Good Natured

Pussy Willow

Named for the gray buds of its male flowers, our native pussy willow is an important source of pollen and nectar for early spring insects.

Skunk Cabbage

Skunk cabbage in bloom. Later in spring the plant will unfurl its large leaves that, yes, are just as stinky as its flowers. Meanwhile the…

Turtle Courtship

Courtship in the turtle world can include many behaviors, including the fluttering of the foreclaws in a display known as titillation.

Head Banging Curiosity

Knock on wood: Instead of singing to declare their territory, woodpeckers drum on trees and other resonant surfaces. Several structural adaptations protect the birds’ brains…

How Much Salt?

More salt doesn’t mean more melting power. Chloride from excess salt infiltrates our streams and groundwater and puts aquatic life and freshwater resources at risk.

Nature Snack Time

Voles can be differentiated from mice by their rounded, chunky bodies and short tails. Roughly the shape of a small baked potato, they are a…

Buttons

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, freshwater mussels were harvested from many local waterways to supply material for a booming button industry. But as…

Goldeneyes

The bright yellow eyes of the male goldeneye aren’t the only things to look for in this distinctive species. Watch for animated courtship displays as…

Jumping Spiders

With large eyes and fuzzy bodies, jumping spiders frequently are referred to as the ‘teddy bears’ of the spider world. About 350 species occur throughout…

Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers

Although the last undisputed sighting dates to 1944, some experts still question whether the ivory-billed woodpecker, shown here as a taxidermy mount, should be declared…

Northern Cardinals

Cardinals get their names-both common and scientific-from the males’ bright red plumage, which is similar in color to the vestments of Catholic cardinals. Females and…

Heated Birdbaths

How do you host a wild bird bash in the middle of winter? Just add water…to a heated birdbath.

Cranes

No doubt about it, things are looking up here at Good Natured World Headquarters. Ah, but maybe I should clarify. By “things” I mean me,…

Chickadees

Chickadees make frequent trips to birdfeeders as they cache, or stash, the food items they’ll need to survive in winter.

Oriental Bittersweet

Oriental bittersweet, an aggressive invader of woodlands, has become naturalized across northeastern Illinois.

Shrimp of the Woods

Puffy, blobby and white, the mushroom known as shrimp of the woods is valued by some foragers of wild edibles for its texture and flavor.…

Oil Beetles

Look, but don’t touch! Meloe spp. oil beetles pack a powerful chemical defense, but also feature a life cycle with astounding intricacies.

Kane County Certified Naturalists

Participants in the Kane County Certified Naturalist program learn about local ecology through a combination of coursework and field trips to area parks and preserves.

Fall Colors

Thanks to warmer-than-usual temperatures, many trees held onto their green color–that is, their chlorophyll–until late October this year.

Chicken of the Woods

Back in the 1960s, marketers of a certain brand of tuna came up with a catchy jingle: “Ask any mermaid you happen to see, What’s…

Blue Jays

When you think of nuts – the kind that grow on trees – it’s hard not to think of squirrels. They are, after all, the…

Eastern Parson Spiders

As the temperatures start to cool, don’t be surprised if a parson comes to your door. Actually, he, or she, might instead come to your…

Bees, Wasps and Impostors!

Oh, bees. We think we know them, but do we really? A couple of recent incidents reminded me that bees-that familiar group of herbivorous and…

Milksnakes

The woman’s voice quavered as she described her predicament. “I have a milkshake on my driveway,” she squeaked over the phone, her words barely discernible…

Secret Identity-The Carnivore Chipmunk

Secret identities. Our popular culture is full of them. Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent takes off his glasses, dons a cape and then, faster than…

Goldenrod

Next to my fireplace hangs a slab of cedar, a fine piece of functional artwork that features a bottle opener alongside the words, “Beauty is…

Rattlesnake Master

Walking up to Hickory Knolls, our wonderful nature center, I never cease to be struck by the abundance of beauty displayed by our native wildflowers.…

Prairie Dropseed

Mmm…popcorn. I love the way it looks. I love the way it tastes. I love the way it smells, too. And golly, I’ve been smelling…

Cicadas

To paraphrase an old saying, “Behind every great male, there’s a great female.” Most folks I know would agree but, if you’d like more proof,…

Barn Swallows

The neighbor’s kids were out the other day, chattering excitedly as they soaked up some summer sun. It was snack time – seems like it’s…

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