When was the last time you played Duck Duck Goose? Here in the park district’s naturalist office, it’s getting to be a regular occurrence. Only instead of the game’s traditional version, we’ve been playing it via phone and email: “Duck eggs in a garden,” said one caller. “Duck eggs by a school,” said another. “Goose
Duck, Duckling, MallardLet’s see…what’s the best way to put this? I’ve got worms. Now, before you start thinking that I’ve been eating raw meat or playing in a dirty sandbox, let me hasten to say that you, or someone you know, no doubt has worms too. Of course the worms we’re talking about here are the kind
Earthworms, Spring, Worms
When you write a weekly column about nature, spring can be a really tough time—though not for lack of subject matter. (Matter of fact, when you write a weekly column about nature, a lack of subject matter is never a problem!) Rather, the issue is too many subjects. Sap’s flowing, trees are budding, flowers are
Exo, Exoskeleton, ShedEver hear the old Billie Holiday song, Back In Your Own Backyard? It’s a catchy little tune with a refrain that reminds us, You’ll find your happiness lies Right under your eyes Back in your own backyard With spring finally upon us, now’s a great time take Lady Day’s advice and check out your local
Backyard, Spring, TreesI’ve heard more than a little grumbling lately from people whose vacation plans have been altered by the current economic conditions. Paris has been postponed, Hawaii’s on hold, even Wisconsin may have to wait until things turn around. The good news is, some of these folks are starting to reexamine their definition of “vacation.” Maybe
Campton Hills Park
Objects in nature, as in life, can be divided into two distinct groups: The things that make you go, “Oooooh!” and the things that make you go “Eeeeew!” This past week, we were lucky enough to encounter both. The first item, an “ooooh,” appeared last Saturday, that lovely spring day where temperatures climbed into the
Beetles, Butterfly, Insects
We had a visitor stop by last week, unannounced but not unwelcome. He, or maybe she, was clearly on a mission, driven by instinct, hunger and a will to survive. She, or maybe he, was tiny—only a few centimeters in length—but mighty, and we marveled as it plowed purposefully forward through the woodchips beneath the
Critter, Rodent, Shrew
Remember when Canada geese were a fly-by-night group? Back then, before the non-migratory Canada goose populations took hold, it was big news when The Geese blew into town. The large, majestic birds, with their brown-gray bodies, graceful black necks and striking black-and-white heads, were indeed a sight to see. But you had to hurry. The
Bird, Canada, Fly
Change is an undeniable part of life. Just ask Bob Dylan (“The Times They Are A-Changin’,” 1963) and David Bowie (“Changes,” 1971). Or Barack Obama and Joe Biden (“The Change We Need,” 2008). Or coyotes. Coyotes, despite humans’ best efforts to thwart them, have become masters at handling change. Their presence here in Illinois dates
Animal, CoyotesWell…I’ve got a critter in my car. If you’re into nature, or know someone who is, this sort of revelation isn’t news at all. Dead things are a part of the naturalist life. But this little beastie is different. Unlike a mummified frog in the ashtray or a shriveled-up shrew in the cupholder, both of
Car, Critter, Rodent