True Illinois prairies have largely disappeared due to human development. The prairies that do exist in this area are usually restored prairies that are fairly small. By some definitions, a prairie is a landscape dominated by herbaceous plants, especially grasses. This time of year the most visible prairie plants seem to be goldenrod.
One of the larger restored prairies in our area is the Springbrook prairie.
Rolling hills covered with goldenrod occasionally punctuated by trees
Although the air temperature was in the low 40s, frost covered the plants.
Milkweed pods
Really weird looking seed pod - I don't know what this plant was, is, or will be.
This American Goldfinch interrupted breakfast to pose for me.
Same bird