A Fall Stroll Through Busse Woods

We have been blessed with yet another spectacular fall weekend! Today, we opted to spend some of the afternoon wandering through Busse Woods.

A few fall leaves remain.

Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village is rather large and has quite a few options for recreation. We did not visit Busse Lake today but it is open to canoes, kayaks and rowboats. The lake is stocked with fish for fishing.

Hiking and biking path

We walked a paved hiking path which is also a bike path. Nearly all of the leaves are gone from the trees. But, we enjoyed observing the moss that barren trees exposed. Plus, birds and nests were easier to see. We spotted chickadees, a downy woodpecker and a red capped woodpecker.

The pedestrian bridge crossing Higgins Road joining two parts of Busse Woods.

The preserve includes a pedestrian bridge which affords nice views of planes arriving and departing O'Hare. The bridge crosses Higgins and makes for a safe way to walk from one side of the preserve to the other.

Elk munching on a fall day.

One portion of the preserve contains a 17-acre enclosed Elk Pasture. The resident elk herd was started in 1925 and a visit provides for a fun little aside. You can view them from outside of the enclosure but are asked to refrain from feeding them.

Trees standing and fallen create natural art.

The preserve does have groves with picnic tables and several restrooms at parking lots and trail heads. I do recommend checking the map before heading on one of the trails. The preserve also hosts events including a yearly powwow. Another wonderful natural treasure in the Chicago suburbs!