Good Natured

Nighthawks

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not very good at texting. Half the time I don’t realize I’ve even gotten a text. And when…

Sound of Silence

Did you hear what I heard? Every morning for the past week or so, as I’ve crawled out of bed to greet the day, a…

Season of Shed Skins

Well, it’s that time of year again, the Season of Shed Skins. If you don’t believe me, just go outside and take a look around.…

Zebra Jumping Spiders

Recently my nature coworkers and I got the chance to spend some time at Primrose Farm, another fine outdoor education facility operated by the St.…

Investigative Naturalists

Recently I came across a treasure trove of memories from my childhood, in the form of several boxes of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries.…

Buzz Pollination

When was the last time you had a really good buzz? I’ll tell you one thing-it’s probably more recent than you think. In fact, if…

Toads

Wow, can you say water, water everywhere? Our wetter-than-usual spring (and, now, summer) have led to puddles and pools in places that aren’t normally all…

Nature & Yardwork

Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with…

Insect Pollinators

Native pollinators have been in the news a lot lately and, for the most part, the reports have not been good. Powerful pesticides combined with…

House Wrens

Whenever I hear the charming lilt of the house wren, I can’t help but think of Grandpa Atterberry. Save for a stint in the Army…

Intoxicating Fragrance of the Basswood

I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure St. Charles has laws preventing public intoxication. Yet there I was the other night, stumbling in the…

Ground Bees – Part 2

Ground bees, as we saw last week, are some of our area’s most beneficial insects. They provide spring flowers with the much-needed service of pollination.…

Ground Bees – Part 1

The other day I was at Langum Woods in St. Charles, getting ready to work with some wonderful volunteers from Elgin Community College’S Phi Theta…

Prescribed Burns

They’ve been common sights over the past several weeks: Billowing plumes of smoke erupting above our local parks and preserves. But instead of destruction, these…

Killdeer

“Kill-deer!” “Kill-deer! Kill-deer! Kill-deer!” Yep, there’s no doubt. The killdeer have returned. These medium-sized birds, members of the plover family, are famous for their namesake…

The American Woodcock

Thursday evening it was business as usual at Hickory Knolls. I was heading out toward the picnic shelter to set up for a campfire and…

Excitement on the Soccer Field

I’ll be the first to admit, soccer has not played a big part in my life. I remember playing in a few awkward games in…

The New Blanding’s Turtle Pond

People laugh when I say this, but you really can tell when a reptile is content. Its body posture, for example, is relaxed but not…

The Salamander and the New Tail

The tiger salamander on the left displays a tail of normal length. The salamander on the right is in the process of regenerating its tail following an infection. Look closely to see the newly formed tip peeking out at the end. The Salamander and the New Tail March 16, 2018 It’s come to my attention

Litter waiting to land

Balloons, whether let go by accident or as part of an organized release, quickly transition from colorful orbs of whimsy to ugly litter. Litter waiting to land March 9, 2018 One fine spring day in 1970-something, when I was in fourth grade, our teacher gave us a writing assignment. We were learning about geography, as

Northern Flickers

Although they are members of the woodpecker family, northern flickers differ from their cousins in various ways. Flickers prefer to forage on the ground and, as shown here, often perch instead of clinging to the sides of trees. They also have some of the longest tongues in bird-dom. Northern Flickers March 2, 2018 Northern flickers

The Poison Food Chain

Here lies Accipiter cooperii, a Cooper’s hawk, likely an unintended victim of poison baits consumed by rodents. The unfortunate animal was brought to Hickory Knolls after having been found in a St. Charles yard. The Poison Food Chain February 23, 2018 Chances are, even if you’re not a naturalist, you’re probably acquainted with the concept

Opossums

Remarkable in many respects yet poorly adapted to winter, the Virginia opossum will often forego its nocturnal nature to forage at birdfeeders and other free food sources on all but the coldest of days. Opossums February 16, 2018 Let’s take a moment, shall we, to add up the many fine qualities of Didelphis virginiana, the

Sharp-Shinned Hawk…Maybe?

Labeled “sharp-shinned hawk” on a stock photography website, this photo actually may depict a male Cooper’s hawk. An informal Facebook poll yielded 12 votes for Cooper’s and 1 for sharp-shinned. But an expert from the Field Museum says the angle makes it hard to be 100% sure. What do you think? Sharp-Shinned Hawk…Maybe? February 9,

Birds flock to Hickory Knolls

Screech owls prefer to roost in spots like tree cavities, which offer protection from the elements. Birders need sharp eyes, and a little luck, to spot these beautiful birds. Birds flock to Hickory Knolls February 2, 2018 When we lead a nature program on the Hickory Knolls grounds, some things are a given. We know

Economy of Motion

The tracks that proceed straight down the middle of this sidewalk show how, especially in winter, coyotes can be masters of efficiency. Not as step was wasted as the individual moved from north (top of photo) to south. Economy of Motion January 26, 2018 The other night my dog Joey and I decided to take

Finding Honey Bees

Dead honey bees in the snow – casualties of cleansing and scouting flights – are a sure sign that a bee tree is nearby. Finding Honey Bees January 19, 2018 Last week we took a look at the secret lives of honeybees – how they work through spring, summer and fall in order to produce

Honey Bees

All for one and one for all! Fueled by their namesake food, honey bees work communally to maintain the internal temperature of their winter cluster at or near 96oF. Honey Bees January 12, 2018 Boy, talk about a honey of a deal. At a time when most insects are whiling away the hours in some

Birds in Winter

A dark-eyed junco at Hickory Knolls braves the elements with its feathers fluffed out, a tactic that helps improve insulation from the cold. Birds in Winter January 5, 2018 This latest weather blast has me thinking of winters gone by, particularly those of my childhood. Back then, girls weren’t allowed to wear pants to school

Holiday Lights Recycling

The lobby of the City of St. Charles Public Works Department is one of several locations local residents can deposit their unwanted holiday lights and extension cords. Elgin Recycling will remove the copper and plastic, and donate the net proceeds from the resale to America In Bloom – St. Charles. Holiday Lights Recycling December 29,

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