Ground Bees – Part 2
Ground bees, as we saw last week, are some of our area’s most beneficial insects. They provide spring flowers with the much-needed service of pollination.…
Read MoreGround bees, as we saw last week, are some of our area’s most beneficial insects. They provide spring flowers with the much-needed service of pollination.…
Read MoreThe other day I was at Langum Woods in St. Charles, getting ready to work with some wonderful volunteers from Elgin Community College’S Phi Theta…
Read MoreThey’ve been common sights over the past several weeks: Billowing plumes of smoke erupting above our local parks and preserves. But instead of destruction, these…
Read MoreThursday evening it was business as usual at Hickory Knolls. I was heading out toward the picnic shelter to set up for a campfire and…
Read MoreI’ll be the first to admit, soccer has not played a big part in my life. I remember playing in a few awkward games in…
Read MorePeople laugh when I say this, but you really can tell when a reptile is content. Its body posture, for example, is relaxed but not…
Read MoreThe tiger salamander on the left displays a tail of normal length. The salamander on the right is in the process of regenerating its tail following an infection. Look closely to see the newly formed tip peeking out at the end. The Salamander and the New Tail March 16, 2018 It’s come to my attention
Read MoreBalloons, whether let go by accident or as part of an organized release, quickly transition from colorful orbs of whimsy to ugly litter. Litter waiting to land March 9, 2018 One fine spring day in 1970-something, when I was in fourth grade, our teacher gave us a writing assignment. We were learning about geography, as
Read MoreAlthough they are members of the woodpecker family, northern flickers differ from their cousins in various ways. Flickers prefer to forage on the ground and, as shown here, often perch instead of clinging to the sides of trees. They also have some of the longest tongues in bird-dom. Northern Flickers March 2, 2018 Northern flickers
Read MoreHere lies Accipiter cooperii, a Cooper’s hawk, likely an unintended victim of poison baits consumed by rodents. The unfortunate animal was brought to Hickory Knolls after having been found in a St. Charles yard. The Poison Food Chain February 23, 2018 Chances are, even if you’re not a naturalist, you’re probably acquainted with the concept
Read MoreRemarkable in many respects yet poorly adapted to winter, the Virginia opossum will often forego its nocturnal nature to forage at birdfeeders and other free food sources on all but the coldest of days. Opossums February 16, 2018 Let’s take a moment, shall we, to add up the many fine qualities of Didelphis virginiana, the
Read MoreLabeled “sharp-shinned hawk” on a stock photography website, this photo actually may depict a male Cooper’s hawk. An informal Facebook poll yielded 12 votes for Cooper’s and 1 for sharp-shinned. But an expert from the Field Museum says the angle makes it hard to be 100% sure. What do you think? Sharp-Shinned Hawk…Maybe? February 9,
Read MoreScreech owls prefer to roost in spots like tree cavities, which offer protection from the elements. Birders need sharp eyes, and a little luck, to spot these beautiful birds. Birds flock to Hickory Knolls February 2, 2018 When we lead a nature program on the Hickory Knolls grounds, some things are a given. We know
Read MoreThe tracks that proceed straight down the middle of this sidewalk show how, especially in winter, coyotes can be masters of efficiency. Not as step was wasted as the individual moved from north (top of photo) to south. Economy of Motion January 26, 2018 The other night my dog Joey and I decided to take
Read MoreDead honey bees in the snow – casualties of cleansing and scouting flights – are a sure sign that a bee tree is nearby. Finding Honey Bees January 19, 2018 Last week we took a look at the secret lives of honeybees – how they work through spring, summer and fall in order to produce
Read MoreAll for one and one for all! Fueled by their namesake food, honey bees work communally to maintain the internal temperature of their winter cluster at or near 96oF. Honey Bees January 12, 2018 Boy, talk about a honey of a deal. At a time when most insects are whiling away the hours in some
Read MoreA dark-eyed junco at Hickory Knolls braves the elements with its feathers fluffed out, a tactic that helps improve insulation from the cold. Birds in Winter January 5, 2018 This latest weather blast has me thinking of winters gone by, particularly those of my childhood. Back then, girls weren’t allowed to wear pants to school
Read MoreThe lobby of the City of St. Charles Public Works Department is one of several locations local residents can deposit their unwanted holiday lights and extension cords. Elgin Recycling will remove the copper and plastic, and donate the net proceeds from the resale to America In Bloom – St. Charles. Holiday Lights Recycling December 29,
Read MoreThis male pileated woodpecker shows off his massive beak, which is used for excavating food as well as nest cavities from dead trees. (Photo credit: BryanHanson at MorgueFile.com) Characteristics of Pileated Woodpeckers December 22, 2017 Last week in this space we pondered the presence of the pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, here in Kane County. Only
Read MoreThe crow-sized pileated woodpecker has been appearing in our area with increased frequency. If you’re not lucky enough to see the bird itself, you can still search for its distinctive excavations on dead trees or fallen logs in rich woodlands. (Photo credit: BryanHanson at MorgueFile.com) Have you spotted a pileated woodpecker? December 15, 2017 So
Read MoreDo you speak naturalist? Here’s a test: What do you call these birds, Canada geese or Canadian geese? Hint: You may need to check their passports. The Naturalist’s Language December 8, 2017 If you’ve spent much time with a naturalist, you’ve likely noticed that we tend to live in our own little world. It’s a
Read MoreA member of the bracket, or shelf, fungus family, turkey tails add a subtle hint of color to the late-fall woodland floor. Turkey Tails December 1, 2017 If turkey graced your holiday table last week, you know what this week means: The tail end of the bird. But rather than turkey soup, turkey a la
Read MoreA male red-bellied woodpecker takes advantage of the free buffet at the Hickory Knolls birdfeeders. Offering a variety of seeds, in a variety of feeder styles–tube, platform, hopper, suet–will in turn attract a variety of species. Choosing Birdseed November 24, 2017 November typically is the time folks send out invitations for holiday gatherings, be they
Read MoreFox snakes are locally common and, this time of year, sometimes turn up in garages, basements and crawlspaces. When agitated, they may shake their tails, a la rattlesnakes, but nonetheless are nonvenomous and provide free rodent control. Snakes in Fall November 17, 2017 We all have our dreams, such as fame or fortune. Mine, go
Read MoreThese giant puffballs range from small, about the size of a 16-inch softball, to medium, about the size of a volleyball, to large, about the size of a basketball. Giant Puffball November 10, 2017 Puffballs. At first glance, this word seems like it is describing pompons, or at least something fluffy. For instance, I once
Read MoreWhite-throated sparrows can be identified by their distinctive song, or by the following field marks: A striped head and bright white patch under the throat, along with a streaky or smudgy gray breast. White-throated Sparrow November 3, 2017 Poor Sam Peabody… Peabody… Peabody. I don’t know Mr. Peabody and have no idea of what events
Read MoreThe St. Charles Park District, in its efforts to support native pollinators, erected this bee house early this summer. It is located behind the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. The structure was immediately adopted by a number of native bees. You can make a smaller version of this house by stuffing native plant stems into a
Read MoreBur oak trees are known for their large acorns as well as their thick and fire-resistant bark that helps protect them during prairie and savanna fires. The oaks pictured, from the savanna behind Hickory Knolls, are all over 100 years old and still going strong. Bur Oak Trees October 20, 2017 Maybe, as an alert
Read MoreMidland brown snakes are quite common throughout the TriCities but rarely seen due to their small size and secretive nature. Brown Snakes October 13, 2017 I would guess that pretty much all of us have heard the cautionary tale of the Itsy Bitsy Spider. But how many people have heard about the Itsy Bitsy Snakes?
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