Rascally Raccoons Known for Troublemaking Ways
Raccoons are known for their mischievous ways, making them both beloved and bemoaned by the humans they live alongside. These crafty...
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Willy's Wilderness
Willy's Wilderness
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Nov 8, 20223 min
This Fierce Bird Has Earned Its 'Butcher' Nickname
Fall is hunting season, and northern shrikes fly into the northern reaches of our state in October and November just in time to take...
Oct 18, 20224 min
Like Most Bats, Evening Bats Live Up To Nocturnal Name
In October, bat decorations can be found anywhere you look, and they often look really similar to each other. But bats aren’t just fall...
Oct 7, 20223 min
Hairy Wolf Spiders Live Up To Their Name
It’s fall, which means spider season! There are so many spiders around us. Do you see one? Is the spider super fast? Very hairy? Drab...
Sep 30, 20224 min
Five Wild Facts About Oh-So-Common Garter Snakes
Garter snakes are a snake most people are familiar with because of how common they are across most of the United States. If you see a...
Sep 28, 20223 min
Bluegills Are Adapted for Success in Our Waterways
Bluegills, Lepomis macrochirus, are one of the most common fish around. They are found in freshwater streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and...
Aug 30, 20223 min
Ant or Spider? This Creature Doesn't Want You To Know
After your first glance at this creature, what did you think you were looking at? An ant? A spider? Now look closely. What do you see...
Aug 23, 20223 min
Meet the Incredible Mr. (and Miss) Fox
Red foxes are awesome! They can run up to 30 miles per hour for short distances. They leave toys out for their young. And they are the...
Aug 16, 20224 min
Five Fun Facts About Wiggly Worms
We don't often think about what's happening right under our feet, but there's plenty of life down there. One of the most populous and...
Aug 9, 20223 min
Don't Shoo This Fly; Mayflies Are Important, Beneficial
This is the time of year when, if you are observant, you may see adult giant mayflies calmly resting on a leaf, stem or even a trail....
Jul 29, 20224 min
Moths Aren't Just Drab, Boring Butterflies
In the animal kingdom, moths are considered butterflies' ugly stepsisters. They're not as beautiful as butterflies. They’re not as...
Jul 26, 20226 min
Dragonflies and Damselflies: Learn the Difference
Look at almost any body of water during the summer and you will see thin-bodied, large-winged, jewel-toned insects darting over the...
Jul 15, 20224 min
Get All the Buzz on Busy Bumblebees
What is super hairy and has a mustache? It’s not just your dad; it could be a bumblebee too! We recognize these big, friendly pollinators...
Jul 15, 20223 min
This Reptile Has No Legs, but It's Not a Snake
If you think about legless reptiles, snakes probably quickly come to mind, but there are other legless reptiles slithering across the...
Jun 28, 20224 min
Learn All About Bullfrogs, Our Biggest Frog Friend
The biggest frog in Illinois and all of North America is the American bullfrog. It is a pretty common sight along the water's edge, but...
Jun 24, 20222 min
Blinded Sphinx Moth Not Really Blind At All
The hawk moth family, or family Sphingidae, includes many of the largest moth species around. Moths from this family that you may know...
Jun 7, 20223 min
Lawn Lobsters: Have You Ever Seen a Crayfish in Your Yard?
Look out for the lawn lobster! Did you know you might find crayfish in your yard? Or in the meadow nearby? We mostly think of them as...
Jun 3, 20224 min
Five Facts About Those Ever-Present Canada Geese
Canada geese are one of the most well-known and widespread birds, but they definitely don't make many favorite lists. All year long you...
May 31, 20224 min
Chimney Swifts Are Always Flying and Always Eating
Chimney swifts are birds with a very appropriate name. Not only do they prefer to nest in chimneys, they are also a sooty gray color....
May 20, 20222 min
Racerunners One of Will County's Only Lizards
If you think about the reptiles that live around our homes and neighborhoods, you probably think of snakes and maybe turtles. But did you...
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