Willy's Wilderness

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7 days ago
2 min

The Science Behind A Fishing Spider's Superpower

Have you ever wished that you could have a superpower? Maybe you want to fly, run like a flash or be invisible. Well, the fishing spider ...

Oct 6
2 min

Beloved Monarchs Easy To Identify, Admire

Butterflies and moths flutter around us all summer, but we don’t always know what kind of winged creature it is flying by. Not so with mo...

Sep 22
3 min

Fox Snakes May Act Tough, But They Are Harmless

“How much do you know about snakes?” someone asked recently when calling Plum Creek Nature Center. Answering the phones at a nature cente...

Sep 11
3 min

The Bold Jumping Spider Looks And Acts The Part

The bold jumping spider is one of the most common jumping spiders in North America. They are found in forests, prairies, farmland, yards,...

Sep 1
2 min

Common And Cute: Learn More About Cottontail Rabbits

If you’ve ever seen a cottontail rabbit, you can probably guess how it got its name. Their tails look just like cotton balls. Aside from ...

Aug 11
2 min

These Tiny Catfish Pack A Punch

Have you ever gone netting in a river or a pond, looking for tadpoles and minnows, only to scoop out a tiny catfish? You didn’t even have...

Aug 4
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...

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