Hotshot birders call them megas, as in mega-rarity the once-in-a-lifetime events that send dedicated watchers racing for their binoculars. What are your chances, say, of spotting a painted redstart in Illinois? Almost zero.
There are hiking gems to be found within three hours of Chicago that aren’t as urban as the North Branch River Trail or as crowded as Starved Rock State Park in Utica.
The Nature Conservancy’s annual Global Photo Contest is accepting submissions through Aug. 31 and the organization is reminding Illinois residents that there are several Nature Conservancy reserves in the state from which to seek inspiration.