I had to start with the coolest thing we saw on our foray: woodcock eggs! We flushed their parents out of the brush from like 100 yards away. Questionable parenting.
St. Michael’s Church.
Some tiny buddies.
Moss is a critical early successional component of the ecosystem, accumulating organic matter than other species can eventually grow in.
A deer path through the sumac forest. Always follow the deer path.
Gothic Calumet.
Would you believe there are orchids and rare sedges on this slag wetland at Big Marsh?
I present to you the strappy leaves of Spiranthes cernua. 
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This might be one of my most favorite photos at Big Marsh. I spent 10s of hours at this site during the summer of 2018 and literally never saw a bird in this tree! The site always seemed quiet in animal life, but rich in plant life.
I promise we left all most of the seeds behind before we got in the car.
Fairy ponds are dry right now, but it’s full on gentian season in the oak openings!
Calumet Region Adventure Club 