Willy's Wilderness

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6 days ago
3 min

Heard But Not Seen: Coyotes Thrive In The Dark

Have you ever woken up late at night and heard an eerie howl? Or have you been outside at dusk and a yip, yip, yiiiip broke through the q...

Jul 31
2 min

Dig This: American Badgers Are Digging Machines

The American badger is an always present but not often seen animal across Will County and much of Illinois. They are mostly nocturnal, an...

Jul 23
2 min

What's That Buzzing Around? Hummingbird or Moth?

If you are a hummingbird lover, you’re going to love the clearwing sphinx moths too. These critters look like a hummingbird, sound like a...

Jul 10
2 min

Young Dragonflies Look Nothing Like Adult Versions

Did you know dragonflies swim? Not the adults – they’re the colorful flyers who zip around. We’re talking about younger dragonflies. They...

Jul 2
2 min

A Snake In Your Yard? It's Likely A Garter Snake

Chances are, if you’ve seen a snake in your yard it was a garter snake. That’s because the garter snake is the most common snake in Illin...

Jun 26
2 min

Is That Spit On That Plant? Nope, Just A Spittlebug

Have you ever walked along the trail or in your own garden and noticed a big glob of spit on a plant? Well, it wasn’t left by a human; it...

Jun 5
2 min

Bluegills Are Common, But Can You Identify One?

The bluegill is the state fish of Illinois. It is one of the most common fish in our rivers, lakes and ponds. They are also a popular cat...

May 29
2 min

Blue-Spotted Salamander Sports Rare Flash of Blue In Animal Kingdom

Blue isn’t a very popular color in the animal kingdom. When we think of blue animals, a few birds usually come to mind: blue jays, great ...

May 22
3 min

Flying Squirrels: The Pilots of the Forest

To fly without wings takes guts. Would you do it? Of course not! But it’s something flying squirrels do every night as they glide through...

May 1
3 min

Bobcats in Illinois? You Bet

Bobcats live throughout our state, although they are much more common in the southern counties of Illinois. No matter where they live, th...

Apr 24
2 min

Illinois' Monster: A Creature From The Past

Illinois was once home to one of the most interesting and confusing animals — the Tullimonstrum gregarium, known as the Tully monster. Yo...

Apr 3
2 min

These Little Stinkers Give Plenty Of Warnings

The striped skunk is one of the most recognizable mammals in our area. They are known for their signature black and white stripes and the...

Mar 24
3 min

Welcome The Warblers Back To Will County

Springtime brings in new life all around. Frogs call out from the wetlands, songbirds sing from the treetops and wildflowers break throug...

Mar 17
2 min

Tiny Spring Peepers Create The Sounds Of Spring

There are many signs that spring has sprung, and one of the loudest is a tiny little frog known as the spring peeper. This frog is very a...

Mar 3
2 min

Are You As Squirrelly As A Squirrel?

Have your parents or your teachers ever told you you’re acting squirrelly? They mean you’re being a little hyper or overactive. The word,...

Feb 25
2 min

Water Birds: The Swans of Will County

Three different species of swans call Will County home at least for a little while each year. Swans are large white birds with long necks...

Feb 11
3 min

Do-Do-Do You Know About the Chickadee-Dee-Dee?

Looking for signs of life in February? Check out a bird feeder or look out the window. You’ll be delighted to see all kinds of birds flit...

Jan 28
4 min

Oh, Deer: These Beloved Creatures Now Abundant in Illinois

The sight of a deer in the distance often makes us stop in our tracks to admire these creatures from afar. But be still and quiet, becaus...

Jan 24
1 min

You Might Recognize This Woodpecker From TV

Did you know the animated cartoon character Woody the Woodpecker shares many of the same characteristics as a pileated woodpecker? Better...

Dec 31, 2019
2 min

Love Them Or Hate Them, Raccoons Are Crafty Critters

Raccoons are one of the most common animals in Illinois. They are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. We don’t often see the...

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