A new year for nature appreciation at Stillman Center
Not everyone was watching football on New Year's Day. Some people decided to combine a quest for exercise with a chance to commune with nature and participated in a walk at the Stillman Nature Center in South Barrington.
Over the years, New Year's Day hikers on Stillman's trails have encountered everything from bluebirds and shrikes to the remains of coyote kills.
"You never know what we're going to find, it's just fun to go out," said naturalist Mark Spreyer, adding that the snow made it easier to spot wildlife tracks.
"I don't know if we'll see any owls, but hopefully a raptor or two, that would be wonderful," said Elizabeth Wrobel of North Barrington, who wasn't deterred by the weather. "I have a ton of layers on. I came completely prepared. I like cold weather so this is perfect. It's a great way to start the new year."
Stillman is a private, nonprofit center for environmental education located on 80 acres of woods, lake and prairie.