Volo Bog State Natural Area notes

All programs are free. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

For more information and to make reservations, call (815) 344-1294, for the hearing impaired (800) 526-0844 or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Shutter bugs: The Shutter Bugs Photo Club meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

Upcoming meetings will be Wednesday and Oct. 17 and Nov. 21.

The meetings include how-to workshops, guest speakers and member competitions. Non-members are invited to attend, but membership is required to compete.

No reservations are required. The group is open to ages 14 to adult. Make reservations by sending an e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or call (815) 344-1294.

Astronomy nights: Astronomy nights, hosted by the Lake County Astronomical Society take place from 8:30 to 10 p.m. the third Friday of the month at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

Upcoming meetings will be Friday and Oct. 19 and Nov. 16.

A business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear at about 9:30 p.m.

The public is welcome. Memberships are available. For club information, visit the Web site www.lcas-astronomy.org/.

Bird walks: Bird walks will be offered at 8 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 22, Oct. 13, 27, Nov. 10 and Dec 1 and 8 at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

Led by McHenry County Audubon members Randy Schietzelt and Joel Orlinsky, the walks begin in the main parking lot then venture into and around Volo Bog.

Birders of all skill levels work together to search for and identify waterfowl, raptors and songbirds including fall warblers.

Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars and field guides or borrow from the leaders. The program is geared to adults and kids ages 6 and older.

To make reservations, e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or call (815) 344-1294.

Arthropod adventures: Arthropod Adventures will take place from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

Using sweep nets and magnifying glasses, explore the biodiversity of an old field that often goes unnoticed. See the variety of spiders, grasshoppers, beetles and bugs and learn how to observe and enjoy bees, wasps and hornets.

Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki will help the most bug-phobic folks relax and begin to enjoy their discoveries.

Open to ages 5 to adult, the program requires registration. To register, call (815) 344-1294 or send e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Fall color walk: A fall color walk will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 6 at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

Join naturalist Stacy Iwanicki on this informal walk that will include some tree identification and activities.

Open to ages 5 to adult, the program requires registration. To register, call (815) 344-1294 or send e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Ghost stories: Volo Bog State Natural Area will hold its 21st Annual Ghost Stories from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13.

Sue Black will kick off the evening with stories from her collection of "Giggles, Jumps and Squeals." These family-friendly stories celebrate the season with shivers for listeners of all ages. Then from "Ghosts, Shivers and Screams" black will include more spine-tingling stories.

After intermission, Don Falkos will read his stories. Falkos' ghost stories are mostly originals that are geared to listeners ages 10 and older. Many of his ghost stories can be found on his CD, "The 1956 Chevy Bel Air and Other Chilling Stories."

Sponsored by the Friends of Volo Bog with Volo Bog State Natural Area, donations are requested. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

The registration deadline is Oct. 7. Call Volo Bog at (815) 344-1294 or send e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Of Bogs and Books: Of Bogs and Books meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at Volo Bog State Natural Area. Upcoming programs will be Oct. 13 and Nov 10.

Adults share coffee, tea, snacks and discussions of environmental readings. Fall selections are The Birds of Heaven by Peter Matthiessen and The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth by E. O. Wilson.

For information, call Volo Bog at (815) 344-1294 or e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Watercolor painting exhibit: The Lakes Region Watercolor Guild will display original nature paintings through Oct. 14 at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

The artwork can be viewed during visitor center hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

The public also is invited to a reception from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 14.

Meet the artists and talk to them about their works and painting history. One of the works will be featured on a cake that will be served with coffee and other light refreshments.

Works will be available for sale through private transactions with the artists off site. For information, call Volo Bog at (815) 344-1294 or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Photo contest: Enter photos in the Volo Bog State Natural Area photo contest through 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at the visitor center.

Entry forms and rules are available at the visitor center, by e-mail or phone request and also is available at Volo Bog's Web site www.dnr.state.il.us.

Bird seed orders: The Friends of Volo Bog will take orders until 3 p.m. Oct. 28 to purchase bird seed.

Bird seed orders can then be picked up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 3 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 4.

Bird seed sales are a fund-raiser of the Friends of Volo Bog. Proceeds support programs, projects and activities at Volo Bog State Natural Area. Member discounts apply.

Call (815) 344-1294 to obtain an order form.

Restoration workshop: Volo Bog State Natural Area will offer a workshop on restoring savannas and woodlands from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 3.

Ecologist, naturalist and college instructor Greg Rajsky will share a synopsis of ideas that can be incorporated on both public lands and on private property. Restoration ecologists and private land owners will benefit from this presentation and walk.

Geared to adults, youth ages 15 and older also can attend this free workshop. Bring a sack lunch. To register, call (815) 344-1294 or send e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Mammals of Volo Bog: Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki will present an examination of skulls and skins as she shares stories of some common and not-so-common fellow mammal residents of northeastern Illinois.

The program, which will run from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 10, will begin indoors followed by an outdoor scavenger hunt walk.

Ages 6 to adult are welcome. To register, call (815) 344-1294 or send e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

After the Fall: "After the Fall," a tree walk will run from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 24 at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

Bark and buds, twigs and form, fallen nuts and other clues help to reveal a tree's identity after the fall. This walk, led by naturalist Stacy Iwanicki, is geared to adults and youth ages 12 and older.

To register, call (815) 344-1294 or send e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Winter wetland botany: Volo Bog State Natural Area will offer a workshop on winter wetland botany from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1.

This workshop will focus on trees, shrubs and the dried remains of the flowering plants that persist in this Illinois wetland.

Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki will lead this workshop that will take place indoors and outside.

Children ages 12 to adult are welcome. To register, call (815) 344-1294 or send e-mail to dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Guided tours: Guided tours of Volo Bog are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Volo Bog is Illinois' only remaining open-water quaking bog. Autumn brings splashes of color to the unique wetland: golden tamaracks, maroon, orange and yellow sumacs and red winterberry holly.

The ever-present carnivorous pitcher plants not to mention birds, frogs, turtles and other animals all add interest to the guided bog tours.

Public tours are open to individuals, families and small groups without reservations. Groups of 10 or more are asked to call (815) 344-1294 for special arrangements. Tours run about one hour.