Cary, Illinois
The Cary Park District lists the location on East Main Street, east of Decker Drive, in Cary. Use its current visitor page and map for directions.
Places to Explore / Illinois
Grassy paths, gravel hill prairie, and a closer look at the flowers and small discoveries of summer.
From my photo archive
These photographs bring together the open views and close-up discoveries from my visits to Sands E. Main Street Prairie. A path through the grasses leads to flowers worth slowing down for: purple Leadplant, drooping coneflower petals, and the rounded blooms of Common Milkweed.
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission lists this site under the longer name Carl and Claire Marie Sands Main Street Prairie. The Cary Park District uses Sands E. Main Street Prairie.
A rare prairie landscape
The preserve protects dry gravel hill prairie and restored prairie, with a small savanna remnant. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission describes gravel hill prairie as a once more widespread community whose remaining examples are now rare and small.
The Cary Park District acquired its property in 1990 with support from The Nature Conservancy, the Sands family, and state funding. An old dairy barn recalls the land’s farming history.
Look closer
Leadplant’s purple flower spikes and orange anthers stand out beautifully at close range. Pale Purple Coneflower offers another view of prairie detail, from its long petals to the tiny flowers packed into its central disk.
My photographs also include Wild Bergamot, Common Milkweed, Hoary Vervain, Downy Wood Mint, and Foxglove Beardtongue. The gallery pairs these smaller details with the wider setting where they were photographed.
Beyond the flowers
A Song Sparrow and tiny insect nymphs are among the wildlife captured during these visits. Looking across the prairie and then closely along its stems reveals very different scales of life.
These photographs document past visits; flowers and wildlife vary with the season and conditions.
Through my lens
A selection of 30 photographs. Select any image to open the slideshow, or reveal the remaining photographs below.
Plan your visit
The Cary Park District lists the location on East Main Street, east of Decker Drive, in Cary. Use its current visitor page and map for directions.
Stay on designated paths, leave plants and wildlife undisturbed, and follow posted preserve rules. Check the Park District’s information before visiting.