LOOK UP! Kool sky event.

SEE THIS SKY EVENT EVEN IN CHICAGO.

Venus, the thin crescent Moon, and a little Mars form a tight bunch in the west-southwest during and after dusk as shown below. On February 20, they fit in a circle just 2 degrees across at the times of dusk with the Moon below. On February 21, they fit in a circle just 4 degrees across with the moon above at the time of dusk just like the picture below.

See more at Sky and Telescope Week at a Glance

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, IL

Great Backyard Bird Count

Great Backyard Bird Count

February 13—16, 2015

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a fun, free, family-friendly activity to engage experienced birders in citizen science, and the perfect opportunity to introduce new people to birdwatching. Participating in the count is as simple as counting birds for as few as 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, and then reporting the results online at birdcount.org. 

Bluejay at Val's Feeder-they REALLY like peanuts!

Project Feeder Watch

ALL YEAR

Here is another citizen science site where you can count and record your bird sightings. Project Feeder Watch at http://feederwatch.org/

Scholar and Teacher watching a bird.

House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, IL

Winter Reveal! Look Who Was Living Here!

When the leaves drop I am always AMAZED at who was living so close to me and I didn't EVEN know it. Take a look...

A Bald-Faced Hornet nest in the parking lot.

Robin Nest Made of Mud, Grass and Sticks

Red Winged Black Bird Nest in Marsh

Bird Nest Made of Small Sticks in Marsh-Bird Unknown

 Muskrat Home on Edge of Marsh

A Squirrel's nest known as a DRAY.
A Squirrel's nest has leaves rather than sticks or grasses.

Click for More About... 

...Bald-Faced Hornets

...Red Winged Blackbirds   

...Robins    

...Muskrats

...Squirrels

AND a KOOL thing to do...

...Project Squirrel (a Citizen Science Project)