Turtles Out of Water: Box Turtles Are Land Lovers
When you think of turtles, what comes to mind? You might first think of their hard, protective shells. Or maybe you think about how...
top of page
Willy's Wilderness
Willy's Wilderness
Search
- Sep 6
- 4 min
Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Common Spider This Fall
Who is that yellow, black and white patterned spider you found in your yard? It’s big, has eight long legs and an unusual web, and it is...
- Aug 27
- 4 min
Ordinary Flies Have Some Amazing Superpowers
We tend to swat flies away — from our faces, our food, our houses. But what if we took a closer look instead? Flies are so common, and...
- Jul 9
- 3 min
Bugs That Look Like Turtles? Meet Tortoise Beetles
Is that a turtle? Nope, it’s a beetle with some very cool features and behaviors! Tortoise beetles are tiny, cute and often striking....
- Jun 28
- 3 min
The Rose-Breasted Grosbeak: A Sweet-Singing Bird
For many people, the sight of a rose-breasted grosbeak at a backyard bird feeder or flitting about a forest is a welcome one. These birds...
- Jun 11
- 3 min
The Sweet History of the Honeybee
What do you think of when you hear the word bee? Do images of honey and hives come to mind? Or maybe the buzzing sound they make? There...
- May 28
- 3 min
Eastern Musk Turtles Are Small but Mighty
The eastern musk turtle, or common musk turtle, is one of the smallest turtles not only here in Will County, but all over the world! But don
- May 10
- 3 min
Whole Lot of Holes: Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers Leave Signs of Presence
Woodpeckers are one of those types of birds we can count on seeing all year long in northern Illinois. Even in the dead of winter, we can...
- Apr 16
- 4 min
The Secret Life of Tiger Salamanders
Did you know Illinois has a state amphibian? It’s the tiger salamander. Have you ever seen one? Most people answer no when asked this...
- Apr 2
- 3 min
Brown-headed Cowbirds Rely on Tricks for Successful Nesting
A rise in practical jokes and tricks happens in homes, schools and workplaces thanks to April Fool’s Day. Do animals have any tricks up...
- Mar 19
- 3 min
Feisty Red-winged Blackbirds Make Presence Known
Red-winged blackbirds are one of our most familiar and recognizable birds. We recognize them both because of their appearance and because...
- Mar 12
- 3 min
Eyes to the Skies: Red-Tailed Hawks are High Flyers
Have you seen a red-tailed hawk? Probably! They are all around, especially in colder months. You just have to know how to spot them....
- Mar 8
- 4 min
Dig It: Little-Seen Voles Live Their Lives Underground
If you think about the animals that live just below our feet, what comes to mind? Probably ants and other insect species. Or maybe...
- Feb 9
- 4 min
European Starlings: The Stars of the Sky
Many fascinating birds flock to our feeders and fly across the sky, so it’s easy to overlook a few. Below are five facts about one of the...
- Feb 2
- 4 min
Opossums: The Worst Winter Survivalists
Did you know opossums are tropical animals? How the heck did these heat-loving marsupials end up hanging out in Illinois during our...
- Jan 23
- 5 min
Squirreling Around: Five Fast Facts About Squirrels
Thinking about the most common animals we see in Illinois might bring several creatures to mind. If you narrow it down to mammals, a few...
- Jan 12
- 2 min
Ducks Unlimited: Ruddy Ducks Among Our Many Ducks
There are more than 130 different types of ducks worldwide! About 30 are native to the United States. Some common Illinois ducks include...
- Jan 2
- 3 min
Frozen Frogs? It's a Winter Survival Skill
What if you heard there was a creature that could freeze solid like a Popsicle, stay frozen for months and then defrost and go on its way...
- Dec 22, 2023
- 4 min
Explore the Night Life of Barred Owls
Two worlds collide in winter. In summer, the sky stays bright until bedtime or even later. As humans head to sleep, nocturnal animals...
- Dec 15, 2023
- 4 min
Crows Are Among the Smartest Birds Around
American crows aren't viewed favorably by many people. Maybe it's because they have long been viewed as an omen of death, or because they...
bottom of page