Good Natured

Dragon Wheels

Rather than round, the wheel formation of these mating damselflies is nearly heart shaped.

Green Darners

Like a fighter pilot on patrol, this green darner dragonfly scans his territory for prey as well as rival males.

Baby Pictures

Just like human babies, insect babies–also known as larvae–sometimes bear little resemblance to the adults they become.

European Earwigs

Hello in there! Earwig droppings contain an aggregation pheromone that attracts both adults and nymphs, resulting in earwig clusters like this one inside some milkweed…

Menard County Tour

Rolling hills and wide-open spaces characterize the landscape of downstate Menard County IL.

Bladderwort

The translucent ‘balloons’ on this sprig of bladderwort take in nutrients in the form of tiny arthropods. The other animals in the picture, such as…

Red-winged Blackbirds

Perched atop a small hackberry tree, a male red-winged blackbird eyes a curious naturalist walking along the Fox River Trail in Geneva.

Cicada Pressure

Miles from home, a displaced cicada sits, silently, as his next adventure awaits.

Basswood Flowers

Neither bumble bees nor naturalists can resist the sweet smell of Tilia blossoms; the aromas are equally alluring-and perhaps even more so-at night.

Polyphemus Cocoon Part Two

A newly emerged male polyphemus moth rests after his recent emergence from his home of seven months, the cocoon on the right.

Polyphemus Cocoon Part One

A newly emerged male polyphemus moth rests after his recent emergence from his home of seven months, the cocoon on the right.

A handsome hover fly, which developed from a larva known as a rat-tailed maggot (or ‘mousie’ to ice fisher-people; see inset) pauses on top of a flower. Inset photo courtesy of Kim Haag; hover fly photo courtesy of Heather Broccard-Bell. May 24, 2024 As a little kid, I was really lucky. I had parents who

Eastern Phoebes

Eastern phoebes show a preference for nesting in sheltered locations. They’ll also refurbish and reuse their nests, often returning to the same site year after…

Periodical Cicadas Pt. 3

In preparation for the performance of its life, a periodical cicada emerges from its nymphal exoskeleton. The dark spots behind the eyes are clusters of…

Periodical Cicadas Pt. 2

Cicadas are clumsy flyers that travel only short distances. To figure out whether you should expect Brood XIII periodical cicadas in your neighborhood this year,…

Periodical Cicadas

Periodical cicadas are predicted to emerge throughout northern Illinois in just a few weeks. But will their appearance live up to all the hype? Photo…

Red Admiral Butterflies

Its wings angled toward the afternoon sun, a red admiral soaks up some warming rays at Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles.

Sapsucker Ecology

As a female yellow-bellied sapsucker methodically drills her sapwells, two flies (left) arrive to inspect her progress and, soon, partake of a sweet treat.

Schreckstoff

Danger, yellow bullheads! Danger! The schreckstoff, or ‘scary stuff’ present in the skin cells of the fish in this heron’s bill likely saved other bullheads…

Ferson Creek Fen Bunnies

On a sunny day in April 2014, persons unknown left this box of bunnies at Ferson Creek Fen in St. Charles. Photo courtesy of Tim…

Salamander Monitoring

After being counted, measured and sexed, tiger salamanders in the St. Charles Park District monitoring program are released in their breeding pond. The presence of…

Closeup of an Tapinoma sessile ant walking on green grass

Odorous House Ants Pt. 2

Odorous house ants’ natural habitat is outdoors but, drawn by easy access to food and shelter, they often find their way into homes.

Odorous House Ants Pt. 1

Small bordering on teensy, Tapinoma sessile measures just under 1/8-in. in length. Pictured here next to a toothpick, it’s an ant that shows up regularly…

Ross’s Goose

Smaller than most geese, the Ross’s goose is an unusual sighting in Kane County. Photo courtesy of Gordon Garcia.

Aberrant Coloration

This hairy woodpecker, identified by the size of its bill rather than its plumage, this winter has been an infrequent visitor to a birdfeeder in…

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy woodpeckers can be distinguished from downies by their larger size, larger bill in relation to the head and a lack of spots on the…

Robins in winter??

Robins in winter?? Plentiful food, water and shelter have led to year-round success for this popular, and populous, species.

Spongy Gypsy Moth Mt. St.-Mary MSM 7.28.2023

Hitchhikers Pt 2

Despite attempts to eradicate it, the spongy (formerly gypsy) moth continues to impact trees throughout our area. This female, full of eggs, was found in…

Hitchhikers

With big claws and an attitude to match, the rusty crayfish was brought to Illinois intentionally for use as fishing bait. It then hitched around…

Esther Duncan Snail

Having hitched a ride to Illinois from California, and despite a fractured shell, this snail is now living comfortably in a terrarium in DeKalb County.

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