Lake Co. pets and nature

Events that involve pets, animals and plants, such as pet washes, adoption days, nature walks, microchipping, nature photography exhibits, nature tours, bird walks, calls for volunteers for nature-related work days, etc. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

July 25

Raptors for Photographers: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Drop in program to allow photographers to get an unimpeded close-up of great horned, barn, and screech owls plus a peregrine falcon and broad-winged hawk. The birds will be brought out in the favorable morning light (all the birds won't be available at the same moment). Not for those who can't distinguish between a phone and a camera. $5 per person. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.

July 26

Bugs and Butterflies: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Join Stillman's naturalist and search the nature center's woods and fields for butterflies, beetles, grasshoppers and other bugs. If you've got a bug net at home, bring it along. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.

Gardeners of the North Shore walk: noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Free and open to the public. Landscape homes of five couples will be featured in the villages of Northbrook, Deerfield, Riverwoods and Morton Grove. For information, (847) 945-2837.

July 27

Summer Horse Camp: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, July 27 to Aug. 7, or Aug. 10-21. Ages 4-12 can learn an appreciation of horses while learning stable management. The cost is $375 per child per 2-week session. For details, call the Lindenhurst Park District, at (847) 356-6011.

Plant Clinic: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27, Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. The master gardeners with the University of Illinois Extension will answer gardening questions and identify disease, insect and weed problems. Registration is not required. For details, call (847) 918-3206 or visit fremontlibrary.org.

July 28

Creepy Crawly Bug program: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, Citizens for Conservation Headquarters, 459 W. Highway 22, Barrington. Ages 3-6 learn about bugs through stories, a walk in the grass and a craft. Outdoor program, dress accordingly. To register, (847) 382-1300 or barringtonarealibrary.org.

July 30

A Zoo to You: 3-7 p.m. Thursday, July 30, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Visit the library's parking lot to see chickens, goats, llamas and other animals. No registration needed. Call (847) 438-3433.

Aug. 1

Batfest: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, Shelter E at Lakewood Forest Preserve, on Route 176, just west of Fairfield Road near Wauconda. All ages are invited. Costumes are encouraged. Bat learning stations will be offered throughout the event, as well as crafts for kids, face painting, a bat house construction workshop and raffle drawings. The grand finale will be watching more than 300 bats leave their lair to head out for their nightly food hunt. This year, experts will harmlessly net a few bats so everyone can get an up-close look. $3 per person ($4 for non-Lake County residents). Registration is not required. For information, call (847) 968-3321. For more information on bats, visit LCFPD.org and download the brochure "Lake County Guide to Bats."

Adventure in Nature series: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, Citizens for Conservation office, 459 W. Route 22, Barrington. Topic, Birds: Children hike to discover the birds that call Flint Creek Savanna home during summers, seeing the variety of birds that live on the prairie. For children kindergarten and older; adults encouraged to attend. $3-$5 per child. Free for adults. Register one week before class at (847) 382 7283.

Aug. 2

Bird Banding: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Aug. 2, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Watch Mark Spreyer, a licensed bird bander, measure, weigh and record data about resident and migratory birds. Birds are not caught in a predictable manner, so come prepared to hike the trails. Free. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org.

Aug. 4

Garden Club of Lake Zurich: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 22480 Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. "Animal Resistant Gardening" will be presented by Mel Zaloudek, a 20-year member of the Horticulture Faculty of Triton College. Learn to minimize landscape losses through a combined approach of plant selection, physical barriers and repellents. Guests are welcome. For information, call (847) 819-3490.

Aug. 6

Garden Club of South Barrington: Thursday, Aug. 6, car pool to St. Charles for a tour of Country Garden Cuisine Cooking school and to view extensive herb and vegetable gardens. Call Anita, (847) 277-7151.

Butterfly Fun at Vehe Farm: 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, Vehe Farm, 23570 Cuba Road, Deer Park. Ages 2-8 watch for butterflies, hear stories, and make a craft at the Betty McLaughlin Memorial Butterfly Garden at Vehe Farm. Bring a blanket to sit on. Presented by Hampshire Farms, the Barrington Area Library and Vehe Farm Foundation for the village of Deer Park. Register at barringtonarealibrary.org. (847) 382-1300.

Aug. 10

Summer Horse Camp: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, Aug. 10-21. Ages 4-12 can learn an appreciation of horses while learning stable management. The cost is $375 per child per 2-week session. For details, call the Lindenhurst Park District, at (847) 356-6011.

Aug. 15

Pawgust Fest: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 25775 St. Mary's Road, Libertyville. The Labrador Education and Rescue Network will sponsor a day of fun for all dogs and their owners, with activities and services, including dog massages, grooming services, pet photography, micro-chipping and more. A "dog communicator" will be on hand. $10 per person or $15 per family. Call (847) 362-6812.

Aug. 17

Poisonous Plants of Horses: Register by Monday, Aug. 17. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 22, University of Illinois Extension - Lake County, 100 S. U.S. Highway 45, Grayslake. Horse and stable owners are welcome to come to a workshop to learn about common plants that can harm horses. This workshop is sponsored by the Lake County Unit, University of Illinois Extension. Registration is $25 ($10 if under 18) by Saturday, Aug. 15; $35 ($15 if under 18) after. To register call (847) 223-8627 or go to web.extension.uiuc.edu/lake then select poisonous plants.

Aug. 20

Once Upon a Bird: 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. Hear bird stories and visit a live bird or work on a simple craft. Come dressed to be outside. The program will be done in less than an hour. If it is raining, this activity will be canceled. For ages 4-9. $2 per child, adults are free. For reservations, call (847) 428-6957. Visit stillmannc.org.

Spring and Summer Plant Clinics: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Master gardeners from the University of Illinois will be on-hand to answer gardening questions and offer advice. This program is free, and registration is not required. For information, call (847) 438-3433.

Aug. 23

Sunday Morning Bird Walks: 8 a.m. Sunday Aug. 23, 33 W. Penny Road. South Barrington. For ages 10 and up (all ages welcome on June 21 in honor of Father's Day). Free morning bird walk. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. If it's raining, the activity will be canceled. To attend, call (847) 428-6957. Visit stillmannc.org.

Aug. 29

Microchip Your Pet: Schedule a time on Saturday, Aug. 29, Loving Care Animal Clinic, 2633 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Have your pet safely identified with a permanent microchip that gets injected under the skin, that animal shelters, police departments and animal clinics can scan to identify the animal. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, reptiles and exotics can be chipped; $25 per pet. To schedule an appointment call (847) 670-8488.

Ongoing

Pooch Pantry: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Lake County Animal Control, 29278 N. Highway 83, Mundelein. Accepting donations of dry and canned dog and cat food, treats and domestic bird food; gift cards for PetSmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus; cat litter; resealable plastic bags; and pet welfare goods such as bowls and toys. The Pooch Pantry will be open for families in need from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For information, call (847) 566-1960.

Puppy Playtime: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Doggy Day Camp, Inc., 21212 W. Commercial Drive, Mundelein. Puppies 10 weeks to 6 months of age with proof of vaccinations can play with other puppies for free in a safe, off-leash environment. Puppies must be in good health and free from any contagious diseases within the past 30 days. Advance registration is required. For information, call (847) 970-6777 or visit DoggyDayCampInc.com.

Citizens for Conservation seed collection: Thursdays and Saturdays 9 -11 a.m.; and Sundays 3:30-5 p.m., 459 W. Highway 22, Lake Barrington. Volunteers of all ages are invited to help collect seeds from a wide variety of native plants. (847) 382-7283.