The calendar says spring is still two weeks away, but nature’s signs are unmistakable. For one, tiger salamanders are on the move, making their annual…
Signs of Spring
Phenology
Skunk cabbage is northern Illinois’ earliest blooming native wildflower, popping up in late winter in groundwater seeps, springs and fens.
Rough-legged Hawks
Kentucky Coffeetrees
The reddish-brown pods of the Kentucky coffeetree contain seeds that were once used as a coffee substitute and, even further back, as food for Ice…
Frog Monitor Training
Northern leopard frogs are common throughout our region, but their coloration can make them hard to spot. Learn more about Lithobates pipiens and other local…
Bald-faced Hornet Nests
Bald-faced hornet nests, like this large one in St. Charles, are revealed when the leaves fall from the tree. The former residents, a type of…
Snow Flies & Winter Crane Flies
Besides sharing the trait of being active in winter, these insects also share a common ancestor and are members of the insect infraorder Tipulomorpha. The…
Poison Food Chain
Rodent baits often have unintended consequences, traveling through food chains and accumulating in the bodies of higher-level consumers like this Cooper’s hawk. The bird was…
Opossums
Opossums have a minimal ability to store fat and, as a consequence, in winter will often forego their nocturnal nature and forage during daylight hours.
Every Day Can Be Christmas
Keep an eye open for this seasonal gift, the red-breasted nuthatch. These perky birds use conifers as a source of both food and shelter.