Trumpeter Swans miraculously return to central Illinois count from brink of extinction
Author Archive for Mike Miller
Nature Rambles: Virginius Huber Chase — ramble man of our land
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Virginius Huber Chase — ramble man of our land
Why do I Ramble? A giant reason is because of local pioneers of nature, like this true ‘old-school’ naturalist — ornithologist, archaeologist, entomologist, and even an oologist from Stark County and its Wady Petra
Nature Rambles: Rough legs of tundra pays visit
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Rough legs of tundra pays visit
Nature Rambles: Slow-moving story of steadfast prairie
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Slow-moving story of steadfast prairie
By mid-November, it has surrendered its surface life. The goldenrods are gone, the asters spent, the monarchs long departed. But beneath mat of grasses lies a dense web of roots and fungi, holding the soil together and storing life for spring.
Nature Rambles: Happy OAKtober!
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Happy OAKtober!
Oaks are one of the most diverse trees in North America. The “keystone species” is a plentiful food producer. Acorns are packed with nutrition for birds and mammals, while their leaves are prime food for insects — 900 species of butterflies and moths alone. Insect activity brings in insect eaters and fuel the migration of songbirds in the spring and fall.
Nature Rambles: Mighty migration of the Monarch
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Mighty migration of the Monarch
Wings of wonder: Fourth-generation of this marvelous butterfly travels 3,000 miles from the North back to Mexico
Nature Rambles: This little light of mine means many things as it shines
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: This little light of mine means many things as it shines
As daily sunshine decreases this summer, it signals some species — like swallows — to get started with their seasonal migrations
Nature Rambles: Subshrubs, Leadplant case in point
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Subshrubs, Leadplant case in point
Unique species’ symbiotic relationship with Earth creates cross between shrub and herbaceous plant
Nature Rambles: Prickly nature of our pretty cactus here in Illinois
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Prickly nature of our pretty cactus here in Illinois
Look for beautiful blooms of Prickly Pear, but beware: Be very, very careful handling the plant
Nature Rambles: Fishing for Trout Lillies
by Mike Miller • • Comments Off on Nature Rambles: Fishing for Trout Lillies
Early bloomers — that is, if they do — attract bevy of bees to their colorful dog-toothed violet