Willy's Wilderness

10/15/2026

If you're in the habit of squishing bugs you find around the house, you might want to think twice if you spy a flat, brown bug hiding out indoors. There’s a good chance it’s a stink bug, and their name is no accident.

For some people, one of the less desirable things about fall is that insects start making their way indoors as temperatures begin to drop.

10/13/2026

It's migration season for birds, so which of our feathered friends are coming and going and which are staying put for the winter? Take our 10-question quiz to find out. Quiz link in comments.

10/09/2026

You know what rocks? Illinois' state rock! Learn why dolomite earned this special title and how it tells the story of Illinois' prehistoric past.

Did you know Illinois has a state rock? Discover how dolomite formed in ancient seas, why it matters and where you might find it today.

10/07/2026

Did you know Illinois has an official state mushroom? It’s the giant puffball! Find out what makes this big, round mushroom so interesting and how it can release millions — or even trillions — of spores into the air.

Puffballs are spherical mushrooms that release clouds of spores when touched or hit by rain. Found in grassy areas and forests, they help decompose organic matter. Giant puffballs can reach massive sizes and were named Illinois’ official state mushroom in 2024. Some species have medicinal uses and...

10/06/2026

Muskrats love cattails and can hold their breath underwater for up to 15 minutes. Dive into more fun facts about these furry wetland animals.

Muskrats are skilled swimmers that make their homes near water. Learn about their favorite foods, their babies and how they survive winter.

10/02/2026

Meet the tiny elf owl, the smallest raptor in the world. They are only about the size of a sparrow and weigh less than a tennis ball! Learn how this tiny desert hunter compares to Illinois owls and how it makes its way in the world.

Meet the elf owl, the world’s smallest raptor. Learn how these tiny desert birds compare to Illinois owls and discover what they eat, where they live and more.

09/30/2026

Venus flytraps aren't the only plant that eats insects. There's another one you might find growing closer to home.

The spoonleaf sundew is a small carnivorous plant found in Will County. It lives in wet, acidic soil and supplements its diet by trapping and digesting insects with sticky, dew-like drops on its leaves. Though it looks delicate, this plant is a fierce predator and a great example of nature’s adapt...

09/25/2026

If trees could talk, what stories would they tell? A tree’s bark, branches, scars and even its rings can give us clues about what it has lived through. Take a closer look at the trees around you to discover some of the stories they have to tell.

Trees have amazing stories to tell. Learn how burls, scars, animal homes, tree rings and other clues can reveal what a tree has experienced.

09/23/2026

You’ve probably seen fox squirrels and gray squirrels scurrying around our trees and forests, but you may not have spied a red squirrel in your neighborhood. Red squirrels live in northeastern Illinois, but they are far less common than other tree squirrels.

Red squirrels look similar to fox squirrels and gray squirrels, but they are much smaller, usually between 10 inches and 15 inches long. Their tails are also shorter and less bushy. Their fur is mostly orangish-red, but they have white bellies. They also have a ring of white fur around their eyes that helps distinguish them from other squirrels. Like their familiar relatives, red squirrels eat seeds, nuts and other plant matter. They prefer forests with pine trees but also live in deciduous forests.

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09/22/2026

Have you seen squirrels digging here, there and everywhere this fall? They are busy storing food for winter. A single squirrel can bury thousands of nuts in a season! Click the link below to learn some more nutty facts about squirrels.

Squirrels spend fall hiding thousands of nuts to prepare for winter. Learn how they store their food, find it again and help new trees grow.