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Heron County Park with tower, boardwalk, etc. But where’s the Herons?

Heron County Park is in Vermillion County and started opened 2004. The park came about when Aqua Illinois, Inc. donated the land to the county.

In 1992, the water was increased by 4 1/2 feet and a 950 foot boardwalk was built at a cost of $145,000. After that a 30+ foot observation tower was built.

Park information and map.
Pamphlet cover.
Park information and map.
Park Pamphlet

We visited the park in the afternoon as a result didn’t see as many birds as we had hoped. We did see quite a few birds below the lily pads. Just before leaving, we saw a large white bird most like a Great Egret. John saw a big insect in midair catch another insect and I think eat it. Fortunately, he had the SLR camera in hand to take pictures. John will post the pictures and create photography article later.

The lily pads were HUGE – greater than 1 foot diameter. The stalks were at least an inch around, lush and encompassed the entire wetland area.

Lilies as far as the eye can see.

John and I are used to and love the looks of lily pad flowers. The flowers were larger than we’ve ever seen and lush. Below has the various pictures different stages of growth. Including the large

bloomed
The seed pot visible from inside the pod.
Seed pod were around 4 to 5 inches in diameter

Panoramic views from a few different spots on the boardwalk

Panoramic view from other side.
One small panoramic view of the pier.
John taking close up pictures of the flowers and seed pods.
John taking additional pictures of the flowers. I like the marshmallow clouds and pods as far as the eye can see.
Large bog of lilies behind me. The leaves are gargantuan.
The last 50 feet of the boardwalk had a large, lush cattails.
cattails behind me
Smaller bog of Lilies and part of the boardwalk.
The grass was at least 1 to 2 feet taller than John.
The grasses are at least 2 feet taller than me.
Smaller bog of Lilies and part of the boardwalk.
John taking pictures of the insect that caught another insect, and I believe eating it.
View of Tower on the boardwalk.
One the boardwalk with 30+ tower behind me.

Link to Heron County Website: Heron County Park – Vermilion County Conservation District (vccd.org)

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the Heron County Park.

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