My birding bucket list is mostly in my head and hopelessly long. It contains birds I want to see, places I wish to go and milestones I hope to achieve. For some items, I'll need some big-time luck. One aspiration, for example, is to host a rare bi...

If this column is a bit tardy, blame "The Feather Thief." It stole my time! If the next book I open is only half as good, I'll be happy. My previous piece recapped the 2018 birding year. However, since that rambler was submitted in mid-December, it...

Every day, armies of anonymous cybercriminals are working to steal your personal and company assets. When successful, your sensitive data shows up on the Dark Web, the internet back alley where hackers trade, sell and exploit credit card numbers, pa...

Could it be that birding gets more interesting and more exciting the longer we do it? Dedicated watchers know the answer is yes. The 2018 birding year, officially The Year of the Bird, only increased our curiosity and passion for the hobby. It was...

The Robert R. McCormick House at Cantigny Park is playing host to a holiday attraction honoring the colonel's philanthropic legacy. Continuing through Dec. 30, McCormick House will feature seven "Community Trees," each decorated for Christmas by a...

Some say the most memorable birds are rarely the ones you expect to see. I agree, but there are exceptions. Let me tell you about one. In September, I traveled to Portland, Oregon, for a nephew's wedding. Weeks before the trip — OK, months — I bega...

Some say the most memorable birds are rarely the ones you expect to see. I agree, but there are exceptions. Let me tell you about one. In September, I traveled to Portland, Oregon, for a nephew's wedding. Weeks before the trip - OK, months - I bega...

Cantigny Park is inviting amateur photographers to enter their best images in the Cantigny in Focus annual photo contest. The submission deadline for entries is Wednesday, Nov. 14. Submitted images (maximum 10) must be from the grounds of Cantigny ...

Sometimes it's better to enjoy the season without the fear factor. Horror fans, hear us out: Imagine strolling through a garden of pumpkins and autumn accents at a leisurely pace without having to glance over your shoulder every few seconds to see i...

Twenty years ago last month, I witnessed my first yellow-billed cuckoo. Saw it well, too, at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn. A few things made that experience especially rewarding. First, I found the cuckoo all by myself. It's satis...