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WillCoForestPreserve @WillCoForests

The Forest Preserve District of Will County brings people and nature together. Also us: @TodaysBird | @WildlifeofDay | @TodaysBaldEagle | @TodayInNature.

Joined October 2009
  • Tweets 23,771
  • Following 3,677
  • Followers 16,775
18,094 Photos and videos
Mosquitoes are part of summer, but they do not have to ruin it. Dump standing water, wear light colors, use repellent and let a fan do the work. And if all else fails… try a little Skrillex. 📸: Shutterstock #Mosquitoes #BugProtection #WillCoForests
A swarm of mosquitoes with long legs and wings flying against a blurred green background.

ALT A swarm of mosquitoes with long legs and wings flying against a blurred green background.
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June skies are putting on a show! Look for Venus and Jupiter on June 8 and 9, Mercury with the crescent moon on June 17, and the Strawberry Moon on June 29. Which one will you be watching? 📸: Shutterstock #NightSky #StrawberryMoon #WillCoForests
A bright full moon shines through the branches of bare trees against a dark blue night sky.

ALT A bright full moon shines through the branches of bare trees against a dark blue night sky.
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Those outstretched wings are not for show! Double crested cormorants spread them to dry after diving for fish. Keep an eye out this summer. 📸: Joe Viola #DoubleCrestedCormorants #BirdWatching #WillCoForests
A silhouette of a bird perched on a branch against an orange sky. The bird has its beak slightly open and is facing upward.

ALT A silhouette of a bird perched on a branch against an orange sky. The bird has its beak slightly open and is facing upward.
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Meet the green heron! One of the few birds known to use tools, it drops bait onto the water to lure fish within striking distance. 📸: Brenda Schultz #GreenHeron #BirdWatching #WillCoForests
A bird with blue and purple feathers stands on a horizontal branch against a blurred natural background.

ALT A bird with blue and purple feathers stands on a horizontal branch against a blurred natural background.
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Summer just got an upgrade! New missions have been added to Be a Trailblazer, giving you even more ways to explore the preserves, get moving, and earn rewards. Join the challenge and hit the trails today! reconnectwithnature.org/be-a… #BeATrailblazer #WillCoForests
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See birds through a new lens! Marcia Whitney-Schenck uses watercolors, fluid acrylics, collage and embroidery to illustrate state birds and showcase their importance to their state. The Winged Ambassadors art exhibit is on display at Plum Creek Nature Center through Sept. 6th.
A person wearing a vibrant red and orange gown stands in a dark, abstract setting, with a pheasant nearby. Light shines from the left, casting a soft glow.

ALT A person wearing a vibrant red and orange gown stands in a dark, abstract setting, with a pheasant nearby. Light shines from the left, casting a soft glow.
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Just 120 minutes a week in nature can boost your physical and mental well being. Great Outdoors Month is the perfect excuse to hit the trails and get outside. How will you spend your two hours? 📸: Chris Cheng #GreatOutdoorsMonth #Outside #WillCoForests
Three people are sitting on grass by a pond, facing away. One is showing something on a phone to the others. The pond is surrounded by greenery and trees, with patches of algae on the water.

ALT Three people are sitting on grass by a pond, facing away. One is showing something on a phone to the others. The pond is surrounded by greenery and trees, with patches of algae on the water.
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No pollinators, no chocolate and many of our favorite foods. Planting native flowers and trees helps protect the bees, butterflies and birds we all depend on. Celebrate the amazing creatures at this Pollinator Week event! 📸: Laurie Lasseter
A butterfly with orange and brown patterned wings is resting on a rocky surface. The wings have eye-like spots along the edges.

ALT A butterfly with orange and brown patterned wings is resting on a rocky surface. The wings have eye-like spots along the edges.
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Longer days are here! The summer solstice on June 21st brings more than 15 hours of daylight, giving us extra time to hike, bike, camp and explore. How will you spend it? 📸: Michelle Wendling #SummerSolstice #LongerDays #WillCoForests
A winding gravel path leads through a misty field at dawn. The sky is a gradient of soft pink and orange hues, with silhouettes of distant trees.

ALT A winding gravel path leads through a misty field at dawn. The sky is a gradient of soft pink and orange hues, with silhouettes of distant trees.
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Eastern bluebirds once declined by nearly 90%, but conservation efforts like nesting boxes helped these bright birds make an incredible comeback. 📸: Erwin Ty #WillCoForests #BirdWatching #EasternBluebirds
A bluebird with vibrant blue and orange plumage is perched on a slender branch against a soft, neutral background. The image is credited to Erwin Ty Photography.

ALT A bluebird with vibrant blue and orange plumage is perched on a slender branch against a soft, neutral background. The image is credited to Erwin Ty Photography.
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Did you know Will County has lizards? The six-lined racerunner is a speedy prairie reptile that can even drop its tail to escape predators. 📸: Cathy Gibbons #WillCoForests #SixLinedRacerunner #Lizards
A small lizard with a long, slender tail and distinctive striped patterns rests on sandy soil. The stripes are light against a darker brown body.

ALT A small lizard with a long, slender tail and distinctive striped patterns rests on sandy soil. The stripes are light against a darker brown body.
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Want more birds in your yard? Native plants provide seeds, fruit and insects birds naturally rely on, while water and shelter make your yard even more inviting. 📸: Chad Morsch #WillCoForests #BirdWatching #Birding
A small yellow bird perched on a tree branch against a lush green background.

ALT A small yellow bird perched on a tree branch against a lush green background.
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Celebrate Pollinator Week at Isle a la Cache with a fun filled day for the whole family! Learn how pollinators support our ecosystems and food supply, explore hands-on activities and crafts, shop native plants and enjoy delicious food to celebrate! reconnectwithnature.org/even…
A Monarch butterfly perched on a vibrant yellow sunflower against a clear blue background.

ALT A Monarch butterfly perched on a vibrant yellow sunflower against a clear blue background.
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Woodchucks have mastered the art of life: snack, sunbathe, nap, repeat. 📸: Jonathan Catigano #Woodchucks #WillCoForests #Groundhog
A groundhog is partially visible among green and yellow foliage in a natural setting. The background is blurred, emphasizing the animal in the foreground.

ALT A groundhog is partially visible among green and yellow foliage in a natural setting. The background is blurred, emphasizing the animal in the foreground.
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Learning to fly takes practice. Fledglings often hop around on the ground before mastering flight, and their parents are usually nearby keeping watch. 📸: Jen Radwan #Fleglings #BirdWatching #WillCoForests
A fledgling bird with its beak wide open is perched on a wooden fence. An adult American robin is next to it, holding worms in its beak. The background is a soft-focus greenery.

ALT A fledgling bird with its beak wide open is perched on a wooden fence. An adult American robin is next to it, holding worms in its beak. The background is a soft-focus greenery.
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Wet grass doesn’t always mean overnight rain. Morning dew forms when cool overnight temperatures cause moisture in the air to condense on grass. 📸: Shutterstock #WillCoForests #Grass
Close-up of dew-covered grass blades with a sunrise in the background, creating a serene and fresh atmosphere.

ALT Close-up of dew-covered grass blades with a sunrise in the background, creating a serene and fresh atmosphere.
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Get your kicks on Route 66 this summer! Explore preserves, landmarks and hidden gems across Will County with the free Goosechase challenge for prizes and swag. 📸: Shutterstock #Route66 #WillCoForests #GetYourKicks
A straight road with a single white center line stretches into the distance, surrounded by lush green trees on both sides under a clear blue sky.

ALT A straight road with a single white center line stretches into the distance, surrounded by lush green trees on both sides under a clear blue sky.
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Meet the pyrrhuloxia! A close relative of the cardinal with gray plumage and red highlights, found in the Southwest and facing habitat decline. 📸: Adobe Stock #WillCoForests #Pyrrhuloxia #BirdWatching
A bird with a red crest and orange beak perches on a green cactus with long spines. The background is a soft, blurred natural landscape.

ALT A bird with a red crest and orange beak perches on a green cactus with long spines. The background is a soft, blurred natural landscape.
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Let’s play a game of this or that! What are you choosing? #WillCoForests #ThisOrThat #Wildlife
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Let's celebrate our pollinators!! Learn about insects, plants, animals and their tasks. Enjoy a plant sale, Kona Ice and Taco Maui at this fun outdoor event. Pollinator Party When:10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13 Where: Isle a la Cache Museum reconnectwithnature.org/news…
A Monarch butterfly rests on a vibrant yellow sunflower against a clear blue sky.

ALT A Monarch butterfly rests on a vibrant yellow sunflower against a clear blue sky.
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