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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...

Osprey are currently listed as threatened in Illinois. Photo credit: Adobe Stock/Lauren Swanson

Osprey-Nesting Platform Installed at Dick Young Forest Preserve

Exciting news...

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...

Groundhog in Kane County

UPDATE: Early Spring on the Way ----- Winter's Last Stand or an Early Spring Surprise in Kane County; Only the Groundhog Knows

2/2/24 UPDATE: Woodstock Willie declares an early...

Despite attempts to eradicate it, the spongy (formerly gypsy) moth continues to impact trees throughout our area. This female, full of eggs, was found in Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles in July 2023.

Good Natured: Steps to Kick Invasive Species to the Curb

Over the past couple of weeks, we've established that a) hitchhiking,...

Three communities in Kane County will receive upgrades to their electric vehicle chargers.

Three Kane County Communities Tapped for EV Charging Station Upgrades

Batavia, Elgin and Geneva are among selected communities statewide t...

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