saw both of them just a couple weeks ago. Busy nesting birds and blooming flowers everywhere. #ParkChat

A6. I cherish the Lincoln Home in Springfield , IL, because...Lincoln! #ParkChat

A3. Last September/October I visited the state for the first time. There are too many NPS sites to see in one trip. I concentrated on the Hudson Valley. FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt, Van Buren, Vanderbilt, and Saratoga. Next I want to visit the city NPS sites, Fire Island, and others. #ParkChat

A7. The NPS preserves the homes of some women social justice leaders, such as Eleanor Roosevelt. At other times they simply lock the doors to sites, 🙄, as they did during the government shutdown last October. I could only peer in the window at Women's Rights NHP in Seneca Falls. #ParkChat

On a recent trip to the wetlands and creeksides of Wisconsin I frequently saw one of my favorite plants, Angelica atropurpurea. Common name Great Angelica. Indeed. The plants in the photo are nearly 10 feet tall. #ParkChat

A12. Now is a great time to check out our #ParkChat book club. Join us Tuesday, June 16, at 7 pm Central to discuss the first half of Sea of Grass by Hage and Marcotty. We meet on Zoom and we never know where our discussion will lead us. Interested? Contact our moderator @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social

Breeding Bird Survey (operated by the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, USGS) In Illinois, doing my first route this morning. Showing the sky at 5 stops in. Sun still below the horizon, and have yet to have enough light to use binoculars. Waking up at 3 am is tough, though. 😂

A10. I found tapioca slime mold growing around the base of an oak tree along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Northern Wisconsin. #ParkChat

A11. How about a Midwestern sunset behind incoming storm clouds? #ParkChat

A9. In the amazing Joshua Tree NP I discovered Salvia columbariae, chia. Nearby I also saw holes worn into the rocks, where I could imagine indigenous people from an earlier time grinding the chia seeds. #ParkChat

Baorangia bicolor is the species, I believe. A mushroom that bruises dark blue/indigo when bruised or cut, as I did to this specimen. Found near my home. #ParkChat

A4. Back to the prairie. The iconic gray-headed coneflower. Ratibada pinnata. Helps put the tall in tall grass prairie. #ParkChat

One of the most stunning plants in the prairie is butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa. It's a milkweed, so you know how good that is. This pic was taken along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (and NPS unit) in Wisconsin, near Cross Plains. #ParkChat

A1. I have always loved going outside after a storm to see rainbows over farm country. However, due to convenience, I'm posting pics from Niagra Falls last October. Rainbows, rocks, and water that shakes the earth. #ParkChat

A3. Since I haven't done a complete road trip on this highway, I'll stick to spots I know. I get my kicks on Route 66 by going to the Cozy Dog Drive In. Famous for serving the "original" corn dog. #ParkChat

A8. I like to collect funny signs and strange things, by photo, along the way. As an example, I present the world's saddest traffic cone, found inside Death Valley NP. I may be going out on a limb, but I think I might be the only person to have collected this item. lol. #ParkChat

Q6. Some parks are in remove areas, away from urban centers, grocery stores, and other people. The employees must adapt to condition such as frequent power outages and infrequent trips to stores. How would you cope with these conditions? #ParkChat

Q4. Another visible employee in our parks is the Law Enforcement Ranger. The LE Ranger is there to protect both visitors and the resources, and enforce the laws. Have you met an LE Ranger during a park visit? What are your impressions of their jobs? #ParkChat

Q2. Tell us about a great encounter you've had with an NPS employee. #ParkChat

A6. The last trip I took to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was about 3 years ago in early October, just before a big cold front came through. The trails and bog boardwalks were peaceful, but Lake Superior was angry. #ParkChat

A4. I've had so many magical forested hikes, but one trail I return to most years is the Ice Age NST in Wisconsin. Much of it is forested, which can be a delight in fall. Sometimes I'm exploring a bog with carpets of moss and mushrooms. #ParkChat

A8. Johnstown, PA, is one such place. The tragedy which this NPS site commemorates was the loss of life in that town so many years ago. From the visitor center you can look down into what was once the reservoir created by the dam that failed. #ParkChat

We showed up in rural, red Illinois. 300 people, a great turnout!

A12. #ParkChat has a book club! We'd love to have you join us in our monthly meetings. They are on Zoom, every 3rd Tuesday, 7 pm Central. One book every 2 months. We are just starting Ranger in Skirts by Shirley Sargent. Want to know more? Contact our moderator @ocparkbuilder.bsky.social.