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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Heated Birdbaths
How do you host a wild bird bash in the middle of winter? Just add water…to a heated birdbath.
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Chickadees
Chickadees make frequent trips to birdfeeders as they cache, or stash, the food items they’ll need to survive in winter.
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Oriental Bittersweet
Oriental bittersweet, an aggressive invader of woodlands, has become naturalized across northeastern Illinois.
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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.…
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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.
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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.
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Fall Colors
Thanks to warmer-than-usual temperatures, many trees held onto their green color–that is, their chlorophyll–until late October this year.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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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Brown Anoles
Don’t you just love life’s little surprises? You reach in your coat pocket and find a forgotten $5 bill. Yay! You run into an old…
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Joe-Pye Weed
Mmmmm. Pie. Is there anything more delectably satisfying than a nice pie? My own preferences run toward a double-crust fruity variety, with the top five…
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Mantidflies
So the other day I went to Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles to take some photos of Joe Pye weed, a favorite summertime bloom.…
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Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels
“That’s not a chipmunk.” The astute visitor, wise beyond his 4 1/2 years, stubbornly stood by his resolution, while his companions (people who, I’m guessing,…
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Wool-Carder Bees
I got quite the buzz while working in the garden the other day. No, I’m not growing the devil’s lettuce. And I wasn’t slaking my…
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Queen Snakes
Except for one time, nearly 35 years ago, when I found myself eating ice cream in a supermarket with Prince Andrew and his then-wife Sarah,…
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