Cardinals get their names-both common and scientific-from the males’ bright red plumage, which is similar in color to the vestments of Catholic cardinals. Females and…
Northern Cardinals
Heated Birdbaths
How do you host a wild bird bash in the middle of winter? Just add water…to a heated birdbath.
Cranes
No doubt about it, things are looking up here at Good Natured World Headquarters. Ah, but maybe I should clarify. By “things” I mean me,…
Chickadees
Chickadees make frequent trips to birdfeeders as they cache, or stash, the food items they’ll need to survive in winter.
Oriental Bittersweet
Oriental bittersweet, an aggressive invader of woodlands, has become naturalized across northeastern Illinois.
Shrimp of the Woods
Puffy, blobby and white, the mushroom known as shrimp of the woods is valued by some foragers of wild edibles for its texture and flavor.…
Oil Beetles
Look, but don’t touch! Meloe spp. oil beetles pack a powerful chemical defense, but also feature a life cycle with astounding intricacies.
Kane County Certified Naturalists
Participants in the Kane County Certified Naturalist program learn about local ecology through a combination of coursework and field trips to area parks and preserves.
Fall Colors
Thanks to warmer-than-usual temperatures, many trees held onto their green color–that is, their chlorophyll–until late October this year.
Chicken of the Woods
Back in the 1960s, marketers of a certain brand of tuna came up with a catchy jingle: “Ask any mermaid you happen to see, What’s…