It was an “Eek!” heard round the world. Or at least in every corner of our humble campus apartment. My college roommate Alisan, one of…
House Centipedes
Momma D. the Fishing Spider
Every year when Mother’s Day rolls around, Hallmark reminds us just how many animals are great moms. We see cards with dogs and their puppies;…
Becoming a Moth-er
Some of you might be aware, I’ve been a naturalist my whole life. But it’s only been a career since the year 2000. Prior to…
Nature Embassy
Some of you have noticed, and a few have even called to comment on the fact that my role at the St. Charles Park District…
Boom & Bust Cycles of Acorn Production
It’s a nature fact we all learn pretty early in life: Oak trees produce acorns. Except…sometimes they don’t. Now by this I don’t mean they…
Braconid Wasps
Judging by the yields in the community garden plots at James O. Breen Community Park in St. Charles, 2019 is a big year for local…
Crane Flies
The other night a large, mosquito-like insect was flying around the kitchen. I waited until it landed, then let it outside. Not five minutes later,…
Chimney Swifts – Part 2
Last week we relayed the story of two young chimney swifts who found themselves in a spot of trouble, and the people who came to…
Chimney Swifts
The other night around 8:30 my phone started blowing up with texts that, at that moment, were going to have to go unanswered. I was…
Stag Beetles
The heady aroma of fine cigars. The rise and fall of male voices, punctuated with deep, booming laughter. It didn’t take a girl popping out…