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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.

The moon follows a 29.5-day cycle and affects Earth’s tides through gravity. It likely formed from a collision between Earth and another planet. With no atmosphere, the moon has extreme temperature changes. The far side of the moon is not darker, just never visible from Earth. It is slowly moving away about one inch per year. The moon remains a source of mystery and inspiration despite being explored and studied for decades.

An insect census helps scientists study biodiversity and habitat health. Insects are vital for pollination and the food chain. You can join by watching insects near plants, recording what you see, and sharing your data. Use tools like a timer, paper, and a camera. Even if you’re not an expert, your observations help real scientists. Just remember to be gentle and return any insects you catch.

Tortoise beetles are tiny, colorful insects with turtle-like shells that help them hide from predators. Found in Illinois, they come in many colors like gold, green, or speckled. Some can even change color. They eat plants, live only about three months, and moms protect their young. As larvae, they build poop umbrellas (called fecal parasols) to hide and stink off predators. Keep an eye out for these clever beetles this summer.

Rainbows form when sunlight hits water droplets in the air, bending and reflecting light to create a colorful arc. Roy G. Biv helps us remember the rainbow’s color order: red to violet. Rainbows are optical illusions and can also appear as fogbows in fog or moonbows at night. Sometimes, a double rainbow forms with reversed colors on the outer arc. Though we see arcs, rainbows are actually full circles, with only part visible from the ground.

Rose-breasted grosbeaks are striking black and white birds with rose-colored chests, seen in Illinois during breeding season. Only adult males have the rosy chest. Females and young are streaky brown. They eat seeds, insects, and fruit, nesting in trees with both sexes caring for the young. Their song is sweet like a robin’s, and their “eek” call sounds like a gym shoe squeak. Other grosbeaks exist in North America, but few are seen regularly in Illinois.

Synanthropes are wild animals and plants that thrive alongside humans in cities and suburbs. Examples include raccoons, crows, cellar spiders, and dandelions. Unlike pets or livestock, they live independently but benefit from human activity. Many, like raccoons and crows, are clever scavengers. Some, like cellar spiders, may not survive without us. These urban species are all around—just remember to observe them safely from a distance.