Ravenel’s Stinkhorn
A Ravenel’s stinkhorn grows amid the wood chips at a local playground. These powerful decomposers, it turns out, are mighty stinkin’ strong.
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Scatter-Hoarding Squirrels
Its nose stained from burying nuts in wet soil, a squirrel pauses, and poses, in the midst of its scatter-hoarding activities.
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A Crayfish Volcano?
Topped with a large hole, a crayfish chimney stands tall and volcano like at Ferson Creek Fen in St. Charles. A second, smaller hole, which…
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KCCN Season Is Just Around the Corner
Learning experiences such as this very wet wetlands field trip help participants in the Kane County Certified Naturalist program understand the connections within our local…
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Is That Big Turtle Native, Or Not?
Does it have a domed carapace? Do its feet lack webs? If so, chances are good you’ve found a turtle in need of rescue. Pictured…
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A Weighty Commitment
TJ the tortoise, at 75 lbs. and still growing, faced homelessness when he outgrew the enclosure at his former residence. He is now “employed” at…
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Ding Dong the Tortoise
Ding Dong, a pet sulcata tortoise, took himself on a little walkabout recently when a gate was accidentally left open. Sulcatas, also known as African…
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What’s In a Name Part 2
The eastern or common mole, also known as Scalopus aquaticus, does not live in water, though its large front feet do an admirable job of…
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What’s In a Name? As It Turns Out, Plenty!
The eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, gets its scientific name from its tyrant-like approach to territory defense, which can include defensive strikes at squirrels, crows and…
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Viceroy Butterflies, the Monarch’s Mimics
Think you’re seeing monarchs mating? Look again! These two butterflies are viceroys, distinguished from monarchs by the dark line across the hindwing and by a…
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A Closer Look at Exoskeletons
This interesting artifact is the cast skin, or exoskeleton, of a dragonfly nymph that has emerged from the water and molted into adulthood. Well, it’s…
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‘Tis the Season for Little Green Men
Hello World! After spending somewhere between two and five years underground, this cicada sheds its hard outer covering one more time in preparation for its…
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Rescued Swifts Fly Free
This fledgling chimney swift was among a group of seven rescued swifts that recently joined a Geneva, IL, flock. Soon these birds and thousands of…
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Cooper’s Hawks Leave the Nest
This young Cooper’s hawk can be identified by its immature plumage—a brown back, white breast with crisp brown streaks—as well as its light-colored eyes. Adult…
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Up, Up and Away! Spiders Go Ballooning
To find sufficient food and avoid getting eaten, spider hatchlings need to disperse quickly. They often take to the air, making use of silken strands,…
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The Truth About Snake Jaws
Randy Ratsnake gives another jaw-dropping performance, using an amazing set of mandibular adaptations to swallow his meal. No unhinging, detaching or dislocating required!
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Losing My Religiosa
European praying mantises can vary widely in color, from light tan to green, but the ‘bullseye’ on the inner surface of the front leg is…
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American Kestrels: Part Two
With assistance from wildlife biologists from the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, American kestrel chicks in the Kane County nest box program are weighed,…
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American Kestrels! Part One
American Kestrels are small falcons that favor grasslands and other areas with low vegetation. These colorful birds, sometimes mistaken for mourning doves, survey their hunting grounds from prominent posts like tall poles and utility lines. Good Natured: American Kestrels! Part One July 15, 2022 Well, it happened again the other day. There I was, sitting
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Can You Spot a Spotless Lady Beetle?
Measuring right around 4 mm, or just over 1/8 in. in length, the polished or ‘spotless’ lady beetle is one of our area’s native ladybug…
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Late-night Love with Long-horned Beetles
Two long-horned beetles found themselves attracted to the light, and each other, on a recent summer night. Good Natured: Late-night Love with Long-horned Beetles July 1, 2022 The other night, even though I was dog tired, I stepped outside for a bit of fresh air before bed. It’s a simple exercise, one I take part
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Old Friends Karen, Phengodes and Neotibicen
This insect’s genus name, Phengodes, can be traced to the Greek word for light-and with good reason. Phengodes larvae and adult females glow continuously ‘with…
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Papa’s Back Is Home to 100 Wee Ones
A male giant water bug broods a clutch of +/- 100 eggs on his back.
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Common Yellowthroat
As shown in this stock photo, the male common yellowthroat bears unmistakable plumage that includes a black mask trimmed on top with white. A denizen…
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Douglas Fir & the Mouse Tail Cones
The tail-like bracts protruding from the cones of the Douglas fir serve as a handy identification trait, as well as a subject for folklore.
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Shagbark Hickory
Curly and colorful, the opening leaf buds of the shagbark hickory sometimes are mistaken for exotic flowers in bloom.
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Virginia Rail
Described as bigger than a robin but smaller than a crow, the Virginia rail is a marsh inhabitant that is considered uncommon in our area.
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The Killdeer – An Amazing Mom!
A killdeer warns a potential threat away from her nest by displaying the orange bands on her tail. She as well as her mate will…
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