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Test you knowledge on these very common birds

Canada geese aren’t mean—they’re protective. Learn why goose encounters increase in spring and how to safely share space with these devoted parents.

Nothing in nature is “just” anything. From squirrels to geese to trees, discover the amazing world right outside your door.

Can you solve this fun nature riddle? Follow clues to discover a sneaky organism that can climb, grows berries and has leaves of three.

Not all deciduous trees seem know they are supposed to lose their leaves. These leaves that just can't seem to let go get the first part of the equation right. The green color fades, but that's where the process stops. Those leaves never seem to fall.

African buffalo are one of just two buffalo species in the world, but they are also relatives of the bison that roam North America.

Any time of year is a good time to look for animal tracks, and they can actually tell us quite a bit about who left them.

What's the difference between a frog and a toad? Let's check the facts and meet our local toad species.

Plants are clever in many ways! One of the most impressive and diverse adaptations is how they spread their seeds.

Seagulls live all over the world and are common in Illinois. Learn why these smart birds love water, parking lots, and leftover food.

The temperature are rising, and the season is changing. Get outside to explore spring with all your senses.

Sea otters are amazing ocean mammals related to river otters in North America. Learn how they float, use rocks as tools, stay warm with thick fur and how conservation helped bring them back from near extinction.

See if you can ace this 10-question quiz about deer.

It's time to get crafty! Gather together your favorite craft supplies to create a tiny handheld habitat for your favorite creature.

What purpose does our cold winter season serve? Do we really need winter? What does winter do for nature?  So many things.

We often see so many amazing things outside that we want to capture them with a photo. But if you are only ever looking up and out, you are missing out on some amazing views. Try looking down, way, way down. Not at the big things, but at the tiny, tiny parts of nature.

Love is always in the air, but at this time of the year the love in the air may smell a lot like skunk. That's because we are right in the midst of mating season for striped skunks. And with mating season comes increased activity as male skunks search for female mates.

Cooper's hawks are one of our many local hawk species. These fast, fierce birds are at home in our forests, where they are able to zip through the trees with ease.

About 200 years ago, porcupines were common in Illinois. That's no longer the case, but you don't have to go far to find them in the wild. Learn all about these prickly creatures and why they no longer live in Illinois.

Feeling cooped up? Here are a few new ideas to try and get you outside, get your body moving and your mind out of the winter slump.