A handsome hover fly, which developed from a larva known as a rat-tailed maggot (or ‘mousie’ to ice fisher-people; see inset) pauses on top of a flower. Inset photo courtesy of Kim Haag; hover fly photo courtesy of Heather Broccard-Bell. May 24, 2024 As a little kid, I was really lucky. I had parents who
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Eastern phoebes show a preference for nesting in sheltered locations. They’ll also refurbish and reuse their nests, often returning to the same site year after…
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In preparation for the performance of its life, a periodical cicada emerges from its nymphal exoskeleton. The dark spots behind the eyes are clusters of…
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Cicadas are clumsy flyers that travel only short distances. To figure out whether you should expect Brood XIII periodical cicadas in your neighborhood this year,…
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Periodical cicadas are predicted to emerge throughout northern Illinois in just a few weeks. But will their appearance live up to all the hype? Photo…
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Its wings angled toward the afternoon sun, a red admiral soaks up some warming rays at Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles.
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As a female yellow-bellied sapsucker methodically drills her sapwells, two flies (left) arrive to inspect her progress and, soon, partake of a sweet treat.
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Danger, yellow bullheads! Danger! The schreckstoff, or ‘scary stuff’ present in the skin cells of the fish in this heron’s bill likely saved other bullheads…
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On a sunny day in April 2014, persons unknown left this box of bunnies at Ferson Creek Fen in St. Charles. Photo courtesy of Tim…
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After being counted, measured and sexed, tiger salamanders in the St. Charles Park District monitoring program are released in their breeding pond. The presence of…
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Odorous house ants’ natural habitat is outdoors but, drawn by easy access to food and shelter, they often find their way into homes.
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Small bordering on teensy, Tapinoma sessile measures just under 1/8-in. in length. Pictured here next to a toothpick, it’s an ant that shows up regularly…
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Smaller than most geese, the Ross’s goose is an unusual sighting in Kane County. Photo courtesy of Gordon Garcia.
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This hairy woodpecker, identified by the size of its bill rather than its plumage, this winter has been an infrequent visitor to a birdfeeder in…
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Hairy woodpeckers can be distinguished from downies by their larger size, larger bill in relation to the head and a lack of spots on the…
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Robins in winter?? Plentiful food, water and shelter have led to year-round success for this popular, and populous, species.
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Despite attempts to eradicate it, the spongy (formerly gypsy) moth continues to impact trees throughout our area. This female, full of eggs, was found in…
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With big claws and an attitude to match, the rusty crayfish was brought to Illinois intentionally for use as fishing bait. It then hitched around…
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Having hitched a ride to Illinois from California, and despite a fractured shell, this snail is now living comfortably in a terrarium in DeKalb County.
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Marcescence not only is a great word, but also an interesting phenomenon to observe in the winter landscape.
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Never shy about helping themselves to free food, European starlings have made themselves at home in every one of the lower 48 states as well…
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Perhaps 2024 will be the year you resolve to become a better birder.
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If you’ve got a naturalist on your gift list, there’s still time to track down some of these tried-and-true favorites, including pants with pockets, lip…
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The fluff in this photo is milkweed floss, carried up to a vacated bird nest by an industrious mouse. Buoyant, soft and water resistant, milkweed…
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Round galls on the stems of goldenrod are the work of the goldenrod gall fly, Eurosta solidaginis, while elliptical galls are created by a moth,…
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Inside this gumball-sized sphere, a goldenrod gall fly larva will spend the winter in diapause—insects’ version of hibernation.
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Mature Cooper’s hawks are blue-gray above with orangish bars across the breast and a prominent ‘Cooper’s cap’ of darker feathers on top of the head.…
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Timing is everything! This unique photo depicts a red-tailed hawk’s nictitating membrane, or third eyelid, as it passes horizontally across the eye.
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This hornworm pupa displays a prominent proboscis and wing pads-interesting in and of themselves, but even more so considering that neither feature is present on…
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The Kane County Certified Naturalist program attracts adult learners from all walks of life.
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