Whether you’re a long time reader or finding them for the first time, Pam Otto’s “Good Natured” articles educate and entertain. Published once a week since 2012, these gems cover everything from bladderworts to recycling polystyrene. Find the latest articles on our homepage, in the Kane County Chronicle, or on Kane County Connects. All new articles posted
Clothing, Recycle, Textile
Now that the Christmas excess has started to subside and the Hanukkah latkes are gone, the Kwanzaa candles have burned low and the Festivus Feats of Strength are but a memory, it’s time to get down to the serious business of proclaiming our New Year’s Resolutions for 2017. I’m sure most of you take part
Polystyrene, Recycle, Styrofoam, Waste
Years ago, a thoughtful naturalist, or perhaps a naturalist with too much time on his or her hands, compiled a list of traits that typify us nature nerds. In the style of Jeff Foxworthy’s “You might be a redneck if …” the list read something like, “You might be a naturalist if … you have
Environment, Naturalist, Nature
I don’t know if you noticed or not, but we’re in the middle of an irruption. Not an eruption as in,”Kaboom!” Nor an interruption as in, “Psst…” or “Ahem.” But an irruption, as in the ecology term meaning a sudden increase in a species’ population—in this case, red-breasted nuthatches, Sitta canadensis. I wish I could
Bird, Fly, Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch
“Stink.” It’s the kind of word that makes people cringe. Beyond its primary definition of “having a strong, unpleasant odor,” it also can be used to indicate a fuss or uproar—”raising a stink”—as well as opine that something is lousy, as in an idea or situation that stinks. “Bug.” Here’s another word that can make
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Bug, Insect, Stink Bug
Editor’s note: The following is a column that originally ran in January 2009: The conversation lasted late into the evening. A tiny sliver of a moon rose up, the stars came out … and still the participants persisted. They sounded determined, though more than a little repetitious: “Who’s awake? Me too!” “Wh-who’s awake? Me too!”
Bird, Great Horned Owl, Owl
“Whoops!” That one-word exclamation was all I could muster when I realized what I’d done. The mistake, though small by human measures, was of great magnitude for my young charges—a whole bunch of bouncing baby eastern lubber grasshoppers. Over the past few days I’d seen them through eclosion—the fancy word for hatching—and had watched protectively
Ambush Bug, Bug, Insect
Over the past year and a half or so, when not chasing after snakes or bugs or paperwork, I’ve busied myself with a series of do-it-yourself home-improvement projects. There was last year’s Painting of the Bedroom, which took about two weeks to complete. Then came The Laying of the Laminate, an endeavor that involved the
Critters, Scatter Hoarders, Squirrels
When you think of nuts – the kind that grow on trees – it’s hard to not think of squirrels. They are, after all, the most highly touted nut-gatherers in these parts, collecting the trees’ bounty almost as quickly as it falls. In fact, squirrels will even chew off acorn-laden branches to make the harvest
Bird, Blue Jay, Fly
The third in a series chronicling lesser known fall season phenomenon. If today were February 2nd, the star of this week’s column would need little introduction. For well over a century—and even longer if you count the custom’s European roots–Groundhog Day events have given people a reason to celebrate the supposed prognosticating abilities of a
Groundhogs, Mammals, Woodchuck