Plants may seem picky, but many survive in tough places like sidewalk cracks. Tiny roots find microscopic gaps in concrete, seeking water and soil. As roots grow, they widen cracks, letting in more water and helping the plant thrive. These hardy plants create mini-ecosystems for insects and pollinators. You can even watch root growth at home using seeds in a clear bag.

May brings blooming flowers, perfect for pressing and preserving. Place flowers between tissue or coffee filters inside a heavy book. Add weight and wait two to six weeks, replacing paper if damp. Use fresh flowers for best results. Try different types and use your pressed flowers in art, framed decor, or a nature journal with notes on species and location.

Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are migratory woodpeckers seen in northern Illinois during spring and fall. Unlike bright yellow birds, they have subtle yellow bellies and red foreheads. They feed on tree sap, drilling rows of holes in trees like maple and birch. Sap attracts insects and other wildlife. These forest birds nest in tree cavities and have a slow, irregular drumming pattern. They’re rarely seen at feeders but may eat suet or mealworms.

Spring is full of sound—chirps, rustles, beeps and songs. Try “fox ears” by cupping your hands behind your ears to hear more. Stand still, close your eyes and take deep breaths to focus. Listen for bird calls, frog songs, rustling grasses, buzzing insects and woodpecker drums. Make it a game by counting how many different sounds you hear. Let the soundscape of spring guide your next outdoor adventure.

Earth is home to millions of species and is about 71% water. It’s not a perfect sphere, constantly changing shape due to tectonic activity and melting glaciers. Formed over 4.5 billion years ago, Earth won’t last forever as the sun will eventually die. The highest point is Mount Everest, the lowest is Challenger Deep. Earth’s name is unique among planets and its mantle is semi-solid, driving geological activity. Climate change threatens its ability to support life.

Make a rain gauge to see how much it rains in April. Cut the top off a 2-liter bottle, add rocks, and fill with water to a marked line 2 inches up. Mark half-inch measurements above that. Place the top back in as a funnel and set it outside when it rains. Record how much rain falls and track it in a notebook. See when it rained most during the month.

Illinois’ state amphibian is the tiger salamander. These secretive creatures start life in water and move to land as adults. They’re nocturnal, camouflaged, and can regrow lost limbs. Salamanders breathe through their skin and lungs and need moisture to survive. Though rarely seen, you can spot Ghillie, a tiger salamander, at Isle a la Cache Museum while his home at Hidden Oaks Nature Center is under construction.

Birds sing early in the morning in what’s called the dawn chorus, mostly to attract mates and claim territory. Mornings are quieter and safer, helping their songs carry farther. Studies show birds improve their singing as the day goes on, suggesting morning songs are like vocal warmups. While male birds do most of the singing, some females sing too. In cities, the chorus may start earlier due to artificial light. Spring and summer are peak singing seasons.