Sounds of Insects Night Hike
August 9, 2026 | 7:30 P.M TO 9:30 P.M
Venture out on the trail at Thorn Creek Woods at dusk listening for the chorus of nocturnal insects.
Headlines
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Nature curiosity: How do spiders make silk?
October 4, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeSpider silk is stronger than any other fiber on Earth, but how do these eight-legged creatures make it? They are specially equipped for making silk, with glands and structures designed for just that purpose.
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Creature feature: The beloved American white pelican
September 30, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeAmerican white pelicans make their presence known in Will County twice a year, so get to know more about these biannual visitors in our creature feature.
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Bizarre science: Male honeybees blind their queens with toxic semen
September 24, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeMales bees, the drones, have an unusual way of showing affection for the queen – they try to blind her. It may sound bizarre, but it makes perfectly good sense.
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Debi Shapiro’s ‘Happy Place’ – making memories with her mom at Rock Run Rookery Preserve
September 24, 2019 | RecreationRock Run Rookery Preserve was one of Shapiro's favorite places to take her ill mother so she could get out of the house and enjoy nature.
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Green dragon plant: An uncommon plant with a misleading name
September 24, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeThe name of the green dragon plant conjures up some fantastical images, but in reality you have to have quite an imagination to see the plant's resemblance to a fictitious reptile.
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What's the difference?: Sharp-shinned hawk vs. cooper's hawk
September 23, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeCan't tell the difference between a Cooper's hawk and a sharp-shinned hawk? You're not alone. These two birds are strikingly similar in appearance, but there's a few things to look for to tell them apart.
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Nature curiosity: Why do birds have feathers and not fur or scales?
September 18, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeBirds' feathers make them unique in the animal kingdom, and those feathers help birds in many ways.
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Eavesdropping is a survival skill for squirrels, study shows
September 15, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeSquirrels eavesdrop on birds to help them determine if an area is safe from potential predators, according to a recent study.
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Leaves of three, let it be: How to avoid poison ivy and its itchy rash
September 9, 2019 | Nature and wildlife"Leaves of three, let it be" is a good rule of thumb, but knowing more about poison ivy may help you avoid an itchy rash.
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Wild ways animals protect themselves
September 9, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeSome species have developed defense mechanisms that are crucial for their survival.
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Creature feature: The royal-sounding queen snake
September 5, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeThe royal-sounding queen snake is common in the Great Lakes region. This snake, often seen near water, is sometimes confused with the garter snake and the northern water snake. Learn what sets it apart.
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Nature curiosity: Why do some birds fly in a V formation?
August 29, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeBirds flying in formation can be an awe-inspiring feat of nature, but how do the birds do it? And why?
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Magnificent moths of Will County
August 23, 2019They have a bad rep as being drab, but they are among the most diverse organisms on Earth.
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The sounds of the night: Insects create a nocturnal chorus
August 23, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeIf you listen closely at night, you'll hear a chorus of insects. Cicadas, crickets and katydids all combine to create a symphony of sound.
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A death trap for wildlife: Improperly disposed of fishing line
August 21, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeFishing line seems like an innocuous tool, but in reality it's a death trap for untold numbers of wildlife.
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Creature feature: The loud and imposing red-tailed hawk
August 16, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeThat hawk soaring overhead or perched atop a light pole is probably a red-tailed hawk. Learn more about these high-flying birds.
-
Nature curiosity: How do spiders make silk?
October 4, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeSpider silk is stronger than any other fiber on Earth, but how do these eight-legged creatures make it? They are specially equipped for making silk, with glands and structures designed for just that purpose.
-
Creature feature: The beloved American white pelican
September 30, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeAmerican white pelicans make their presence known in Will County twice a year, so get to know more about these biannual visitors in our creature feature.
-
Bizarre science: Male honeybees blind their queens with toxic semen
September 24, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeMales bees, the drones, have an unusual way of showing affection for the queen – they try to blind her. It may sound bizarre, but it makes perfectly good sense.
-
Debi Shapiro’s ‘Happy Place’ – making memories with her mom at Rock Run Rookery Preserve
September 24, 2019 | RecreationRock Run Rookery Preserve was one of Shapiro's favorite places to take her ill mother so she could get out of the house and enjoy nature.
-
Green dragon plant: An uncommon plant with a misleading name
September 24, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeThe name of the green dragon plant conjures up some fantastical images, but in reality you have to have quite an imagination to see the plant's resemblance to a fictitious reptile.
-
What's the difference?: Sharp-shinned hawk vs. cooper's hawk
September 23, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeCan't tell the difference between a Cooper's hawk and a sharp-shinned hawk? You're not alone. These two birds are strikingly similar in appearance, but there's a few things to look for to tell them apart.
-
Nature curiosity: Why do birds have feathers and not fur or scales?
September 18, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeBirds' feathers make them unique in the animal kingdom, and those feathers help birds in many ways.
-
Eavesdropping is a survival skill for squirrels, study shows
September 15, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeSquirrels eavesdrop on birds to help them determine if an area is safe from potential predators, according to a recent study.
-
Leaves of three, let it be: How to avoid poison ivy and its itchy rash
September 9, 2019 | Nature and wildlife"Leaves of three, let it be" is a good rule of thumb, but knowing more about poison ivy may help you avoid an itchy rash.
-
Wild ways animals protect themselves
September 9, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeSome species have developed defense mechanisms that are crucial for their survival.
-
Creature feature: The royal-sounding queen snake
September 5, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeThe royal-sounding queen snake is common in the Great Lakes region. This snake, often seen near water, is sometimes confused with the garter snake and the northern water snake. Learn what sets it apart.
-
Nature curiosity: Why do some birds fly in a V formation?
August 29, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeBirds flying in formation can be an awe-inspiring feat of nature, but how do the birds do it? And why?
-
Magnificent moths of Will County
August 23, 2019They have a bad rep as being drab, but they are among the most diverse organisms on Earth.
-
The sounds of the night: Insects create a nocturnal chorus
August 23, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeIf you listen closely at night, you'll hear a chorus of insects. Cicadas, crickets and katydids all combine to create a symphony of sound.
-
A death trap for wildlife: Improperly disposed of fishing line
August 21, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeFishing line seems like an innocuous tool, but in reality it's a death trap for untold numbers of wildlife.
-
Creature feature: The loud and imposing red-tailed hawk
August 16, 2019 | Nature and wildlifeThat hawk soaring overhead or perched atop a light pole is probably a red-tailed hawk. Learn more about these high-flying birds.
The Buzz
The monarchs you see at this time of year are special. Here's why
7/31/2026
The monarchs you see at this time of the year are special, part of a 'super generation' different than the three generations that preceded it.
Hummingbirds are already migrating, but it's not time to take down feeders yet
7/30/2026
Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate in waves, and some have already departed. But we'll see the birds in Will County for weeks or even months, so keep filling your feeders.
Bees and wasps invading hummingbird feeders? Here's why — and how to fix it
7/23/2026
If you are seeing more bees than birds at your hummingbird feeders lately, you're not alone. Learn why we see them more at this time of year and how you might keep them away from your hummingbird feeders.