September 21, 2012 Did you ever have one of those days where you’ve found yourself feeling a little, well, rusty? I have, more than I care to think of. In fact, I’d wager that I’ve felt a little rusty just about every day over these past few weeks; worse, I don’t see the trend stopping,
Aquatic Invader, Crayfish, Rusty
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District September 14, 2012 Driving along Peck Road the other day, a merry band of naturalists spotted a TV dinner on the pavement. Even better, the TV was right next to it! Now, before visions
Bird, Fly, Turkey Vulture
September 7, 2012 Once upon a time Canada geese were just that—geese from Canada. Well, Canada and thereabouts. A denizen of the north, the birds’ appearances in our area were primarily during migration, and their flocks were a sight to behold. I remember one fall, I want to say it was in the mid-1970s, when
Bird, Fly, Sandhill Crane
May 11, 2012 This summer I finally got around to doing something I’ve been meaning to do for the past 40 years or so. I read a book. Cover to cover. Which isn’t all that surprising, I suppose, given that I do love to read. But this book was a little out of the ordinary.
A Girl of the Limberlost, Book, Read
August 17, 2012 With a temperature forecast in the 70s today, it sure doesn’t feel much like August. But certain signs of the season are undeniable. Cicadas are buzzing, prairies are blooming and spiders, bless their little cardiac marks, are everywhere. Take a walk through any of the TriCity downtowns and you’ll see the work
Arachnid, Critter, Spiders
1 Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District August 10, 2012 I don’t know if there’s any other group of animals that provides as much excitement, milligram for milligram, as the Class Insecta. Think about it. Even though they’re small—the biggest
Bug, Cicada, Insect
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District August 3, 2012 Every Friday from June to August, the kids enrolled in Summer Nature Camp at the St. Charles Park District take part in…drumroll…cue the trumpets…Creek Day! A summer tradition dating back to
Creek Day, Ferson Creek, Nature Camp
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District July 27, 2012 I suppose when most people think of rolling stones, the phrase is capitalized and preceded by a “The.” Images of big lips, a lolling tongue, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards come
Fish, Streams, Water
File:Cotesia9061.8.15.07.c.jpg Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District July 26, 2012 This year promises to be big for gardeners. Plenty of rain along with a few steamy days of what my grandfather the farmer used to call “good growing weather” have
Rain, Vegetation, Weather
Pam’s Perspective From the… Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District July 20, 2012 I don’t want to overstate the obvious but, jeepers, it’s hot out! Dry too. As if it weren’t enough to feel the blazing heat as soon as we walk outside, we’ve
Dry, Heat, Hot