Our May field trip took us to Merwin Nature Preserve (near Lexington, Illinois). We had 21 people participate. Not everyone is in the group photo as some arrived later. We conducted this joint field trip with the Herpetology Section of the Peoria Academy of Science. This is why we are including some vertebrate photos in the gallery below. We walked the trail to the north side of the Mackinaw River and encountered a number of insects and spring plants in bloom. We also went to a local restaurant for lunch after our hike. I think everyone enjoyed the excursion. We even managed to “thread the needle” with respect to inclement weather that day. I hope you enjoy these photos Ruth took during our time at Merwin Preserve. Next month, we are going to Volo Bog (in northern Illinois).