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Commentary: A cold winter in southern Illinois leads to wild thoughts

A northern cardinal finds winter respite in a live-cut Christmas tree, which can be used as habitat for all sorts of terrestrial and aquatic animals, including many birds. (Photo courtesy DNR)

One of the side effects of retirement is a person has more time to think. In my case, I’m not sure that’s productive.
During the polar vortex that gripped Middle America during January, I spent several frigid mornings driving through Sahara Woods State Recreation Area in Illinois. It’s a wild piece of property, located on ground that used to be a coal mine. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s a wildlife paradise.

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