Tourism

Perched atop a small hackberry tree, a male red-winged blackbird eyes a curious naturalist walking along the Fox River Trail in Geneva.

Good Natured: Red-Winged Blackbird Season

​Every year about this time, certain wild neighbors start making headl...
Kane County staff and Board members enjoy Swedish Days.

Kane County Joins in Swedish Days Parade

​Kane County staff and Board members enjoyed walking in the Grand Para...
Miles from home, a displaced cicada sits, silently, as his next adventure awaits.

Good Natured: Cicadas Under Pressure

​The other day I was puttering in the garage and listening, as I often...
Neither bumble bees nor naturalists can resist the sweet smell of Tilia blossoms; the aromas are equally alluring- and perhaps even more so- at night.

Good Natured: Basswoods in Bloom

​I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure St...
Poly Mothman, a polyphemus moth, used chemistry and mechanical means to make his way out of his sturdy cocoon.

Good Natured: Polyphemus Moth and Cocoon Part Two

​Last week we spent some time getting to know Poly Pupa, the cocoon pr...
Kane County Veterans Memorial located at the Kane County Government Center campus in Geneva.

2024 Memorial Day Ceremonies/Events Across Kane County

​“Freedom is not free — It must be earned and preserved by each succee...
A handsome hover fly, which developed from a larva known as a rat-tailed maggot (or 'mousie' to ice fisher people) pauses on top of a flower. Photo credit:  iStock

Good Natured: Rat-Tailed Maggots

​As a little kid, I was really lucky...
On May 16, the Kane County Sheriff's Office announced it would step up enforcement efforts through Memorial Day weekend to remind motorists to "Click It or Ticket."

This Memorial Day, Click It - Don't Risk It

​​Summer is just around the corner, and while travel plans may vary, o...
Eastern phoebes show a preference for nesting in sheltered locations.  They'll also refurbish and reuse their nests, often returning to the same site year after year.  Credit:  iStock/Carol Hamilton

Good Natured: Eastern Phoebes

​Last month the St...
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...
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...