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Hi I’m the wild strawberry also called Virginia or common strawberry found across Illinois in prairies meadows and woodlands I bloom in late spring with white flowers and grow sweet heart-shaped berries if conditions are right Loved by wildlife and pollinators I am one of the parent plants of the grocery store strawberry and part of the fragrant rose family.

The indigo bunting is a small, bright blue songbird seen in Illinois during breeding season. Only males are a vibrant blue, and their color comes from light scattering, not pigment. They sing sweet, repetitive songs and migrate up to 1,200 miles, using the stars to navigate. Females build low nests and raise the young. Though their population has declined, they remain common and can be found in shrubby areas across the eastern U.S.

Fishing is a fun way to enjoy nature. Beginners need some fishing line, a rod and a reel with a bobber, small hooks, a weight, nail clippers and bait in your tackle box. Practice by learning to tie a Palomar knot and casting gently. Watch the bobber for bites, then lift the rod to hook the fish. Use wet hands to handle the fish and remove the hook carefully. Be patient and enjoy the outdoors.

Fennec foxes, the world’s smallest foxes, live in the Sahara Desert and stay cool with large ears that release heat and with their fast-breathing rate. Weighing 2 to 3 pounds, they are nocturnal, hunting insects, rodents and plants at night. Their sandy-colored fur acts as camouflage, helping them hide from predators. Fennec foxes are monogamous and raise kits in burrows. Though often near others, they are solitary and rely on adaptations to thrive in harsh environments.

Frog and toad eggs in Will County are laid underwater in jelly-like clusters to stay moist. Each egg has a yolk that feeds the growing tadpole. Tadpoles hatch with a tiny tail, mouth and gills, later growing legs and switching from algae to meat as they become froglets. The numbers of eggs laid and the time it takes to grow into adults depends on the frog’s species.

The black-crowned night heron is a short, stocky, mostly nocturnal wetland bird. Once common in Illinois, it’s now endangered in the state due to habitat loss. These herons hunt at night, except during breeding season where they hunt during the say. They breed in colonies and care for their young together. Though rare locally, they live on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. A large colony now lives at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, helping scientists learn how to p

As spring commences, turtles begin to emerge from winter brumation. Isle a la Cache lagoon is a great place to spot species like painted turtles, snapping turtles, red-eared sliders and map turtles. Walk quietly and use binoculars to see them basking in the sun. Watch for nesting turtles crossing roads in May and June during breeding season. Rare Blanding’s turtles, with bright yellow necks, can also be seen at Isle a la Cache Museum. It's always a good day when you see a tur

Eastern chipmunks are small ground squirrels found in eastern North America’s forests. Active during the day, they don’t fully hibernate but rest in burrows and emerge to forage on milder winter days. They use their cheek pouches to carry food and store it in underground caches. Chipmunks eat fruits, seeds, insects and more. They communicate with high-pitched calls and prefer to stay near their burrows to avoid predators.

Spotted turtles are tiny, hand-sized turtles with yellow spots on their top shell. They live in the eastern U.S.’s wetlands, including parts of Illinois. They eat insects, frogs and plants, and often bring their food into water to eat. These turtles like to bask on logs but hide from extreme heat. Spotted turtles are endangered in Illinois, so if you see one in spring, you’re lucky – just be careful as they may cross roads, especially during mating season.

Harpy eagles, relatives of bald eagles, are large birds found in the rainforests of South America. Known for their sharp talons and powerful wings, they are apex predators that hunt animals like monkeys and sloths. They mate for life and raise one chick every few years. Harpy eagles are Panama’s national bird, the symbol of biodiversity in Ecuador and the Colombian Air force’s emblem. Now vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting, conservation efforts aim to protect them.

A spring hike at McKinley Woods — Frederick’s Grove offers a slow-paced, sensory-rich experience full of wildflowers, birds and scenic views. The 1.35-mile Trail of the Old Oaks includes steep inclines and muddy spots, so boots are recommended. For a gentler route, try the Upland Trail. Visit nearby Kerry Sheridan Grove and Four Rivers Environmental Education Center for more trails, river views and interactive nature exhibits.

Our view of nature has changed over time. Once thought endless, wildlife began disappearing in the 1800s. Laws like the Lacey Act and Bald Eagle Protection Act helped, but the 1973 Endangered Species Act became a key tool to protect and recover species. It prevents harm to listed species and their habitats. Thanks to it, animals like the bald eagle made a comeback. The work continues to protect wildlife for future generations.

No paint? Make your own with dirt and water. Mix until it’s the right texture, then use paper, rocks, or sidewalks as your canvas. Try painting with your hands, sticks, or other objects. Compare mud from different places and see how it changes when it dries. When you’re done, just rinse it away and start again. Let nature be your art supply this spring.

Heather Van Zyl set a goal to become best friends with a trail by visiting Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve weekly. Her first spring visits revealed fallen leaves, budding wildflowers like spring beauty and hepatica, and rare harbingers of spring blooms. She also noticed signs of deer and heard birds calling. By returning regularly, she hopes to witness seasonal changes and encourages others to connect with a special outdoor space too.

“April showers bring May flowers” isn’t fully accurate. In Will County, June is usually the rainiest month, not April. Flowers can bloom as early as mid-March, and the saying dates back to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. While April rain helps wake up the soil after winter, it’s not the top month for rainfall. Still, spring rains play a key role in helping flowers grow. Try tracking rainfall and watching nature change throughout the season.

Beavers shape their environment by building dams and lodges, creating wetlands that support diverse wildlife, filter water, and reduce fire risk. Their construction slows water flow, enriches soil, and provides food and shelter for many species. Beavers’ work benefits ecosystems and even humans.

Bobcats are the only wild cats in Illinois and are often confused with Canada lynx due to their similar appearance. Both have bobbed tails and ear tufts, but lynx have longer back legs, larger furry paws, and lighter coats. Bobcats are more widespread and eat a variety of prey, while lynx mostly eat snowshoe hares. Two other lynx species include the Eurasian lynx, found in Europe and Asia, and the rare Spanish, found only in Spain and Portugal.

American badgers live in northern Illinois and are known for their bold facial stripes and expert digging skills. They are mostly nocturnal, solitary, and live in underground burrows. They hunt small mammals and sometimes team up with coyotes to catch prey. Though not true hibernators, they enter torpor in winter, staying underground on cold days. Their strong sense of smell and digging abilities make them skilled hunters and survivors in the wild.

Watch pinecones open and close with this simple experiment. Soak a pinecone in water and see its scales slowly close to protect seeds. In dry weather they open to release seeds. Try warm water or use an oven to test how heat affects the process. Female cones grow at the top and hold seeds while soft male cones grow lower and produce pollen. All conifers including spruce fir and hemlock grow cones not just pines.

Animals use camouflage to blend into their surroundings and avoid predators. In this activity, you play a bird hunting insects made from colored paper dots on a paper leaf. After picking 10 bugs, you observe which colors were easier to spot. Changing the color of the leaf shows how camouflage helps some bugs stay hidden. This demonstrates how camouflage helps animals survive by making them harder to see.