Good Natured

Marcescent Oak

Marcescence not only is a great word, but also an interesting phenomenon to observe in the winter landscape.

European Starlings

Never shy about helping themselves to free food, European starlings have made themselves at home in every one of the lower 48 states as well…

New Year’s Resolutions

Perhaps 2024 will be the year you resolve to become a better birder.

Gift Ideas

If you’ve got a naturalist on your gift list, there’s still time to track down some of these tried-and-true favorites, including pants with pockets, lip…

Milkweed Floss

The fluff in this photo is milkweed floss, carried up to a vacated bird nest by an industrious mouse. Buoyant, soft and water resistant, milkweed…

Goldenrod Galls Part Two

Round galls on the stems of goldenrod are the work of the goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis, while elliptical galls are created by a moth,…

Goldenrod Galls Part One

Inside this gumball-sized sphere, a goldenrod gall fly larva will spend the winter in diapause—insects’ version of hibernation.

Cooper’s Hawks

Mature Cooper’s hawks are blue-gray above with orangish bars across the breast and a prominent ‘Cooper’s cap’ of darker feathers on top of the head.…

Third Eyelids

Timing is everything! This unique photo depicts a red-tailed hawk’s nictitating membrane, or third eyelid, as it passes horizontally across the eye.

Hornworm Pupa

This hornworm pupa displays a prominent proboscis and wing pads-interesting in and of themselves, but even more so considering that neither feature is present on…

Kane County Certified Naturalists

The Kane County Certified Naturalist program attracts adult learners from all walks of life.

Jack-o’-lantern Fungi

Jack-o’-lantern mushrooms have many fine qualities, but edibility isn’t one of them. While not deadly, the symptoms it induces are described as ‘making one wish…

Polyphemus Caterpillar

Polyphemus caterpillars-as well as the caterpillars of many other moth and butterfly species-spend the winter among downed leaves-a great reason to “leave the leaves” until…

Icarus Flies Free

Icarus the red-tailed hawk, rendered flightless and nearly featherless by a landfill flame, today is fully recovered and flying free.

45 Years of Artie

This Monday, Columbus Day, marks 45 years that Arthur the ornate box turtle has lived as a pet. His longevity, as well as improved conservation…

Mast Year

If you think you’re seeing more nuts than usual this year, you’re not alone. Our region is experiencing an abundance of mast, or tree fruit,…

Migrating Dragonflies

The green darner, Anax junius, is the largest dragonfly in our area. Adults migrate to the warm South in winter; a new generation arrives back…

Itsy Bitsy Wolf Spiders

Briefly detained in the name of science, this female wolf spider displays a distinctive Lycosidae behavior: carrying her brood upon her back.

Measuring an inch or so in diameter, wild American plums are smaller than commercial varieties but packed with flavor. This native species also provides many benefits to local wildlife. Good Natured: American Plums September 8, 2023 A few weeks ago, on a very warm and very sunny afternoon, I set out to prepare for an