A-ha! Native plants attract native pollinators and a host of other wildlife. Here a silver-spotted skipper sips nectar from blazing star, a prairie plant that…
Plant Native!
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…
Heated Birdbaths
How do you host a wild bird bash in the middle of winter? Just add water…to a heated birdbath.
The Carcass Cam
Last week we took a Good Natured look at the notion of dreams coming true, and how the aspirations of naturalists might veer a little…
Wildlife & Feeding in Winter
We all have dreams, don’t we? I know I have several, including writing a book, hosting a talk show and making a perfect pie crust.…
Tree Cavities
You have a cavity.” For many of us, delivery of this statement evokes feelings of disappointment and maybe even gloom. Our dental hygiene regimen–all that…
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…
Baby Animals
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District June 1, 2012 Every great cause needs a poster child. Where would the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon be without “Jerry’s Kids”? And who could forget the many faces of the March of Dimes? The natural
Christmas
Ah, Christmas. What fond memories the season brings… I remember the excitement of going to bed Christmas Eve, knowing that Santa would soon be by with all the rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums a kid could handle. I also recall the joy of racing downstairs in the dim pre-dawn light and discovering packages
Irresponsible Trapping
Pam’s Perspective Pam Otto is the Manager of Nature Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District Okay, before we get started with this week’s column, there’s something I’ve got to say: If you’ve got an uninvited critter hanging around your house or yard, and you’d like it to leave, take care of