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These Endangered Herons Are Creatures of the Night
In the heron family of birds, great egrets and great blue herons get a lot of attention, but there’s another heron that’s worth getting...
6 hours ago4 min read


Get to Know the Chubby-Cheeked Chipmunk
In North America, the rodent family of mammals is a big one. It includes everything from big beavers to tiny pygmy shrews. Somewhere in...
May 94 min read


Can You Spot the Spots? All About the Spotted Turtle
As the weather warms, it’s common to see more and more turtles basking in the sun. You might be able to recognize the size of a snapping...
May 62 min read


Wild Relatives: The Mighty Harpy Eagle an Impressive Bird
Editor’s note: Our Wild Relatives story series will explore the connections between our local wildlife species and related animals from...
Apr 294 min read


Beavers Are Animal Kingdom's Best Engineers
Did you know that after humans, beavers are the species that have the largest impact on their environment? If you have taken a walk in...
Apr 44 min read


Digging Deep: The Secret Life of American Badgers
American badgers are one of many burrowing mammals that live across northern Illinois. They are easy to identify thanks to the bold...
Mar 285 min read


A Sneak Peek Into the Life of a Barn Owl
You’re out in a field after dark. You see the outline of a barn in the distance. Stars twinkle overhead. All is quiet and calm. Suddenly,...
Mar 44 min read


Trumpeter Swans: Big Birds With a Bold Call
A large white bird out on the water is most likely a swan. Here in Illinois, we see three different swan species: mute swans, tundra...
Feb 275 min read


Weasel Wonders: Learn All About These Creatures
Have you ever seen a weasel? Weasels aren't rare critters, but they are unfamiliar to most people because they are not often seen even in...
Jan 314 min read


Pocket Gophers Are Tiny Digging Machines
Mother Nature is currently accepting resumes for the following position: underground support.  Position includes long hours digging...
Jan 213 min read


Get To Know the Mallard, Our Most Familiar Duck
When you walk around our local lakes, ponds and rivers, there is a good chance you will see mallards in and around the water. They are...
Jan 175 min read


Flying Squirrels Glide Through the Sky With Ease
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a squirrel? It turns out there are flying squirrels, but they don’t fly like birds and bats do. These...
Dec 31, 20244 min read


Mistaken ID: Northern Harriers Often Confused for Owls
Is that an owl flying over that grassland? Close! It’s the most owl-like hawk around: the northern harrier. They are great fun to watch...
Dec 10, 20243 min read


Hold Your Nose: Five Fun Facts About Skunks
Skunks are more than just stink and stripes. There's probably a lot you don't know about them, including about their well-known defense mech
Dec 5, 20244 min read


The Gray Wolf Is the Top Dog of the Canine Family
They are playful, intelligent and devoted to family. They care for their sick, educate their young and have complex social lives. Are we...
Nov 6, 20244 min read


Get to Know the Secret Lives of Eastern Red Bats
It’s spooky season! Look at all the spiderwebs, bones and bats decorating your neighborhood. Why not learn about the actual animals that...
Oct 15, 20243 min read


The Green Heron Is a Bird That Defies Expectations
As you walk along a pond or river trail, it’s common to see and hear evidence of animals nearby — water rings where a fish just jumped,...
Sep 20, 20243 min read


Don't Swat These Bugs; Crane Flies Are Harmless
Don't swat next time you see what you think is a giant mosquito. Get a good look instead because it might not be a mosquito at all....
Sep 17, 20242 min read


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...
Sep 13, 20243 min read


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...
Sep 6, 20244 min read
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