Valerie Blaine
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Strive to make every day Earth Day -- bring about lasting changeNov 07, 2021 8:45 am - Everyone, it seems, wants to don the emerald glasses and be "green" for a day. Plant a tree and you're green! Recycle pop cans and you're green! Buy earth-friendly hand...
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The gym is great, but outdoors better for total workoutNov 07, 2021 1:01 am - Last winter I entered the 21st century world of fitness clubbing. This is tough to admit after forty-some years running on trails through woods and fields, in mountains ...
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Peaceful skunks have powerful defenseNov 06, 2021 10:06 pm - It's March and winter is gasping its last breath. You open your porch door to welcome the fresh air of spring. A distinct and unmistakable aroma rises from under the de...
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Message of light pollution spreads at speed of lightNov 06, 2021 7:49 pm - Those Daily Herald newspaper carriers really get around. Comments on my recent column on light pollution came from as far away as Duluth, Minnesota and New Zealand. Just...
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Hunger and mating keep mammals from hibernating around hereNov 06, 2021 5:10 pm - It's the dead of winter. Do you know where your wildlife is? As the snow flies and the wind howls, many of us retreat into TiVo'ed hibernation. But look out the window f...
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Shedding light on light pollutionNov 06, 2021 1:00 pm - Remember the story about the three guys in the desert who followed a star in the dark night sky? Remember when there was a dark night sky? Today three men (wise though t...
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Belted Kingfisher equal parts beauty and legendNov 06, 2021 2:53 am - There's a bird of mythic fame in our midst. It's a symbol of peace, and it wards off bad weather. The bird in question? The Belted Kingfisher. Of our winter birds, the K...
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Learn about world of owls at nature programNov 06, 2021 12:49 am - Want to see for yourself what this wildlife communication is all about? The Kane County Forest Preserve District offers several naturalist-guided programs this holiday s...
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Coyotes, wolves and foxes, oh my!Nov 06, 2021 12:44 am - Spotting a coyote is a novelty for some people, as this stealthy predator prefers to remain under the radar. When people do see - or hear - a coyote the questions come p...
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Experience real-life from nature's point of viewNov 05, 2021 8:35 pm - The kids spilled out of the school bus full of enthusiasm for their field trip at Tekakwitha Woods. Before the naturalists could greet the class, one boy announced that ...