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Bird beaks come in many shapes, each suited to their diet. Cardinals have cone-shaped beaks for cracking seeds, while owls have hooked beaks for tearing meat. Robins and warblers use tweezer-like beaks for insects, and woodpeckers use chisel beaks to dig out bugs. Hummingbirds sip nectar with pipette-like beaks, and ducks strain food from water with colander-like beaks. Beak shape offers clues about what a bird eats and where it lives.

Rainbows form when sunlight hits water and bends, splitting into colors. You can make your own rainbow with a bowl of water, a mirror, and sunlight. Place the mirror in the water at an angle, face it toward the sun, and catch the rainbow on white paper. Sunlight must shine through the water for it to work. Rainbows don’t appear if the sun is blocked. Try changing the water level or mirror to see what happens.

Tree roots absorb water, which then moves to the leaves and evaporates through a process called transpiration. You can observe this by sealing leaves in a plastic bag for a few days—water will collect as it transpires. This process cools the plant and releases moisture into the atmosphere. Different plants may transpire at different rates, and in a survival situation, transpired water is safe to drink, though it may taste bitter.

You float more easily in saltwater because it’s denser than freshwater. In this experiment, an egg sinks in plain water but floats in saltwater. Adding salt increases the water’s density, making the egg more buoyant. Try adjusting salt or water levels to see if you can make the egg float in the middle.

Green herons are shy birds found near ponds and rivers. Their green-gray backs and chestnut necks help them blend into tall grasses. They hunt by standing still or using bait to lure fish. These birds nest high in trees and both parents help raise the young. Green herons migrate south for winter and return to Illinois each spring. Look closely on your next nature walk and you might spot one.

What looks like a giant mosquito may be a harmless crane fly. They do not bite or sting and most adults do not eat. Adults live only a few days to mate and lay eggs. They spend most of their lives as larvae feeding on plant matter in soil or water. Larvae can damage lawns but crane flies are an important food source and sensitive to pollution. If one flies indoors, gently move it outside rather than swatting.

Flies may seem pesky, but they have incredible abilities. They flap wings 200 times per second, land upside down, see in all directions, and process images faster than humans. They eat by spitting digestive juices on solids to liquefy them. Though often seen as dirty, flies groom themselves regularly. They play key roles by decomposing waste and pollinating plants. Despite their small size, flies help keep ecosystems healthy.

Eastern and ornate box turtles are land-loving turtles found in forests and prairies. They can close their shells like a box to protect from predators. Males have red eyes and concave plastrons; females have brown eyes and flat ones. Ornate box turtles mostly eat animals, while eastern ones eat plants and fungi too. Both brumate in winter. Ornate box turtles are threatened in Illinois, and one can be seen at Plum Creek Nature Center.

The yellow garden spider is a large black, yellow and white orb-weaver with a zigzag silk pattern in its web. Common in gardens and fields, females are much larger and more colorful than males. They aren’t aggressive and rarely bite. These spiders spin neat webs, catch flying insects and often stay in one spot for the season. Females lay up to 1,000 eggs in silk sacs. Look for them in sunny spots from August to September in Illinois.

Illinois prairies are full of color, life and inspiration. Visit preserves like Lockport Prairie or Midewin to see tall grasses, wildflowers and wildlife. Paint outdoors or use photos and sketches to create at home. Just be respectful of nature, clean up when done and let the prairie spark your creativity.

Beavers, the largest rodents in North America, are closely related to the Eurasian beaver. Both are herbivores and keystone species that shape ecosystems by building dams. Though similar in appearance, Eurasian beavers have lighter fur and narrower tails. Capybaras, native to Central and South America, are the world’s largest rodents. Both beaver species were once nearly extinct due to overhunting but have made partial recoveries through reintroduction efforts.

Gardening with native plants is low-maintenance, supports pollinators, and offers great learning for kids. It teaches environmental stewardship, supports physical development, and brings families closer. Start small, use kid-sized tools, pick quick-blooming plants, and involve kids in care. Track progress with a garden journal. Native gardening is a fun, hands-on way to connect kids with nature.

Slime molds, like the chocolate tube slime mold, are brainless yet smart single-celled organisms that move and feed like amoebas. They’re not fungi, plants, or animals, but they break down organic matter and help soil. Found on rotting wood, they change shape, form spores, and can solve mazes. Their odd looks inspire names like dog vomit and scrambled eggs. Look for them in warm, damp forests on logs and leaf litter.

Grasses cover over 26 percent of Earth’s life and grow on every continent including Antarctica. They have hollow stems, leaf blades, and tiny wind-pollinated flowers. Grasses grow from nodes, spread by underground runners, prevent erosion, and support wildlife. Humans eat grass seeds like wheat, rice, and corn. In Will County, native grasses like big bluestem, prairie dropseed, and golden plume still thrive in prairies like Prairie Bluff Preserve.

Pretend to be a tree. Stand tall, spread your arms like branches, and plant your feet like roots. Close your eyes and imagine connecting with the earth and nearby trees. Feel the wind, the sun, and the world around you. Trees communicate through touch and underground networks—try it with a friend. After a few still moments, return to your human form. Try this fun nature exercise in a park, forest, or backyard.

Honeybees and yellow jackets look similar but differ in color, fuzziness and behavior. Honeybees are fuzzy and brownish, while yellow jackets are smooth and bright yellow. Yellow jackets are more aggressive, sting repeatedly, and often nest in the ground. Honeybees sting once and are vital pollinators. Both benefit the environment, but yellow jackets cause more stings. Bee stings can range from mild to severe and may require emergency care.

Carolina parakeets and passenger pigeons once filled Illinois skies but are now extinct due to habitat loss, overhunting and disease. Both species lived in large flocks and relied on forests. Their disappearance led to stronger bird protection laws. This summer take time to notice and appreciate the birds around you because their presence is not guaranteed.

Explore density with a fun liquid layering experiment. Carefully pour honey, corn syrup, milk, colored water, and oil into a clear jar in order. Then drop in small objects like paper clips or grapes to see where they float or sink. Each liquid has a different density, so they form layers. Objects float above liquids denser than they are and sink below less dense ones. Try shaking the jar or adding new liquids to see what changes.

Some flies are drawn to stinky things like waste and dead animals because they lay their eggs there. These “filth flies,” such as houseflies, blow flies and flesh flies, use their antennae to smell. Females are especially attracted to these smells and can detect them from miles away. After laying eggs, maggots hatch, grow and become adult flies. Though often a nuisance, these flies can spread disease, making proper control important.

Cattails grow in wet areas and have unique ways to reproduce through seeds and underground rhizomes. Their parts are useful too! Leaves can make water-resistant string or soothe cuts, fluffy seeds can be used for fire-starting or insulation, and the tops can become torches. They’re even edible with adult guidance. While cattails are helpful to humans and wildlife, remember not to harvest them from protected areas like forest preserves.