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.

Illinois is home to red and gray foxes. While red foxes are usually rusty red, their color can vary, but they always have a white-tipped tail.Gray foxes have black-tipped tails and can climb trees. Red foxes are larger, with longer legs and slit-shaped eyes. Both species are omnivores, eat rodents, and face few predators. Though similar, they belong to different genera. Red foxes are more common in northern Illinois, while gray foxes prefer southern forests.

Trees communicate underground using a fungal network called the mycorrhizal network. Through it, they share signals and nutrients with each other, warn of danger, and support young trees. Fungi benefit by receiving sugars from trees. Older “mother trees” help younger ones grow and even pass on nutrients when dying. This hidden network shows how forests quietly work together to thrive.

Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve offers scenic trails, great birding and the iconic big bridge on the Plum Creek Greenway Trail. A 2.34 mile round trip hike from the campground leads through forests and prairies with wildlife sightings along the way. The 267 foot bridge spans a 40 foot ravine and provides beautiful views. In winter, enjoy sledding, ice skating at Snapper Pond and indoor exhibits at Plum Creek Nature Center, which is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Barn owls have heart-shaped faces and ghostly white feathers and are skilled nocturnal hunters found in fields and barns. Known for their eerie screech, they rely on incredible hearing to locate prey. Unlike most owls, they nest in buildings and often stay year-round. As natural habitats shrink, people can help by building nest boxes if they live near open land and give the owls space and privacy.

Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in the world, weighing up to 35 pounds with a wingspan over 6 feet. Named for their trumpet-like calls, they use sound and foot slaps to communicate. They need long “runways” to take flight and incubate eggs using their feet. Once nearly extinct, they’ve made a strong comeback thanks to conservation. Though no longer endangered, they face risks like habitat loss and collisions with power lines.

The polar vortex is a mass of cold, low-pressure air circling the poles. When it’s unstable, cold Arctic air can push south into places like Illinois, causing extreme cold. This happens when the polar jet stream weakens. Though the term gained recent popularity, it’s been around since 1853. The National Weather Service issues wind chill advisories at -25°F and warnings at -30°F, with wind chill showing how cold it feels by factoring in wind speed and air temperature.

Rock Run Preserve in Joliet offers a mix of nature and city life, making it great for quick or longer hikes. On a 2.63-mile winter walk, we spotted birds, deer, and animal tracks in snow, plus colorful lichen and sumac. Flat paved trails and short limestone paths make it family-friendly. Its location and variety of paths mean every visit can be a new experience. Be a Trailblazer and explore this accessible, scenic preserve.