Walking around Northerly Island, it's hard to believe that this beautiful natural area was once a small airport. Today it's a bird paradise, where acres of tall grasses--a fairly unique feature along this stretch of the lake--attract birds on their way to and from warmer climes as well as regular Chicago-area residents. You might se…

Walking around Northerly Island, it's hard to believe that this beautiful natural area was once a small airport. Today it's a bird paradise, where acres of tall grasses--a fairly unique feature along this stretch of the lake--attract birds on their way to and from warmer climes as well as regular Chicago-area residents. You might see a woodcock, a red-breasted merganser, or even a short-eared owl hanging out, or look up to spot hawks and other raptors flying overhead.