Circle of Life – Mystery Skull
The day began pretty much like any other. We opened the building, we began some ecological restoration tasks, we found a skull. It sounds a…
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Nature’s Leftovers
If you’ve ever hosted a holiday feast, you know that leftovers are part of the deal. Some go gracefully, packed up in containers and sent…
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The Joys of a Heated Birdbath
It seemed like such a good idea at the time. For years I’ve touted the benefits of winter water sources for wildlife. And while we’ve…
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Fox vs. Coyote
The snow swirled down in big, heavy flakes-like the kind you see in a snow globe, only real. As I walked through the Hickory Knolls…
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Hairy Woodpeckers
Although the word “hairy” isn’t itself inherently bad, it’s often used to describe something that is less than ideal. A hairy situation typically is one…
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Kane County Certified Naturalists
Ready, set, net! Learn about local streams as well as other area ecosystems during the year-long nature education program for adults, Kane County Certified Naturalists. Good Natured: Kane County Certified Naturalists November 30, 2018 When was the last time you looked-I mean realllllly looked-at the shape and size of a tree bud? Or paused to
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Winter Wrens
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never really thought of the TriCities, or even the greater Chicagoland region, as a hotbed for cave dwellers.…
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Toads in Winter
We’ve all been there at one time or another: That awkward moment when you realize you’ve accidentally woken someone. Perhaps it was a phone call…
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Hermit Thrush
Not long ago Hickory Knolls had the good fortune to host several hundred seventh graders from Thompson Middle School in St. Charles. Their objective was…
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Butterflies in Winter
You’ve gotta admit, monarchs are the current darlings of the butterfly world. Markings that are easy to recognize, combined with a 2014 petition for endanger…
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Artie the Turtle
Ah, 1978. Things were sure were different then. Jimmy Carter was president. I remember this because I drew his portrait, and all those pearly white…
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Woolly Bear Caterpillars
“Where are they now?” It’s a phrase that seems custom-made for former child stars-those little darlings who sang, danced or acted their way to fame…
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American Plum
I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve had quite the plum job these past couple of weeks. Since early September we’ve been conducting Wetland Ecology…
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Blue Jay Calls
There’s no mistaking the distinctive call of the blue jay. Or is there? Most folks can easily associate this common bird with its characteristic “Jeer!”…
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Elderberries
Given what I’ve been up to lately, I’d get it if you thought I was a Brewster. Old movie buffs and high school theater veterans…
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Black Swallowtails
All the hullabaloo about monarch butterflies and their potential endangerment has led me to wonder, What’s up with black swallowtails? I started looking for them…
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Nighthawks
I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not very good at texting. Half the time I don’t realize I’ve even gotten a text. And when…
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Sound of Silence
Did you hear what I heard? Every morning for the past week or so, as I’ve crawled out of bed to greet the day, a…
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Season of Shed Skins
Well, it’s that time of year again, the Season of Shed Skins. If you don’t believe me, just go outside and take a look around.…
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Zebra Jumping Spiders
Recently my nature coworkers and I got the chance to spend some time at Primrose Farm, another fine outdoor education facility operated by the St.…
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Investigative Naturalists
Recently I came across a treasure trove of memories from my childhood, in the form of several boxes of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries.…
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Buzz Pollination
When was the last time you had a really good buzz? I’ll tell you one thing-it’s probably more recent than you think. In fact, if…
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Nature & Yardwork
Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with…
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Insect Pollinators
Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with…
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