The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A deer in the snow.
Nature curiosity: How do deer stay warm in winter?
2/17/2025Deer can't escape the cold during a long, harsh winter, so how do they survive? They rely on a combination of adaptations and behavioral changes to make it through the cold winter months.
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A skunk walking in the grass.
Love is in the air? It's just skunk mating season
2/13/2025It'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.
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A partially frozen stream in a snowy landscape.
Why is the world so quiet when it snows? The science behind the silence
2/12/2025It's not just a myth that the world seems more quiet after a snowfall. There's science behind the silence.
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A side-by-side comparison of a gray fox and a red fox.
What's the difference?: Red fox vs. gray fox
2/10/2025Illinois is home to two fox species, the red fox and the gray fox, and telling the difference between them isn't always as easy as looking at the color of their fur.
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A snowy owl standing on the snow-covered ground with snowy trees in the background.
Quiz: How savvy are you about snowy owls?
2/9/2025Take this quiz to see how much you know about this treasured species.
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Sparkling snow on the ground.
Nature curiosity: Why does some snow sparkle?
2/6/2025Have 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.
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A turtle with a muddy shell sitting on a log in the water.
Nature curiosity: Why and how do turtles breathe with their butts?
2/5/2025How do turtles breathe while they are underwater all winter? Through their butts, so to speak.
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Heavy snow falling on a snow-covered trail lined by trees.
What's the difference?: Blizzard vs. snowstorm
2/4/2025Snowstorms are often anticipated for days ahead of their arrival, but when does a snowstorm become a blizzard?
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Canada geese swimming in the water with steam rising up from the water.
Nature curiosity: What is the polar vortex?
2/4/2025When winter temperatures get really cold, the polar vortex is to blame. But what, exactly, is the polar vortex and why does it sometimes affect our weather.
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Quiz: What animal is this?
2/3/2025Think you know our local wildlife? Prove it with this 10-question quiz.
Current Headlines
Hidden Oaks Nature Center reopens with oak-tastic vibes and family fun
More than 1,400 people attended the grand reopening celebration for the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook on May 3. The site was closed for 15 months for a $2 million makeover.
From college to colony: Meet Plum Creek's new beekeeper
New beekeeper Dade Bradley brings curiosity, conservation and community spirit to Plum Creek Nature Center. Get to know him and more about bees at the monthly Meet a Beekeeper programs at Plum Creek starting Saturday, May 10.