Animals

There are only certain times during the year homeowners may remove bats from "non-living" areas.

Bats in Your Attic? Homeowners Have Until October 30 to Remove Them

​Going batty with unwelcomed guests hanging around at your home...
The eastern or common mole, is also known as Scalopus aquaticus, does not live in water, though its large front feet do an admirable job of swimming through soil.  Photo credit:  Dr. William J. Weber

Good Natured: What's in a Name?

​So last week we dipped a pinky toe into the pool that is scientific b...
The eastern kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus, gets its scientific name from its tyrant-like approach to territory defense, which can include defensive strikes at squirrels, crows and even hawks. Photo credit:  US Fish & Wildlife

Good Natured: It's Greek to Me

​I've been in a literature sort of mood recently, and have come to rea...
Celebrate farming traditions and attend the 128th Big Rock Plowing Match and Festival.

128th Big Rock Plowing Match and Festival to be Held September 16-18

​The small agricultural community of Big Rock is the site of big famil...
A family of white-tailed deer cross the Gilman Trail in Aurora in winter.

'Chronic Wasting Disease' in Deer Subject of IDNR Meetings in Northern Illinois

​Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal disease that impacts the cen...
This interesting artifact is the cast skin, or exoskeleton, of a dragonfly nymph that has emerged from the water and molted into adulthood.

Good Natured: The Season of Shed Skins

​Well, it's that time of year again, the Season of Shed Skins...
Hello world!  After spending somewhere between two and five years underground, this cicada sheds its hard outer covering one more time in preparation for its final stage of life.

Good Natured: The Cicada

​When was the last time you saw a little green man...
Protect your puppy from preventable viruses

Good Time to Talk About Routine Healthcare for Your Pet

Agricultural officials have identified the highly contagious canine pa...
The Kane County Farm Bureau planted its first pollinator rain garden in 2020 at its location in St. Charles.

Illinois-Shaped Pollinator Garden in the Works in Kane County

​Did you know that one out of every three bites of food we eat depends...
A rescued chimney swift fledgling.

Good Natured: Chimney Swifts

​People head to downtown Geneva, IL, for all sorts of reasons...
Animals like Thistle at the Kane County Animal Control need a furever home.

Kane County Animal Shelter At Capacity: Furever Homes Needed

​Many local animal shelters, including Kane County Animal Control,...
This young Cooper's hawk can be identified by its immature plumage- a brown back, white breast with crisp brown streaks- as well as its light-colored eyes.  Adult birds have a bluish-gray back, orangish bars on the breast and red eyes.

Good Natured: Cooper's Hawk

​August is back-to-school month, a time when kids of all ages leave ho...