birding just to the south of us...

If you're heading southward into the Chicago area, you might want to check out the Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide, here. There are many excellent locations in which to find birds and experience the natural history of this area. I hope to be doing that myself this sometime this fall! I've been staying close to home most of this year - limiting travel is the right choice for me. But I do make an exception now and then!