Just One Eagle Species Calls Illinois Home
You’re probably familiar with bald eagles, but did you know there is another kind of eagle that lives in the United States? Golden eagles...
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Willy's Wilderness
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Nov 9, 20233 min read
Can You Age a Ladybug by Counting Its Spots?
Has anyone ever told you that you can tell a ladybug's age by counting its spots? Did that seem a little hard to believe? You’re right....
Nov 6, 20233 min read
Holey Moly: Tiny Beetles Make Holes in Acorns
Take a walk in the woods in the fall and you’ll likely find acorns. Walk through a particularly oak-filled forest and you may find your...
Oct 31, 20233 min read
Among Trees, Oaks Are Giants for Many Reasons
Trees provide shade and shelter, and they are the homes of an untold number of living things. Across the world, millions of people depend...
Oct 27, 20234 min read
These Species Fit Right in During Spooky Season
We sure do love our cute and cuddly animals, but nature has a dark side too. Since it’s spooky season, it’s the perfect time to celebrate...
Oct 20, 20233 min read
What's the Difference: Wolf Vs. Coyote
We mostly think of canines as our pet dogs that become part of our families, but both coyotes and wolves are wild canines that live in...
Oct 6, 20233 min read
Living in a Cloud: Learn All About Fog
Most clouds are high overhead and way out of reach unless you are in an airplane. But did you know fog is also a type of cloud? Fog is...
Sep 29, 20233 min read
That Ugly Bird You Saw Just Might Be a Vulture
Vultures are unique-looking birds, and they aren't winning any beauty contests in the animal kingdom. However, their look is actually...
Sep 22, 20232 min read
How Hot Is It Outside? Crickets Can Tell You
Crickets as thermometers? This might seem more far-fetched than many of the nature myths you’re heard, but this one is actually true. You...
Sep 8, 20233 min read
Insects: They're What's for Dinner
Feeling hungry? Why don’t you fuel up on crunchy, delicious, protein-packed insects! You’ll be in good company — lots of animals do it....
Sep 5, 20234 min read
Here Comes The Sun: 5 Facts About Our Most Important Star
The sun is the center of everything, and that's not just something we say to show how important it is. The sun is quite literally in the...
Aug 25, 20233 min read
On the Water, Lilies and Lotuses Can Look Similar
In the summer, our ponds, lakes and rivers can become as green as our forests, with plants rising up to and above the surface. Our shores...
Aug 11, 20233 min read
Look Out Down Below: Examine Life Underground
Take a look around. Look high and low. How many living things do you see? Grass covers the yard, flowers bloom, trees shade with their...
Aug 7, 20233 min read
Insect Investigation: Cicadas and Locusts Not the Same
You might be familiar with cicadas because of the loud buzzing sound they create each summer. Some people refer to these bugs as locusts,...
Aug 4, 20232 min read
Bug Out Over Beetles This Summer
Whether you know it or not, your summer is filled with beetles. Before you feel grossed out, think of some of your favorite bugs from...
Jul 25, 20233 min read
Cattails: The Corndogs of Our Waterways
Driving down the road, you spot corndogs swaying in the tall grass. Take a second look. Is there a carnival nearby? You quickly realize...
Jul 21, 20233 min read
Grasshopper, Katydid or Cricket? What's the Difference?
When you think about the sounds of summer, what do you hear? Maybe the familiar notes of the ice cream truck circling the neighborhood or...
Jul 7, 20233 min read
Small But Mighty Duckweed Is Common on Our Waterways
There is something green covering our waterways, but what can it be? Is it mold, algae, scum? Look closely. Can you see a leaf? It’s...
Jul 5, 20232 min read
Are Fawns Really Born Without a Scent?
Have you ever heard that fawns, or baby deer, are born without a scent to help keep them safe? It’s a commonly held belief, and it’s...
Jun 20, 20232 min read
Be Warned: Not All Bees Die When They Sting You
You have probably learned that bees can only sting once and die after they sting you, but this isn’t entirely true. Honeybees do die...
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