Twenty-one Birds Move In, Redecorate North Park Village Nature Center

By Marci Buettgen

On March 18th, just in time for spring migration, the Chicago Audubon Society formally dedicated “Birds of North Park Village Nature Center,” a permanent photo exhibit now on display inside the bird blind, next to the main building at the Nature Center, located at 5801 North Pulaski Road in northwest Chicago.

The exhibit, a 4’ x 6’ sign made of weather resistant polyvinyl, features 21 full-color photos of birds likely to been seen at various seasons of the year around the Nature Center, such as the Great Blue Heron, Cooper’s Hawk, Wood Duck, Indigo Bunting and Scarlet Tanager.

The Chicago Audubon Society organized this project with the support of corporate partner, Eagle Optics, and photographer Jerry Kumery.

“We are very grateful to our project partners. Without their cooperation, we wouldn’t have this beautiful exhibit to present to the Nature Center,” said Alan Anderson, vice president of the Chicago Audubon Society. “Every year, about 65,000 visitors come through the Nature Center and this bird photo exhibit should inspire them to see and enjoy more birds.” Anderson said.

In addition to the spectacular photos, the exhibit invites viewers to join the spring and fall bird walks sponsored, free of charge, by the Chicago Audubon Society and held at the Nature Center every Saturday at 8:00 a.m., throughout the months of April, May, September and October.

Ben Lizdas, of Eagle Optics was in town to participate in the Chicago Audubon Society’s Birding America Conference and attended the dedication ceremony. Eagle Optics, located in Middleton, Wisconsin, is the largest independent sports optics dealer in the United States, and was a major contributor to the photo exhibit. The company has a long history of support for conservation programs across the country, including the Chicago Audubon Society’s programs for beginning birders.

Jerry Kumery, who provided the exhibit’s photos, has been photographing birds, wildlife and nature for over 20 years. His travels have taken him to 16 countries on five continents. A Chicago native, he remembers getting “hooked” on birding during a bird walk around Lincoln Park in the 70s led by Chicago Audubon Society Board member, Doug Anderson, famous for his Wooded Island bird walks he leads almost every weekend to this day. More of Kumery’s remarkable photos can been seen in “The Chicago Region Birding Trail Guide,” a 27-page booklet published last summer by the City of Chicago.

North Park Village Nature Center is situated on the northwest side of Chicago and includes a forty-six acre nature preserve and an educational facility. Walking trails wind through woodlands, wetlands, prairie and savannas. The Nature Center is open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 362 days a year, and is closed only for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. For more information, or to sign up for a free quarterly newsletter, call 312/744-5472.

Partners in the bird photo exhibit project meet at the dedication: photographer Jerry Kumery, North Park Village Nature Center Director Claudia Regojo, Ben Lizdas of Eagle Optics, and Chicago Audubon Society vice president Alan Anderson. Photo by Roger Shamley