The Buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A red fox standing on a large rock in the dark.
Nature curiosity: Why are some animals nocturnal?
1/27/2023Read moreWhy do some animals prowl around under the cover of darkness? Because it helps them survive and thrive.
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A snowy owl with wings outstretched on the snowy ground.
Five fast facts about stunning snowy owls
1/20/2023Read moreHave you ever been lucky enough to spot a snowy owl? Learn what makes these owls such a prized find.
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A side-by-side comparison of a gray squirrel and a fox squirrel.
What's the difference: Eastern fox squirrel vs. eastern gray squirrel
1/11/2023Read moreThe sight of a squirrel zipping up, down and all around our trees and forests is a familiar one to most people, but the zany antics of these critters can be the work of one of two species: fox squirrels or gray squirrels. Learn the difference between them.
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A white-tailed deer in the snow.
Feeding deer in winter: You're doing more harm than good
1/9/2023Read moreThink you're doing the deer a favor by feeding them in winter? You're actually doing them much more harm than good.
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An American mink alert in a grassy field.
Five fast facts about secretive American minks
12/30/2022Read moreThat furry, brown critter scurrying along the shoreline might just be an American mink, one of our lesser known semiaquatic mammals.
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A hairless Sphinx cat standing on a rock.
Nature curiosity: Do other mammals go bald like humans?
12/22/2022Read morePlenty of humans go bald, but do other animals lose their hair as they age?
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Horseshoe crabs on the shore.
You may bleed red, but not all animals do
12/21/2022Read moreRed blood certainly isn't unique in the animal kingdom, but it's far from universal.
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A trio of whooping cranes flying over a wetland.
Why are whooping cranes still so rare?
12/16/2022Read moreThe story of the whooping crane is a troubled one that nearly ended with these majestic birds' extinction. And while small populations of these cranes still do exist today, they haven't experienced the conservation successes that we've seen with other birds, like bald eagles and great egrets.
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A side-by-side comparison of a house mouse and a Norway rat.
What's the difference?: Mouse vs. rat
12/15/2022Read moreIf you see a rodent scurrying across your floor, you may not care if it is a mouse or a rat, but there are several key differences between them. And while some mice and rats are non-native nuisances, native species of both also live in Illinois.
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A red fox.
Five fast facts about resourceful red foxes
12/9/2022Read moreThe red fox is the only fox that lives in northern Illinois, and they have earned their reputation for being clever and cunning.
Current Headlines
Take It Outside challenge draws participants from as far away as Florida and Ireland
While the bulk of Take It Outside challenge participants are from Will County, many are crossing county lines to take part in this popular program.
Rock Run Greenway Trail closed at Olympic Boulevard
The Rock Run Greenway Trail section at Olympic Boulevard is closed for a City of Joliet project. The trail section is expected to reopen in the fall.