Public buildings generally have few secrets … but they may have features that relatively few people know about. Your library has one. It backs up to a marsh and a small lake that, as far as I can tell, hasn’t had a boat in it for years.
As a result, it’s as “natural” as any area in Lake County (outside of a forest preserve anyway).
It’s a great place for bird watching. There’s an elevated walking path on the lake side of the two water run-off detention basins. This lets you see over most of the high grass that would otherwise obscure your view. When I walk outside I frequently take along a pair of binoculars just to see what I can see.
I’m writing this in late April and have yet to see our resident herons. They’ll no doubt be here soon. The redwing blackbirds are everywhere, easily seen clinging to reeds on the other side of the lake and staking their claims to territory. The geese and ducks take off with a great flap of wings and land with a careless splash. The occasional hawk glides by, always watchful.
If you have a chance, grab your own binoculars and visit the library to watch the birds.
Of course, as this is a library there are books on bird watching that can help you identify the birds you see.
I suppose I do have to mention that.
Bob Watson
Director