The buzz
All Buzz Articles
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Honeybee on a a plant
Bizarre science: Male honeybees blind their queens with toxic semen
9/24/2019Read moreMales bees, the drones, have an unusual way of showing affection for the queen – they try to blind her. It may sound bizarre, but it makes perfectly good sense.
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Green dragon plant in the forest
Green dragon plant: An uncommon plant with a misleading name
9/24/2019Read moreThe name of the green dragon plant conjures up some fantastical images, but in reality you have to have quite an imagination to see the plant's resemblance to a fictitious reptile.
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A sharp-shinned hawk and a Cooper's hawk
What's the difference?: Sharp-shinned hawk vs. cooper's hawk
9/23/2019Read moreCan't tell the difference between a Cooper's hawk and a sharp-shinned hawk? You're not alone. These two birds are strikingly similar in appearance, but there's a few things to look for to tell them apart.
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An eastern bluebird on a branch
Nature curiosity: Why do birds have feathers and not fur or scales?
9/18/2019Read moreBirds' feathers make them unique in the animal kingdom, and those feathers help birds in many ways.
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An eastern gray squirrel on a branch
Eavesdropping is a survival skill for squirrels, study shows
9/15/2019Read moreSquirrels eavesdrop on birds to help them determine if an area is safe from potential predators, according to a recent study.
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Poison ivy on the forest floor
Leaves of three, let it be: How to avoid poison ivy and its itchy rash
9/9/2019Read more"Leaves of three, let it be" is a good rule of thumb, but knowing more about poison ivy may help you avoid an itchy rash.
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Queen snake draped over tree branches
Creature feature: The royal-sounding queen snake
9/5/2019Read moreThe royal-sounding queen snake is common in the Great Lakes region. This snake, often seen near water, is sometimes confused with the garter snake and the northern water snake. Learn what sets it apart.
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Birds flying in a V formation
Nature curiosity: Why do some birds fly in a V formation?
8/29/2019Read moreBirds flying in formation can be an awe-inspiring feat of nature, but how do the birds do it? And why?
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A katydid on a yellow flower
The sounds of the night: Insects create a nocturnal chorus
8/23/2019Read moreIf you listen closely at night, you'll hear a chorus of insects. Cicadas, crickets and katydids all combine to create a symphony of sound.
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A wad of fishing line caught on a branch
A death trap for wildlife: Improperly disposed of fishing line
8/21/2019Read moreFishing line seems like an innocuous tool, but in reality it's a death trap for untold numbers of wildlife.
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.