Maybe I spent too much time in front of the TV as a kid but, when spring comes, I can’t help but think of Baby Huey. Remember him? Large but lovable, the gi-normous duckling starred in many cartoons during the 1950s and ’60s. Throughout his assorted escapades the sight gag was always the same: giant
Bird, Cowbird, Nest
Nature isn’t always pretty…unless it’s springtime. When spring is in the air, even the dowdiest woodland denizens take on a new radiance, brought to life by the return of longer days and warmer temperatures. Take fungi, for instance. No, not the type that grows on those forgotten leftovers in the back of the fridge, but
Decomposer, Fungi, Mushroom
I like a walk in the rain as much as the next person (probably more, actually) but last week’s cold, wet weather was a bit much even for me. So there I was, sitting indoors, yet confronted with the task of writing a column primarily about things outdoors. What’s a naturalist to do? Luckily, fate
Arachnid, Critter, Spiders
Butterflies are easy. It’s a statement we naturalists make from time to time, and it refers to the fact that we need exert virtually no effort to get people interested in butterflies. Snakes and spiders, on the other hand, are tough, and slime molds are darn near impossible. But butterflies are easy. So it was
Butterfly, Insect, Mourning Cloak
It’s April, and the spring migration is in full swing. Flashy neotropical migrants like scarlet tanagers have begun their epic journeys from South America and should be spotted here within a month. Meanwhile, the magnificent white pelicans have arrived at Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia on their annual stopover from points south. And then
Creatures, Freshwater, Mussels, Shell
Even if you’re one of those folks who believes the outdoors exists only to make the indoors more inviting, I’ll bet you noticed the robins. Their numbers started going up at the beginning of March and, by last week, little doubt existed that our quintessential sign of spring had returned. It’s true, the bluebirds and
American Robin, Bird, Robins
My dad called the other day, and the news wasn’t good. He and mom were fine, he said, but there was a problem. A big problem. A big, stinky problem. He explained that a skunk had decided to take up residence underneath their sun porch, and the odiferous evidence of its presence was wafting through
Critter, Skunk, Stink
Citizens of Kane, beware: There are butcher birds in our midst! That’s right folks—Lanius excubitor has come to our fair land. But instead of running for cover, you might instead want to gear up and go outside. Grab your binoculars and maybe a camera, and head to a nearby natural area to try and catch
Bird, Butcher Bird, Shrike
As I got ready to head out for a walk Sunday evening, I made the usual preparations. Jacket? Check. Waterproof boots? Check. Hat? Of course. Bat detector? Huh? Not in a million years would I have thought to bring out, on March 2nd, the electronic gadget I use each summer to detect the presence of
Animal, Bats, Mammal