The Ridges Sanctuary is named for a series of 30 ridges and swales formed by the movement of Lake Michigan over the past 1400 years. This topography provides a wide range of environmental conditions that host nearly 500 species of plants and 60 species of birds. The Ridges was founded in 1937 with an original 30 acre parcel. Over the years additional land was added and today it protects more than 1600 acres.
We enjoyed our hike out to the Solitude swale, sat a while and enjoyed the quite beauty. We were not the only ones enjoyed the sun, four turtles had crawled up on a log to enjoy it too!
Here is a view of the swale from South to North
