Starved Rock, Day Two

Day two at Starved Rock was another lovely hot spring day! We did not hike nearly as long as the day before, though I would have loved to! This time, we visited the three falls we had never been to in years past: two on the very east, and the third on the western side of the park.

The one year we had checked out Council Overhang, it was so muddy, we dared not venture beyond the overhang to the two waterfalls there! These are located on the east side of Starved Rock State Park. Approaching Council Overhang--it's right around the bend!

Council Overhang

Where the trail divides: to the left, Kaskaskia Falls; to the right, Ottawa Falls

Kaskaskia Falls

Ottawa Falls

Walking the extreme west side of Starved Rock toward St Louis Canyon

Huge boulders were scattered in front of the falls

St. Louis Falls

Should you get the chance, I hope you'll be inspired to enjoy the beauty Starved Rock State Park has to offer! --LKR

Starved Rock, Day One

Both days we hiked in Starved Rock, it was in the 80's!!! It felt more like summer than spring! The wooded park gave us some relief from the heat, and the temperature by the waterfalls was refreshingly cool.

French Falls cascading into another mini waterfall

Waiting in line to climb up the narrow stream to French Falls

I love this waterfall! Several years ago, we were hiking back here during an unexpected thunder storm. The thunder echoed through the canyons, but when we reached beautiful French Falls, we felt safe in this narrowly walled fortress!

The trails are easy to follow and well marked

Honestly, the walking is worth it!

There is beauty around every bend!

Nearing Wildcat Falls

Oh, did I mention the stairs???

Walking around Wildcat Falls

A trail walks you over the source leading to Wildcat Falls

Wildcat Falls

Hiking in Tonty Canyon

Rounding the bend to Tonty Falls

Can you feel its spray?

Tonty Falls

Part of the sandstone canyon by Tonty Falls

LaSalle Falls

View from almost underneath the falls

We just love LaSalle Falls! The kids get a kick out of walking behind it. (So do we!)  Here, my family is standing at the side of LaSalle while I'm shooting from behind the waterfall.

Starved Rock to the left, and the Illinois River and dam to the right.  The sandstone butte is named after the legend where Indians were surrounded and trapped by other tribes and they starved to death.

Another super place to hike is Matthiessen State Park which is located a hop, skip, and a jump from Starved Rock's westernmost trail.  --LKR

Turkey Vultures

A turkey vulture gliding through the air...

...and landing in a tree at Starved Rock State Park.

I've never seen them this close, before!  In the wild, that is!  At first, they flew really low to the ground, then soared higher above us before they descended again to rest in the trees.

Yup, there were two of them.  They are usually seen in numbers. 

Turkey vultures are interesting creatures. They can only hiss or grunt because they lack a syrinx.  Having a very keen sense of smell, they mainly eat carrion, but sometimes will eat fruit.  Nests are not built--eggs are laid in hollow trees, on cliffs, in caves, or even in abandoned buildings. If they can't fly away, turkey vultures will hiss and vomit undigested food to deter the few predators they have.  And to cool themselves down, they will defecate on their own legs!  This gives a new meaning to "dirty bird"!!!  --LKR

Early Illinois Flora

These were some of the early blooming flowers--and greenery--that we saw in Illinois at Starved Rock State Park.  They'll be coming to your area, soon, if they haven't already started blooming in your area!  Enjoy!  --LKR

Bloodroot

Rue Anemone

Skunk Cabbage

A bee pollinating Dutchman’s Breeches

Moss

Budding Toothwort

Rock, fern, and moss

Budding Virginia Bluebells

Big Falls County Park

We don't have to drive eight hours, any more, to see beautiful waterfalls. Big Falls may not boast dramatic or majestic cascading falls like those found in Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL, but these are beautiful in their own right. And, they are close to home--a huge plus!!!

This 135 acre county park is located in the town of Seymour and borders Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek. It is largely populated by fun-loving college students, but families who know of it's beauty also come to relax along the Eau Claire River's banks, as well as to wade in it's waters.

This is at the top of the largest of the falls.

The huge granite rocks found in this park are very picturesque!

The soothing sounds of melodious music provided by nature... .

There are sandy shores on which to sunbathe.

Bald Eagles reside along the banks of the Eau Claire River and are frequently seen soaring above.

This is a quieter part of the river where people wade in to cross to the other side. If you walk along the sandbar, you won't even get your waist wet!

I didn't even see this dainty damselfly until I viewed it on the computer's screen!

More images to view:

We can't wait to go back! --LKR