Explore the Night Life of Barred Owls
Two worlds collide in winter. In summer, the sky stays bright until bedtime or even later. As humans head to sleep, nocturnal animals...
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Willy's Wilderness
Willy's Wilderness
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Dec 15, 20234 min
Crows Are Among the Smartest Birds Around
American crows aren't viewed favorably by many people. Maybe it's because they have long been viewed as an omen of death, or because they...
Dec 8, 20233 min
Hardy Winter Stoneflies Thrive in Cold Conditions
Other than the spiders diligently eating tiny bugs in our homes all winter long, we usually associate bugs with warmer weather and give...
Nov 16, 20234 min
Want To Find Wood Ducks? Check The Trees
Our waters are home to many duck species, but none as ornate as the wood duck, which looks like a duck dressed up for a special occasion....
Nov 14, 20234 min
A Fish That Looks Like an Alligator? This Gar Does
Gar belong to a group of prehistoric fish, with many fossilized species dating back to the Jurassic Period. That is when dinosaurs roamed...
Nov 2, 20233 min
The Calls of the Common Loon Send a Message
Birds make a lot of noise in the woods, especially songbirds like cardinals, blue jays and robins. But one species of bird is a great...
Oct 17, 20234 min
Bird on a Wire: Look for American Kestrels Overhead
American kestrels are stunning, speedy, colorful, dive-bombing predators in tiny packages. Scan utility pole wires along fields and you...
Oct 13, 20233 min
Tri-Colored Bats Fit Right in During Halloween Season
Close your eyes and picture a bat. What color did you imagine? How big or small? Did you picture a furry, black body with black wings? If...
Oct 3, 20234 min
Praying Mantises Are Masters at Blending In
Most of the insects we are familiar with are tiny little things, but praying mantises are among the giants of the insect world. The...
Sep 15, 20233 min
Pelicans Make Quite A Splash on Their Migratory Pitstops
Twice a year, when migrating, American white pelicans pass through Will County. These large, unmistakable birds stop in our waterways for...
Sep 12, 20234 min
Jump Right Into These Grasshopper Facts
Some of our most common insects remain mostly unseen, but that's not the case with grasshoppers. The songs of male grasshoppers are part...
Sep 1, 20233 min
Who You Calling Big Mouth? Our Bass Explained
Bass are popular catches for anglers. They put up an exciting fight on the fishing line and taste good too. You hear about largemouth and...
Aug 29, 20234 min
Five Fast Facts About Underappreciated Toads
What looks a lot like a frog but doesn't jump like a frog or eat like a frog? A toad. Toads and frogs are both amphibians, and species of...
Aug 22, 20234 min
Milkweed Beetles Will Have You Seeing Red
Red milkweed beetles are gorgeous pops of color in a sea of green. These charming, interesting insects are great fun to check out on hot...
Jul 31, 20233 min
Tiny Saw-Whet Owls Defy Your Owl Expectations
When you think about owls, what comes to mind? Large birds that hoot in the night? That may be true of some owls, but northern saw-whet...
Jul 27, 20235 min
Five Facts About Misunderstood Bats
Whatever you think you know about bats, there's a chance at least some of it is false. For instance, bats aren't blind. Most actually...
Jul 11, 20234 min
Five Facts About Fast-Flying Dragonflies
Spend any time near the water in the summer and there's one thing you're almost sure to see: a dragonfly. The insects are noticeable...
Jun 30, 20233 min
Bald Eagles Are as American as Apple Pie
Barbecues, bright fireworks and bald eagles. That pretty much sums up the Fourth of July! Bald eagles might be one of the most famous...
Jun 27, 20235 min
Five Fun Facts About Hard-Working Ants
Ants have a reputation for being hard workers. They always seem to be busy, marching here, there and everywhere, and they seem impossibly...
Jun 23, 20233 min
I Spy: Houseflies Always Seem To Be Nearby
I spy something that can fly and transform through metamorphosis and likes to hang out near people. Look around, and you’ll probably spy...
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