Have you seen those social media memes about how there are 12 different seasons in Illinois? There's winter, then fools's spring, then second winter, spring of deception, third winter, mud season, actual spring and so on and so forth. Well, the last Friday in February was fool's spring, a day too nice to spend indoors.
If you pay attention, plenty of clues are starting to pop up that signal warmer days are on the horizon.
Robins are the quintessential American bird, but how much do you really know about them?
One of the most anticipated events among birders each spring and fall is the arrival of the American white pelicans, and now is the time you'll once again start seeing these birds along waterways in the area.
It's peak migration season for sandhill cranes, so don't be surprised if you hear their loud, bugling call overhead.
A Q&A with famous paleontologist Steve Brusatte delves into the evolution of mammals after the age of dinosaurs.
A group of pickleball pals is among the latest to discover the benefits of joining the Be a Trailblazer experience.
Have you ever noticed that some snow is particularly sparkly or glittery? Scientists call it "snow sparkle," an effect caused by sunlight reflecting off ice crystals in the snow.
Despite what you may have heard, woolly bear caterpillars can't predict how bad the winter weather will be. But they do have a pretty cool way to survive even the most frigid temperatures.
With temperatures in the 60s, spring fever is hitting hard. All the more reason to make time to spend my lunch break outside.
African buffalo are one of two buffalo species in the world, and they share many similarities with North American bison.
Our Wander at Will series takes us to Lake Renwick Preserve for a winter dog walk.
The Nature Foundation of Will County raised more than $40,000 for Forest Preserve District recreational and educational programs.
It's skunk mating season, and as male skunks are out and about searching for mates, we may have more close encounters with these animals, resulting in that telltale smell in the air.
Pesky seagulls get a lot of attention from humans, but there is more to these birds than their thieving ways.
The Forest Preserve District received a Silver Ribbon Award from Friends of the Chicago River for the Lockport Prairie and Prairie Bluff Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Have you seen those social media memes about how there are 12 different seasons in Illinois? There's winter, then fools's spring, then second winter, spring of deception, third winter, mud season, actual spring and so on and so forth. Well, the last Friday in February was fool's spring, a day too nice to spend indoors.
If you pay attention, plenty of clues are starting to pop up that signal warmer days are on the horizon.
Robins are the quintessential American bird, but how much do you really know about them?
One of the most anticipated events among birders each spring and fall is the arrival of the American white pelicans, and now is the time you'll once again start seeing these birds along waterways in the area.
It's peak migration season for sandhill cranes, so don't be surprised if you hear their loud, bugling call overhead.
A Q&A with famous paleontologist Steve Brusatte delves into the evolution of mammals after the age of dinosaurs.
A group of pickleball pals is among the latest to discover the benefits of joining the Be a Trailblazer experience.
Have you ever noticed that some snow is particularly sparkly or glittery? Scientists call it "snow sparkle," an effect caused by sunlight reflecting off ice crystals in the snow.
Despite what you may have heard, woolly bear caterpillars can't predict how bad the winter weather will be. But they do have a pretty cool way to survive even the most frigid temperatures.
With temperatures in the 60s, spring fever is hitting hard. All the more reason to make time to spend my lunch break outside.
African buffalo are one of two buffalo species in the world, and they share many similarities with North American bison.
Our Wander at Will series takes us to Lake Renwick Preserve for a winter dog walk.
The Nature Foundation of Will County raised more than $40,000 for Forest Preserve District recreational and educational programs.
It's skunk mating season, and as male skunks are out and about searching for mates, we may have more close encounters with these animals, resulting in that telltale smell in the air.
Pesky seagulls get a lot of attention from humans, but there is more to these birds than their thieving ways.
The Forest Preserve District received a Silver Ribbon Award from Friends of the Chicago River for the Lockport Prairie and Prairie Bluff Ecosystem Restoration Project.
See the dazzling spectacle of nesting herons, egrets and cormorants at our weekly bird viewings at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve.
Venture out on the trail at Thorn Creek Woods at dusk listening for the chorus of nocturnal insects.
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.
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.
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.