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3 days ago3 min read
What Is the Polar Vortex? The Arctic Blast Explained
Certain things in winter are expected. It’s going to be cold, so we need to make sure we have our hats, gloves and boots at the ready....
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Feb 122 min read
Turtle Talk: Turtles Communicate Without Making A Sound
Do you hug your family members? Have you smiled at a friend or gotten a kiss from your grandmother? Maybe you gave a gift to a neighbor,...
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Feb 43 min read
Thunder in a Snowstorm? It's a Rare Phenomenon
You are probably used to hearing the sound of thunder in the distance. It’s a common sound during Midwestern summers. We even hear it in...
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Jan 144 min read
Walking on Needles Is Fun When It's Needle Ice
What's that crunching beneath your feet? Is it frozen ground? Ice crystals? Crumbly snow? Does an uncommon glimmer catch your eye? Take a...
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Dec 24, 20243 min read
Fungal Illness Infecting Bats Threatens Their Population
Bats are among the most mysterious and misunderstood animals, but they are also among our most essential. A bat hanging upside down in a...
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Dec 12, 20244 min read
Winter Reveal: Peek Inside a Bald-Faced Hornet Nest
Now that the leaves have fallen and the tops of trees are exposed, you might notice something unique up in those treetops or bushes....
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Dec 3, 20243 min read
Why Do Some Eyes Glow? The Secrets of Eyeshine
December is a time of darkness. The sun sets early, perfect for exploring the world at night without having to stay up super late. One of...
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Nov 22, 20244 min read
Cracking the Case: A Look Inside the Nuts of Trees
This time of year, the leaves are falling; the trails are littered with tree seeds; and squirrels, chipmunks and similar critters are...
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Nov 19, 20245 min read
Deer Say Quite a Bit Without Making a Sound
How can we tell if a deer has been in an area if we don’t actually see the animal? Can deer let other animals know what they are up to?...
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Nov 15, 20244 min read
Puffball Mushrooms Can Be Hard to Resist
Mushrooms aren't an unusual find on an outdoor adventure. But there is one kind of mushroom that can be a little hard to pass by once you...
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Nov 8, 20243 min read
How Do Snakes Slither? They Were Built for It
Most animals that live on land rely on their legs or wings to get around. And winged creatures like birds and insects even have legs that...
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Nov 1, 20243 min read
Two Lookalike Finches Create ID Confusion
Some small birds are easy to identify. Cardinals aren't often confused with another bird. And it's not hard to pick a blue jay out of a...
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Oct 18, 20245 min read
Marvelous Maple Trees Really Shine in Fall
What images come to mind when you hear the word autumn? Pumpkins? Acorns? Beautiful colors? Trees come alive with shades of green,...
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Oct 11, 20243 min read
Poison Ivy or Harmless Virginia Creeper? Here's How To Tell
Have you heard the saying "leaves of three, let it be?" It can be good to know to help you avoid poison ivy. But there’s another phrase...
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Oct 8, 20244 min read
Hay Is for Horses, but What About Straw?
Fall is here, which means pumpkin farms and fall celebrations. Pumpkin patches can be a lot of fun with all the festivities, cute...
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Oct 4, 20243 min read
Spotted Lanternfly Is One Insect We Don't Want Around
One insect has been getting plenty of headlines for the past few years, but for all the wrong reasons. Have you heard of the spotted...
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Oct 1, 20244 min read
Let's Take a Peak at Birds' Beaks
Imagine a cardinal and an owl. How do they look different from each other? Size and color probably come to mind first. The male...
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Aug 30, 20243 min read
Beavers Buck the Trend of Small Rodents
What animals come to mind when you think about rodents? Mice and rats? Those are rodents. Or maybe chipmunks and squirrels? They are...
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Aug 16, 20244 min read
Something Weird on Forest Floor Could Be Slime Mold
What do chocolate, scrambled eggs, raspberries and dog vomit have in common? They are all common names for slime mold! Slime mold is...
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Aug 13, 20242 min read
Sniffling From Seasonal Allergies? Don't Blame Goldenrod
There's something in the air, and it might be making you sniffle and sneeze. Plenty of people suffer from seasonal allergies, and in late...
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