A Walk on the Wild Side in Downtown

The snow is gone.  The temperatures are finally going up and Oswego is looking greener each and every day.  With the warmer temps, we find ourselves outside enjoying the beautiful weather.  If you look carefully, you will see that we are not alone - even in downtown. 

Illinois is full of wild places you can visit, but we are fortunate to live in a community that has abundant and beautiful green space.  Many of these green spaces are just steps away from our own front door.  And with these green spaces, many barely touched by human hand, you will find the hiden and sometimes not so hiden treasures of the wild.

For the last few years, Waubonsee Creek, in downtown Oswego, has been one of my family's favorite spots just to spend an afternoon. Being a family that enjoys nature, the short stretch of the creek between Adams Street and Rt. 25 seems a world away from the hussle of our normal lives. Taking time wading through the water and relaxing can be more fun than any paid event around.  The fact that it is only two miles from my front door doesn't hurt.

This past weekend with the warm weather was no different.  While taking a stroll along the path towards Adams street, we were joined by a beautiful Northern Water Snake that was out sunning it's self on the edge of the path.  We have seen snakes in the creek and the Fox River before, but this brave soul gave us a bit of a surprise being up on the path it's self. Though it is never wise to handle wild snakes, these beautiful creatures are non-venomous and are more likely to slither away than ever strike if you leave them alone. 

In total, we saw three different water snakes in a hundred foot section of the creek indicating that there is abundant food and clean environment for them to thrive. Further up the creek, we found signs that the mink we saw last year is back and hunting. With finding two Bullfrogs and having a Double Crested Coumorant fly over our heads, our afternoon was full of close encounters with wildlife just a stones throw away from Main Street. 

Taking time to enjoy nature can be one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.  Whether it is fishing the Fox, biking the trails, or just sticking your toes in the water, next time you're out and about - keep your eyes open and look closely.  You just might see the wild animals that call Oswego their home.