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.…
Investigative Naturalists
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…
Prescribed Burns
They’ve been common sights over the past several weeks: Billowing plumes of smoke erupting above our local parks and preserves. But instead of destruction, these…