Good Natured

Characteristics of Pileated Woodpeckers

This male pileated woodpecker shows off his massive beak, which is used for excavating food as well as nest cavities from dead trees. (Photo credit: BryanHanson at MorgueFile.com) Characteristics of Pileated Woodpeckers December 22, 2017 Last week in this space we pondered the presence of the pileated woodpecker, Dryocopus pileatus, here in Kane County. Only

Have you spotted a pileated woodpecker?

The crow-sized pileated woodpecker has been appearing in our area with increased frequency. If you’re not lucky enough to see the bird itself, you can still search for its distinctive excavations on dead trees or fallen logs in rich woodlands. (Photo credit: BryanHanson at MorgueFile.com) Have you spotted a pileated woodpecker? December 15, 2017 So

The Naturalist’s Language

Do you speak naturalist? Here’s a test: What do you call these birds, Canada geese or Canadian geese? Hint: You may need to check their passports. The Naturalist’s Language December 8, 2017 If you’ve spent much time with a naturalist, you’ve likely noticed that we tend to live in our own little world. It’s a

Turkey Tails

A member of the bracket, or shelf, fungus family, turkey tails add a subtle hint of color to the late-fall woodland floor. Turkey Tails December 1, 2017 If turkey graced your holiday table last week, you know what this week means: The tail end of the bird. But rather than turkey soup, turkey a la

Choosing Birdseed

A male red-bellied woodpecker takes advantage of the free buffet at the Hickory Knolls birdfeeders. Offering a variety of seeds, in a variety of feeder styles–tube, platform, hopper, suet–will in turn attract a variety of species. Choosing Birdseed November 24, 2017 November typically is the time folks send out invitations for holiday gatherings, be they

Snakes in Fall

Fox snakes are locally common and, this time of year, sometimes turn up in garages, basements and crawlspaces. When agitated, they may shake their tails, a la rattlesnakes, but nonetheless are nonvenomous and provide free rodent control. Snakes in Fall November 17, 2017 We all have our dreams, such as fame or fortune. Mine, go

Giant Puffball

These giant puffballs range from small, about the size of a 16-inch softball, to medium, about the size of a volleyball, to large, about the size of a basketball. Giant Puffball November 10, 2017 Puffballs. At first glance, this word seems like it is describing pompons, or at least something fluffy. For instance, I once

White-throated Sparrow

White-throated sparrows can be identified by their distinctive song, or by the following field marks: A striped head and bright white patch under the throat, along with a streaky or smudgy gray breast. White-throated Sparrow November 3, 2017 Poor Sam Peabody… Peabody… Peabody. I don’t know Mr. Peabody and have no idea of what events

Helping Pollinators Survive the Winter

The St. Charles Park District, in its efforts to support native pollinators, erected this bee house early this summer. It is located behind the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center. The structure was immediately adopted by a number of native bees. You can make a smaller version of this house by stuffing native plant stems into a

Bur Oak Trees

Bur oak trees are known for their large acorns as well as their thick and fire-resistant bark that helps protect them during prairie and savanna fires. The oaks pictured, from the savanna behind Hickory Knolls, are all over 100 years old and still going strong. Bur Oak Trees October 20, 2017 Maybe, as an alert

Brown Snakes

Midland brown snakes are quite common throughout the TriCities but rarely seen due to their small size and secretive nature. Brown Snakes October 13, 2017 I would guess that pretty much all of us have heard the cautionary tale of the Itsy Bitsy Spider. But how many people have heard about the Itsy Bitsy Snakes?

Predatory Stink Bugs

The two-spotted stink bug is quite different from the introduced brown marmorated stink bug currently plaguing the TriCities. Our two-spotted friend actually is a predator and should be welcomed to gardens throughout the area. Its favored prey is potato beetles. Predatory Stink Bugs October 6, 2017 Stink. It’s a word on everyone’s mind these days,

Visit Pure Kane!

Try a visit to Pure Kane! Illinois is known as the Prairie State and has as much to offer as the state of Michigan, which has benefitted from Pure Michigan, a long-running ad campaign championed by actor Tim Allen. (Photo credit: Jeanette Joy) Visit Pure Kane! September 29, 2017 If you listen to the radio

Viceroy Butterfly

Do you see monarchs mating? Look again! These two butterflies are viceroys, distinguished from monarchs by the dark line across the hindwing. Look for this species in moist areas where willows grow. Viceroy Butterfly September 22, 2017 A couple of weeks ago we took a look at the current darling of the butterfly world, the

Shagbark Hickory Nuts

Talk about a tough nut to crack! Lacking sharp rodent incisors, humans usually need to resort to hammers or other such tools to open and enjoy the sweet taste of the shagbark hickory nut. Shagbark Hickory Nuts September 15, 2017 I’ll admit it. I’m a cookie-dough freak. Even though I know full well that baked

Raising Monarchs

A member of the monarch super generation lets its wings fill with fluid after eclosing, or emerging, from its chrysalis. Barring any unforeseen difficulties, it should arrive at its overwintering grounds in Mexico in November. (Photo courtesy of Jill Voegtle) Raising Monarchs September 8, 2017 A few week s ago we alluded to the fact

The Green Darner

A female green darner rests in a characteristic pose. The “bullseye” mark at the front of the head is another way to identify this iconic dragonfly species. The Green Darner September 1, 2017 I got together with some friends the other night, and after a while the conversation turned to superheroes and, eventually, the movie

Ms. Garter Snake

This garter snake has an overabundance of melanin, a dark pigment that obscures the individual’s normal markings. The cloudy eyes indicate that the snake is in the midst of a shed cycle. (Photo courtesy of Jill Voegtle.) Ms. Garter Snake August 25, 2017 Every time I walk past a particular park district outbuilding, I get

Birds of a feather – it’s time to molt

It may be summer for us, but for birds it’s molting season. This blue jay feather is just one of many spotted on a recent walk around St. Charles. Birds of a feather – it’s time to molt August 18, 2017 In Ecclesiastes we learn that everything has a season. A time to be born,

Chipmunks

Although usually spotted on the ground, chipmunks are adept climbers. Their name is derived from a Native American word meaning “climbs down trees head first.” (Photo credit: Tom Tetzner/USFWS) Chipmunks August 11, 2017 Even though the corn and soybeans are still green in the field, some local harvests have already begun. Need proof? Just check

Moths

Polyphemus moths are locally common in our area but rarely seen due to their nocturnal nature. Good Natured reader Lorayne Hrejsa recently captured this pair (Yes! There are two, if you look closely) exchanging greetings in her yard. Moths August 4, 2017 In the world of lepidopterans – the “scaly wings,” or butterflies and moths

Double-Crested Cormorants, Part 2

Double-crested cormorants sit low in the water, a trait that helps distinguish them from other waterfowl. The species has seen a number of ups and downs and previously was listed as endangered in Illinois, but today enjoys healthy population numbers. (Photo credit: Steve Hillebrand/USFWS) Double-Crested Cormorants, Part 2 July 28, 2017 Last week when we

Double-Crested Cormorants, Part 1

A little creepy and a little kooky, double-crested cormorants are an increasingly common sight along the Fox River as well as assorted local ponds. Here a juvenile, identified by its lighter plumage, sunning on a warm day. Double-Crested Cormorants, Part 1 July 21, 2017 “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They’re altogether ooky…”

Black Witch Moth

The black witch moth is native to Central and South America but occasionally journeys northward. This individual, a female, was spotted a month ago at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. Black Witch Moth July 14, 2017 “The wind began to switch – the house to pitch And suddenly the hinges started to unhitch.

Tortoise Beetle

Tortoise beetle larvae protect themselves from predators by creating a shield of distasteful items collected on forked structures at the tip of the abdomen. Tortoise Beetle July 7, 2017 Thar’s gold in them thar hills! But hold on a sec. Before you run for your pans and pick axes, we should probably clarify a couple

Honeybee Swarms

Honeybee swarms are colonies on the move. Swarming is the means by which honeybees propagate. Honeybee Swarms June 30, 2017 If you’ve ever moved to a new home, you know the tremendous amount of planning, preparation and coordination that must take place. A new home needs to be chosen, the old home needs to be

Ballooning

Up, up and away! These recent spider hatchlings, which are of the species Argiope aurantia, commonly known as garden spiders or banana spiders, are preparing to disperse through a method known as ballooning. (Photo courtesy of Cathy and Steve Martens) Ballooning June 23, 2017 Balloons. Can you think of anything more festive? Colorful balls of,

Stoneflies

Stoneflies, even the common species, are increasingly hard to find these days. This juvenile, also called a nymph, was found underneath a rock in Ferson Creek at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. Stoneflies June 16, 2017 (Ed. Note: This column is the last of a three-part series on the Fox River’s famous, or

Mayflies

An Ephemeridae mayfly rests next to its freshly cast skin. Mayflies are the only insects that experience a subimago, or sub adult, life stage in which they are winged and capable of flight but not fully mature. Mayflies June 9, 2017 (Ed. Note: This column is the second in a three-part series on the Fox

River bugs are back

Also known as ‘river bugs’, caddisflies periodically emerge en masse from the Fox River and its tributaries. Their larvae live underwater for up to a year, and frequently are used as indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. River bugs are back June 2, 2017 Lots of people soon will flock to St. Charles’ annual extravaganza, Festival

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