Do April showers really bring May flowers? This well-known saying is often said during a spring rainfall, but how true is it?    Hepatica...

The world is home to dozens of wild cats, including lions, tigers and jaguars. However, just one wild cat lives in Illinois — the bobcat....

Spring begins a new symphony of sounds. Bird calls amplify. Thawed-out amphibians scream. Flying insects buzz by. Humans begin to spend...

Illinois is home to two fox species, the red fox and the gray fox. Based on their names, you would think it would be pretty easy to tell...

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....

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,...

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...

What's that crunching beneath your feet? Is it frozen ground? Ice crystals? Crumbly snow? Does an uncommon glimmer catch your eye? Take a...

Bats are among the most mysterious and misunderstood animals, but they are also among our most essential. A bat hanging upside down in a...

Now that the leaves have fallen and the tops of trees are exposed, you might notice something unique up in those treetops or bushes....

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...

This time of year, the leaves are falling; the trails are littered with tree seeds; and squirrels, chipmunks and similar critters are...

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?...

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...

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...

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...

What images come to mind when you hear the word autumn? Pumpkins? Acorns? Beautiful colors?  Trees come alive with shades of green,...

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...

Fall is here, which means pumpkin farms and fall celebrations. Pumpkin patches can be a lot of fun with all the festivities, cute...

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...