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.