Photo Caption: Talk about a tough nut to crack! Lacking sharp rodent incisors, humans usually need to resort to hammers or other such tools to open and enjoy the sweet taste of the shagbark hickory nut. Shagbark Hickory Nuts September 15, 2017 I’ll admit it. I’m a cookie-dough freak. Even though I know full well that […]
Good Natured, Plant
Photo Caption: Afflicted with sarcoptic mange, this coyote recently was spotted in broad daylight near Randall Road in St. Charles. Sarcoptic Mange May 19, 2017 Itchy and Scratchy. They’re more than just cartoon characters on television’s The Simpsons. They’re also the way a number of St. Charles coyotes are feeling these days. Unlike the TV […]
Good Natured, Plant
Photo Caption: Those blaze orange, oozy and gelatinous growths on cedar trees are perhaps the most obvious phase in the fascinating life cycle of cedar-apple fungus. (Photo credit: pippalou at MorgueFile.com) Cedar-Apple Fungus May 12, 2017 Regardless of how long you live somewhere, or how well you think you know your surroundings, you’re one day bound […]
Good Natured, Plant
Photo Caption: Our local species of mole, the eastern or common mole, is also known as Scalopus aquaticus, which would indicate an association with water. Alas, this species is the least aquatic of the North American moles, although it does a fairly good job of “swimming” through soil in search of invertebrates on which to […]
Good Natured, Mammal, Plant