Animals

Cicadas are clumsy flyers that travel only short distances.  To figure out whether you should expect Brood XIII periodical cicadas in your neighborhood this year, look back to 2007.  If none existed then, they won't be there now either.  Credit: V. Blaine

Good Natured: History of Periodical Cicadas Will Repeat Itself

​Perhaps you've heard the adage, “Never let the truth get in the way o...
Meet Peter Parker!

Kane County Animal Control Pet of the Week - Peter Parker

“With great power comes great responsibility...
Periodical cicadas are predicted to emerge throughout northern Illinois in just a few weeks.  But will their appearance live up to all the hype?  Credit: Valerie Blaine

Good Natured: Periodical Cicadas

​In just a few weeks, one of the year's biggest natural phenomena will...
Lady Daffodil is available for adoption at Kane County Animal Control

Pet of the Week: Lady Daffodil

​The story of how a dog or cat becomes a stray usually stays a mystery...
Its wings angled toward the afternoon sun, a red admiral soaks up some warming rays at Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles

Good Natured: Red Admirals

​I don't think of admirals often (you can blame my family's Army herit...
As a female yellow-bellied sapsucker methodically drills her sapwells, two flies (left) arrive to inspect her progress and, soon, partake of a sweet treat.  Credit:  Banu R

Good Natured: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

​Ten years ago I purchased a small shelving unit built by a local craf...
Kane County 911 staff members enjoy a 'hoppy' reunion with Autumn and Winter.

911 Staffer 'Hops' into Action

​Life as a 911 telecommunicator is like taking a ride on a rollercoast...
Danger, yellow bullheads! Danger!  The schreckstoff, or 'scary stuff' present in the skin cells of the fish in this heron's bill likely saved other bullheads from a similar fate.

Good Natured: Fish Alarm Chemicals

​“Ist das nicht eine Schnitzelbank...
On a sunny day in April 2014, persons unknown left this box of bunnies at Ferson Creek Fen in St. Charles.

Good Natured: Pet Rabbits Make Lousy Easter Gifts

​​Note: Today's column first ran in April 2014...
Adjustment to cost of Rabies vaccine fees

Increase in Rabies Vaccine Cost at Kane County Animal Control

​The Kane County Board has approved an adjustment to the rabies vacci...
After being counted, measured and sexed, tiger salamanders in the St. Charles Park monitoring program are released in their  breeding pond.  The presence of a healthy population of salamanders is an indicator of a healthy habitat.

Good Natured: Salamander Season

​My three-year-old self couldn't believe her eyes...