by Carl Strang
photo by Marcy Rogge
In this blog I will focus on natural history investigations in northeastern Illinois (especially DuPage County) and the surrounding region. My greatest attention will be given to insects (especially singing insects, damselflies and dragonflies), birds, mammals and geology. By “investigations” I mean a broad range of studies, from general or anecdotal observations to more focused scientific studies. The purpose is not only to share information but also to encourage others to go from general nature appreciation to more focused attention with a scientific approach. In particular I hope that this will encourage children and teachers to learn about science from the inside by conducting their own inquiries in the outdoors. I will make occasional reference to the scientific literature and to technical points and theory, but I intend to do so in a manner readily digestible (and, I hope, enjoyable) for those who lack a formal background but have an interest in natural history.
Though I work as a naturalist for a county park system, this is a personal blog and does not in any way represent my employer. Inevitably, however, much of what I report will be observations within the properties of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. I also may use this space from time to time to promote opportunities related to its subject matter within the District.
My background is a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology, in which the thesis work was a study of glaucous gulls in western Alaska in the early 1970’s. After a 5-year stint of college teaching during which I studied wood and eastern box turtles, I retread myself as an interpretive naturalist. Though I no longer need to publish (and don’t have funds to pay journals’ page fees!), my interest in doing science remains. Since moving to Illinois I have been studying leaf eating insects in the forest understory (especially leaf miners of sugar/black maples, and interactions between an ermine moth and a trailing woody plant), and more recently singing insects (general survey work has not been done in Illinois since the 1930’s; also I did a focused study of periodical cicadas during their 2007 emergence). I have been a dragonfly monitor since the inception of that program in the Chicago Wilderness consortium. Smaller studies have indulged my curiosity about the social structure and movement patterns of whitetail deer; the route followed by the local lobe of the most recent continental glacier; and I soon will attempt an inventory of Canada goose winter flock roosting and foraging geography within the county. In addition I make broader observations that allow me to follow the natural history of the properties where I spend the most time (my home neighborhood, and the preserve where my office is located). This is science in the old fashioned sense of satisfying general curiosity, which academics no longer have the luxury of indulging. Their pressure to focus on narrow theoretical or applied subjects has its costs, and I hope that this blog will compensate in a small way.
steve said,
December 11, 2008 at 2:57 pm
very nice, i quite enjoyed my quick review of your cite. i am always amazed at what you are up to, and appreciate what you do.
steven krichbaum said,
June 14, 2009 at 10:33 am
hi Mr. Strang – wonderful web site and wonderful work you are doing – imagine, a naturalist!! – regrettably a rarity in this day – of all the research i have read, your paper on Wood/Box Turtle ecology is one of my very favorites – i study and work to conserve Wood Turtles in Virginia and West Virginia – would it be possible for us to talk on the telephone about turtle natural history? – if so, please send me contact info – my number is xxx-xxx-xxxx thank you – steven krichbaum
natureinquiries said,
June 15, 2009 at 5:53 am
Thanks, Steven,
I’ll contact you by separate e-mail. I very much enjoyed sticking my toe into herp ecology during those few years in Pennsylvania. Sadly, there are no wood or box turtles where I am now, though we do have one semi-terrestrial species, Blanding’s turtle. It has become rare, and my organization has a significant rearing-and-release program going, but I am not involved in it. I’ll feature it in the blog some time.
Jim Effinger said,
July 11, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Carl,
I finally got around to “Metamorphoses” Carl Strang’s 2008 Gift CD. I really enjoyed it. The music was great and the Kafka story, “Metamorphoses” was inspiring. I had no idea the wonderful talent you possess. The next time we are together I need to learn more about your skills. I also enjoy your blog, you are a man of many talents. Thank you for the CD, I will play it often.
Jim Effinger
coleen zebeluk said,
July 31, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Hello Carl,
I’ve only just discovered your site and will explore it at length when time permits! At first glance it looks impressive! Your website is quite diverse and informative.
My partner and I are living in southern Manitoba on a five acre rural site. We have embarked on an ambitious project; planting the site with native vegetation (grasses, forbs, sedge and shrubs) In doing so we seem to be attracting various birds and insects some of which we have been able to identify, some not. We have a website documenting our project http://www.silverplains.ca/ We have pages for birds and insects which you may find interesting.
sam droege said,
August 31, 2009 at 9:12 am
Carl:
Thought you might be interested in this:
http://www.discoverlife.org/cricket
Also I can’t seem to figure out how to subscribe to your blog so I can be alerted to when you do a new post.
Thanks
sam
Alan Resetar said,
October 24, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Hi Carl:
I just ran across your website while searching Marshall County Indiana salamanders. Do you recall ever finding slimy salamanders, smallmouth salamanders, two-lined salamanders, pickerel frogs or cricket frogs during your childhood in the Culver area or any trips back there?
Great website!!!!
Thanks.
Alan
natureinquiries said,
October 25, 2009 at 6:20 am
Hi, Alan,
I don’t have recent observations of any of those species. As a child (1950’s-60’s) I remember slimy salamanders in the Academy’s Bird Sanctuary associated with the little stream that runs through it. Cricket frogs were abundant both at the Fish Hatchery west of Culver and in places along the Lake Maxinkuckee shore. I don’t have memories of the other species. Slimy salamanders could well still be where they were, and cricket frogs may survive at the Fish Hatchery, but unless there are some in the state wetlands at the south end of Maxinkuckee, cricket frogs were doomed by the sea wall fad that made the lake a bathtub some years ago.
Regards,
Carl