Throughout these many months of cold we have endured, I’ve tried to help my winter-weary friends stay positive. After every new dump of snow I’d…
Eastern Phoebe
Local Nature Anecdotes
Have you ever found yourself faced with so many great choices that you can’t possibly choose just one? I have that problem when it comes…
Canada Geese
Remember when Canada geese were a fly-by-night group? Back then, before our resident goose populations took hold, it was big news when these large, majestic…
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Every family has one. You know what I’m talking about – that one relative who is gifted beyond belief with agility and coordination. In our…
Northern Shrike
Citizens of Kane, beware: The butcher birds are back! That’s right folks-Lanius excubitor has returned to our fair land. But instead of running for cover,…
Hairy Woodpeckers
Although the word “hairy” isn’t itself inherently bad, it’s often used to describe something that is less than ideal. A hairy situation typically is one…
Winter Wrens
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never really thought of the TriCities, or even the greater Chicagoland region, as a hotbed for cave dwellers.…
Hermit Thrush
Not long ago Hickory Knolls had the good fortune to host several hundred seventh graders from Thompson Middle School in St. Charles. Their objective was…
Blue Jay Calls
There’s no mistaking the distinctive call of the blue jay. Or is there? Most folks can easily associate this common bird with its characteristic “Jeer!”…
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…