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.
Read MoreNamed for the gray buds of its male flowers, our native pussy willow is an important source of pollen and nectar for early spring insects.
Read MoreSkunk cabbage in bloom. Later in spring the plant will unfurl its large leaves that, yes, are just as stinky as its flowers. Meanwhile the…
Read MoreCourtship in the turtle world can include many behaviors, including the fluttering of the foreclaws in a display known as titillation.
Read MoreKnock on wood: Instead of singing to declare their territory, woodpeckers drum on trees and other resonant surfaces. Several structural adaptations protect the birds’ brains…
Read MoreMore 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.
Read MoreVoles can be differentiated from mice by their rounded, chunky bodies and short tails. Roughly the shape of a small baked potato, they are a…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreWith large eyes and fuzzy bodies, jumping spiders frequently are referred to as the ‘teddy bears’ of the spider world. About 350 species occur throughout…
Read MoreAlthough 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…
Read MoreCardinals 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…
Read MoreHow do you host a wild bird bash in the middle of winter? Just add water…to a heated birdbath.
Read MoreChickadees make frequent trips to birdfeeders as they cache, or stash, the food items they’ll need to survive in winter.
Read MoreOriental bittersweet, an aggressive invader of woodlands, has become naturalized across northeastern Illinois.
Read MorePuffy, blobby and white, the mushroom known as shrimp of the woods is valued by some foragers of wild edibles for its texture and flavor.…
Read MoreLook, but don’t touch! Meloe spp. oil beetles pack a powerful chemical defense, but also feature a life cycle with astounding intricacies.
Read MoreParticipants in the Kane County Certified Naturalist program learn about local ecology through a combination of coursework and field trips to area parks and preserves.
Read MoreThanks to warmer-than-usual temperatures, many trees held onto their green color–that is, their chlorophyll–until late October this year.
Read MoreBack 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…
Read MoreAs 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…
Read MoreOh, 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreSecret identities. Our popular culture is full of them. Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent takes off his glasses, dons a cape and then, faster than…
Read MoreWalking up to Hickory Knolls, our wonderful nature center, I never cease to be struck by the abundance of beauty displayed by our native wildflowers.…
Read MoreMmm…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…
Read MoreThe 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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