The hawk moth family, or family Sphingidae, includes many of the largest moth species around. Moths from this family that you may know...

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...

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...

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....

If you think about the reptiles that live around our homes and neighborhoods, you probably think of snakes and maybe turtles. But did you...

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...

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...

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...

The tiny ruby-throated hummingbird is often deemed the cutest bird around. Sure, they buzz when they fly, their feathers shimmer in the...

White-tailed deer are curious and shy creatures. They are always aware of your presence and keeping a watchful eye as they graze. They...

Great blue herons are majestic birds you can see around Will County’s marshes, rivers, ponds and lakes — basically anyplace with still or...

The common garter snake is perfectly named. It is the most common garter snake in North America. That is because it is very adaptable. It...

A loud, tapping sound coming from the forest just might be the work of a woodpecker. If that tapping is really loud, it just may be a...

What is the difference between a water bear and a moss piglet? Nothing! Both are common names for a tiny animal officially known as the...

White-tailed deer are the largest wild mammal in Illinois. They are browsing herbivores that roam the woods, sometimes entering yards and...

What animal can swim nonstop for three hours, climb trees like a champ, dive 16 feet deep, hold its breath for five minutes, purr like a...

Woodpeckers are famous for, well, pecking wood. When you imagine a woodpecker, most likely you picture a black and white bird hammering...

What do you do to protect yourself from the winter cold? You bundle up! Coats, scarfs, hats and gloves all come out of storage. Bison...

Most people know a skunk when they see one, and they will probably go to great lengths to avoid coming into close contact with it. Skunks...

Feeding the birds can be a great way to bond with nature and learn your local birds. One of the most magical things about nature is that...