Five Wild Facts About Oh-So-Common Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are a snake most people are familiar with because of how common they are across most of the United States. If you see a...
Willy's Wilderness
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- 3 days ago
- 3 min
Bluegills Are Adapted for Success in Our Waterways
Bluegills, Lepomis macrochirus, are one of the most common fish around. They are found in freshwater streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and...
- Aug 30
- 3 min
Ant or Spider? This Creature Doesn't Want You To Know
After your first glance at this creature, what did you think you were looking at? An ant? A spider? Now look closely. What do you see...
- Aug 23
- 3 min
Meet the Incredible Mr. (and Miss) Fox
Red foxes are awesome! They can run up to 30 miles per hour for short distances. They leave toys out for their young. And they are the...
- Aug 16
- 4 min
Five Fun Facts About Wiggly Worms
We don't often think about what's happening right under our feet, but there's plenty of life down there. One of the most populous and...
- Aug 9
- 3 min
Don't Shoo This Fly; Mayflies Are Important, Beneficial
This is the time of year when, if you are observant, you may see adult giant mayflies calmly resting on a leaf, stem or even a trail....
- Jul 29
- 4 min
Moths Aren't Just Drab, Boring Butterflies
In the animal kingdom, moths are considered butterflies' ugly stepsisters. They're not as beautiful as butterflies. They’re not as...
- Jul 26
- 6 min
Dragonflies and Damselflies: Learn the Difference
Look at almost any body of water during the summer and you will see thin-bodied, large-winged, jewel-toned insects darting over the...
- Jul 15
- 4 min
Get All the Buzz on Busy Bumblebees
What is super hairy and has a mustache? It’s not just your dad; it could be a bumblebee too! We recognize these big, friendly pollinators...
- Jul 15
- 3 min
This Reptile Has No Legs, but It's Not a Snake
If you think about legless reptiles, snakes probably quickly come to mind, but there are other legless reptiles slithering across the...
- Jun 28
- 4 min
Learn All About Bullfrogs, Our Biggest Frog Friend
The biggest frog in Illinois and all of North America is the American bullfrog. It is a pretty common sight along the water's edge, but...
- Jun 24
- 2 min
Blinded Sphinx Moth Not Really Blind At All
The hawk moth family, or family Sphingidae, includes many of the largest moth species around. Moths from this family that you may know...
- Jun 7
- 3 min
Lawn Lobsters: Have You Ever Seen a Crayfish in Your Yard?
Look out for the lawn lobster! Did you know you might find crayfish in your yard? Or in the meadow nearby? We mostly think of them as...
- Jun 3
- 4 min
Five Facts About Those Ever-Present Canada Geese
Canada geese are one of the most well-known and widespread birds, but they definitely don't make many favorite lists. All year long you...
- May 31
- 4 min
Chimney Swifts Are Always Flying and Always Eating
Chimney swifts are birds with a very appropriate name. Not only do they prefer to nest in chimneys, they are also a sooty gray color....
- May 20
- 2 min
Racerunners One of Will County's Only Lizards
If you think about the reptiles that live around our homes and neighborhoods, you probably think of snakes and maybe turtles. But did you...
- May 10
- 4 min
Learn To Speak the Red-Winged Blackbird's Language
Known for their song and aggressive behaviors, red-winged blackbirds are one of the easiest birds to identify in Will County. It’s all in...
- May 6
- 3 min
This Frog Is All Around, But They Like To Blend In
One of the roles of the Forest Preserve of District of Will County is to provide and restore healthy habitats for a diverse and abundant...
- Apr 29
- 4 min
Five Facts About Graceful Great Egrets
Our tallest birds are among our most elegant, and the great egret certainly fits into this group of regal birds. Great egrets are one of...
- Apr 22
- 3 min
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds Are Small But Fierce
The tiny ruby-throated hummingbird is often deemed the cutest bird around. Sure, they buzz when they fly, their feathers shimmer in the...