While the forest preserves long have been a place for fans of nature and wildlife to gather in the real world, the Forest Preserve District of Will County is fostering an online preserve of sorts where animal enthusiasts can share images of the critters they discover throughout the county.
And there’s been some interesting finds posted in the Facebook group Will County Wildlife. Local resident Paul Sevcik recently captured pictures of a rare albino woodchuck — also known as a groundhog — at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve.
Recent posts have featured the unusual — Caspian terns diving into the waters near Channahon; the cute — baby skunks in Joliet and raccoon cubs in Homer Glen; and the unsettling — large fox snakes and northern water snakes.
There are posts featuring black squirrels, a black-legged kittiwake bird, and a white great horned owl to name a few. Group member Helen Hicks didn’t even need to leave her backyard to find a white opossum.
“I feel like I’m sharing in their journey when I capture a good shot of the wildlife,” she said.
The daily menagerie is administered by the FPDWC and has attracted nearly 3,000 members since it was started last year, according to district spokeswoman Cindy Cain.
“The group has experienced steady growth since the Forest Preserve District launched it in February 2018,” Cain said. “Membership numbers jump when a particularly fascinating photo is shared and group members encourage their friends to join.”
One common theme seems to be that the wildlife bridges a connection between familial generations.
Group member Debi Barnette Shapiro said wildlife photography also serves as a sort of therapy.
“My mom used to go with me all the time to the local parks to be my spotter and get out of the house when she was starting to decline,” she said. “Now (taking pictures of wildlife) helps me with great memories to keep since her passing.”
Cindy Hostert, a volunteer Trail Sentinel with the district who calls herself a “deer whisperer,” said she’s been exploring the preserves for 20 years but only recently discovered the district’s online photography community.
“I’ve only been a member of the Will County Wildlife group for a few weeks and am delighted to have found such an appreciate group who loves nature as much as I do,” she said.
Eileen Donovan Capodice said participating in the group is a way to destress.
“There are gems to find and moments happening all around us that we just don’t get the chance to see and enjoy in the everyday rush of life,” she said, adding she enjoys “capturing those wildlife and nature moments to share with others.”
Cain said the group was born out of the district’s monthly photography contest.
“After seeing so many beautiful Preserve the Moment photo contest entries and the wonderful reactions to nature photos posted on the District’s social media accounts, establishing the Will County Wildlife group made sense,” she said.
Capodice was a contest finalist for her photograph of a great blue heron battling a northern water snake.
Similarly, Kevin Keyes won the Will County Forest Preserve district inaugural photo contest with a picture of an American Toad and remains active in the group.
“I’ve always loved nature and all its animals,” he said. “The photographs make a second last a lifetime.”
And participant Donna Hinz Schanks said what draws her to photograph wildlife is the “challenge of capturing the best shot or unique shot.”
Whether it’s the love of photography or the love of animals, residents and visitors of Will County have created a community within their community where along with their photos they share camaraderie and their passion.
And for Cain, that’s what it’s all about.
“It fosters a community interest in nature year-round,” she said. “It also helps the District learn about unusual animal sightings and hot spots of animal and nature activity.
“For instance, last winter it was wildlife group members who first started posting photos of the bald eagles that were resting in trees and fishing at Rock Run Rookery. And by posting the photos, it helps other nature lovers know where they can go to find the coolest creatures and the most beautiful spots in the Will County forest preserves.”
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