Tagged: Tourism - Page 3

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...
2024 Earth Day celebrations are being held throughout Kane County.

Earth Day Celebrations in Kane County

​Earth Day celebrations are taking place in a number of Kane County co...
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...
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...
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...
Odorous house ants' natural habitat is outdoors but, drawn by easy access to food and shelter, they often find their way into homes. Credit:  Wirestock

Good Natured: Odorous House Ant Part 2

​With Illinois' General Primary just around the corner, I'm inclined t...
Small bordering on teensy, Tapinoma sessile measures just under 1/8-in. in length.  Pictured here next to a toothpick, it's an ant that shows up regularly in houses each spring.

Good Natured: Odorous House Ant

​Every year or so, right around this time, the dedicated staff at Good...
Smaller than most geese, the Ross's goose is an unusual sighting in Kane County.  Photo credits: Gordon Garcia

Good Natured: The Ross's Goose

​It's that time of year again folks—spring waterfowl migration...
This hairy woodpecker, identified by the size of its bill rather than its plumage, this winter has been an infrequent visitor to a birdfeeder in Campton Township. Credit:  Leslie Martin

Good Natured: Color Conundrum in Birds

​Last week when we took a look at the life and times of the hairy wood...
Hairy woodpeckers can be distinguished from downies by their larger size, larger bill in relation to the head and a lack of spots on the outer tail feathers. Credit:  Carol Hamilton

Good Natured: Hairy Woodpeckers

​Although the word “hairy" isn't itself inherently bad, it's ofte...