Willy's Wilderness

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Feb 28, 2019
2 min

Meet Nature's Dance Off Champion: The American Woodcock

What in the world is a Woodcock? An American Woodcock is a shorebird that thought the shore was overrated. These small plump short-legged...

Feb 25, 2019
2 min

Snowy Owls Live Up to Their Name

If you take one look at a snowy owl, you can probably guess how they got their name. These snowy-white birds can be a beautiful sight, ma...

Feb 12, 2019
2 min

Have You Ever Seen a Vole?

You probably know many of Will County’s resident rodents. We have beavers, squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, and woodchucks. But one of o...

Jan 29, 2019
2 min

Groundhogs Go By Many Different Names

In honor of Groundhog Day and our mascot, Willy, here is a closer look at groundhogs. The groundhog becomes a celebrity once a year, when...

Jan 22, 2019
3 min

Butt-Breathing Snapping Turtles Are a Real Gas

Snapping Turtles bring new meaning to the words “butt breath.” But in this case it’s not an insult; it’s a way to survive! When you breat...

Jan 17, 2019
2 min

Red Foxes: The Silent Hunters

At first glance, the red fox looks like an animal you might have as a pet at home, but these creatures are designed to live in the wild. ...

Dec 17, 2018
2 min

Beavers Are Big, Busy Rodents

If anyone has ever told you that you’re busy as a beaver, they definitely know at least a little something about these crafty critters. B...

Nov 14, 2018
2 min

Wild Turkeys Aren't Just for Thanksgiving

Turkey will probably be on the menu for your Thanksgiving feast, but these birds aren’t just a source of food for us. They’re our neighbo...

Oct 29, 2018
1 min

Meet the Fast Flying Merlin

Despite a name to the contrary, there’s nothing magical or mysterious about merlin falcons. The Merlin falcon has a name that sounds a bi...

Oct 19, 2018
1 min

Turkey Vultures Are Nature's Clean-Up Crew

They'll eat things that would make you sick. Nobody will ever say turkey vultures are the prettiest bird they have ever seen. But they ma...

Oct 3, 2018
2 min

An Up-Close Look at Praying Mantises

Praying mantises are a common insect in Illinois, but their excellent camouflage means we often don’t see them even when they are near. P...

Sep 20, 2018
1 min

The Big, Beautiful and Loud Sandhill Crane

Sandhill cranes are a magnificent sight. Sandhill cranes are big, majestic birds. They have long legs and necks to make them stand tall, ...

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