Recently my nature coworkers and I got the chance to spend some time at Primrose Farm, another fine outdoor education facility operated by the St.…
Zebra Jumping Spiders
Investigative Naturalists
Recently I came across a treasure trove of memories from my childhood, in the form of several boxes of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries.…
Buzz Pollination
When was the last time you had a really good buzz? I’ll tell you one thing-it’s probably more recent than you think. In fact, if…
Toads
Wow, can you say water, water everywhere? Our wetter-than-usual spring (and, now, summer) have led to puddles and pools in places that aren’t normally all…
Nature & Yardwork
Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with…
Insect Pollinators
Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with…
House Wrens
Whenever I hear the charming lilt of the house wren, I can’t help but think of Grandpa Atterberry. Save for a stint in the Army…
Intoxicating Fragrance of the Basswood
I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure St. Charles has laws preventing public intoxication. Yet there I was the other night, stumbling in the…
Ground Bees – Part 2
Ground bees, as we saw last week, are some of our area’s most beneficial insects. They provide spring flowers with the much-needed service of pollination.…
Ground Bees – Part 1
The other day I was at Langum Woods in St. Charles, getting ready to work with some wonderful volunteers from Elgin Community College’S Phi Theta…