Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District February 25, 2013 The other night my friend Suzi hosted a 31 Bags party. And while of course the focus of the evening was, for most people, the wonderfully functional bags and their myriad
Animals, Carnivore, Hunting
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District February 15, 2013 If you look at the world through Hallmark-tainted glasses, you might be tempted to believe the February is the month of love. Certainly if you venture into a supermarket or gift
February, Season, Winter
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District February 8, 2013 Hands down, the outdoors is the best place to learn about nature and things wild. But sometimes, time spent indoors can be enlightening too. Last Saturday was Wild Things, an all-indoor
Conference, Nature, Wild Things
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District February 1, 2013 I know it’s Groundhog Day and all but, golly, have you noticed what’s up with squirrels lately? Not so very long ago, they were hopping about in minimalist survival mode: foraging;
Nuts, Squirrels, Trees
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District January 30, 2013 I guess you could say I have a history with frogs. For as far back as I can remember, I’ve chased after these guys, stalking them in ponds and streams, reveling
Amphibian, Frog, GreenPam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District January 18, 2013 Call it an omen, call it what you will, but Wednesday on my way to work I saw [insert your favorite dramatic crescendo]…snow buntings. There I was, sitting in the left,
Birds, Fly, Snow BuntingsPam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District January 18, 2013 One of my very favorite things about taking a walk outside is that you never know what you might find. Even when you set out with a single purpose in mind,
Hike, Outside, Walk
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District January 4, 2013 Anyone care for a little coffee? Kentucky coffee tree, that is? These unusual trees, with their sparse branches and chunky seed pods, are a fairly common site in parks and along
Coffee Tree, Plant, Thick Pods
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District December 28, 2012 Birding can be tricky business this time of year. Many of our most recognizable species are gone for the cold-weather months, and those that opt to stay are decked out in
Birding, Birds, Picture
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District December 21, 2012 Where were you when winter arrived? No, I’m not talking about the Winter Solstice, that astronomical event that occurred at 5:11 a.m. yesterday and marked the beginning of our coldest season.
Cold, Snowfall, Winter, Winter Storms