The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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A crow and a raven side by side.
What's the difference?: Crow vs. raven
1/19/2022Read moreCrow or raven? In Illinois, all bets are on crow, but there are some clues to help you know for sure.
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Sparkling snow on the ground.
Nature curiosity: Why does some snow sparkle?
1/18/2022Read moreHave you ever noticed that some snow is particularly sparkly or glittery? Scientists call it "snow sparkle," an effect caused by sunlight reflecting off ice crystals in the snow.
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What's the better view: Fall or winter at Goodenow Grove?
1/11/2022Read moreWe have to admit that they're both pretty amazing. But if you had to choose, which one would it be?
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A lady beetle on a brown leaf.
Nature curiosity: Where do insects go in winter?
1/10/2022Read moreWhere did all the insects go for winter? It depends on the species.
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A gray squirrel in the snow with snow all over its fur.
Survival stories: How animals endure winter's worst weather
1/9/2022Read moreWhen given the choice, most of us choose to spend most of the winter indoors. Animals, though, don't exactly have a choice.
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The full moon with a halo around it.
See a ring around the sun or moon? It's a 22-degree halo
1/7/2022Read moreRings of light that can sometimes be seen around the sun or moon are called halos, and we see them because of light refracting off of ice crystals high up in the clouds.
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A blue jay perched on a branch.
Five fascinating facts about bedeviling blue jays
1/3/2022Read moreBlue jays are one of our most recognizable birds, and they are plenty interesting too.
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A red-bellied woodpecker and a red-headed woodpecker side by side.
What's the difference?: Red-bellied woodpecker vs. red-headed woodpecker
12/16/2021Read moreRed-headed and red-bellied woodpeckers are often confused with one another, but not because they look alike. Instead, it's because the name red-headed woodpecker is fitting for both birds.
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A tick on skin.
A mild winter means no break from ticks
12/15/2021Read moreThe arrival of winter isn't a guarantee that ticks don't pose a threat to you or your pets. If the temperature is above freezing and the ground isn't frozen, some ticks are still active, which means they can still spread tick-borne illnesses.
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A short-tailed shrew on the ground.
Five fun facts about wonderfully weird northern short-tailed shrews
12/13/2021Read moreYou may have seen a short-tailed shrew and mistaken it for a mouse, but these animals are entirely different. And the shrews are about as weird as it gets.
Current Headlines
Joliet Junction Trail section to close in December for Interstate 80 work
A section of the Joliet Junction Trail is scheduled to be closed for several days in December due to an Interstate 80 improvement project. The trail will be closed from McDonough Street to Moen Avenue.
Healing With Nature: Crete man battling cancer finds health and hope on paths at Goodenow Grove
Tom Scott of Crete is giving thanks this year for the people in his life who pushed him to start walking at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve as he was recovering from cancer. The daily hikes have given him better health, hope for the future and a new appreciation of nature.