A suburban Chicago ecosystem
Backyard and Home
Location Spotlight
Rain Garden
A Chicago suburban residential yard setting, planted heavily with native plant species. Some cultivars and nonnatives present as well.
Location Visits: Backyard and Home
Days Visited: 360
A location visit is considered any date with at least one species photo taken on that date
Species Counts for Backyard and Home
Species counts are tabulated by determining the number of species tagged in photos from this location.
Click on the Species Category to view the list of species photographed at this location.
Click on the Species Name to view photos of that species taken at this location
Wildlife Species Counts:
Birds: 59 Species
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) [Species Info]
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) [Species Info]
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) [Species Info]
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) [Species Info]
American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) [Species Info]
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) [Species Info]
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) [Species Info]
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) [Species Info]
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) [Species Info]
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) [Species Info]
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) [Species Info]
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) [Species Info]
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) [Species Info]
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) [Species Info]
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) [Species Info]
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) [Species Info]
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) [Species Info]
Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) [Species Info]
Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) [Species Info]
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) [Species Info]
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) [Species Info]
Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) [Species Info]
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) [Species Info]
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) [Species Info]
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) [Species Info]
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) [Species Info]
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) [Species Info]
Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) [Species Info]
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) [Species Info]
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) [Species Info]
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) [Species Info]
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) [Species Info]
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) [Species Info]
Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) [Species Info]
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) [Species Info]
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) [Species Info]
Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) [Species Info]
Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) [Species Info]
Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) [Species Info]
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) [Species Info]
Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) [Species Info]
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) [Species Info]
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) [Species Info]
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) [Species Info]
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) [Species Info]
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) [Species Info]
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) [Species Info]
Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) [Species Info]
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) [Species Info]
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) [Species Info]
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) [Species Info]
Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) [Species Info]
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) [Species Info]
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) [Species Info]
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) [Species Info]
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) [Species Info]
White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) [Species Info]
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) [Species Info]
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) [Species Info]
Butterflies and Moths: 31 Species
American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) [Species Info]
American Snout (Libytheana carinent) [Species Info]
Cabbage White (nonnative) (Pieris rapae) [Species Info]
Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) [Species Info]
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) [Species Info]
Crowned Phlyctaenia Moth (Anania Tertialis) [Species Info]
Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) [Species Info]
Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) [Species Info]
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) [Species Info]
Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) [Species Info]
Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) [Species Info]
Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) [Species Info]
Lesser Maple Spanworm Moth (Macaria pustularia) [Species Info]
Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle) [Species Info]
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) [Species Info]
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) [Species Info]
Nessus Sphinx (Amphion floridensis) [Species Info]
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) [Species Info]
Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) [Species Info]
Peck's Skipper (Polites peckius) [Species Info]
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) [Species Info]
Plume Moth Species (Pterophoridae spp) [Species Info]
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) [Species Info]
Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax) [Species Info]
Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) [Species Info]
Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) [Species Info]
Squash Vine Borer (Melittia cucurbitae) [Species Info]
Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) [Species Info]
Tawny-edged Skipper (Polites themistocles) [Species Info]
Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) [Species Info]
White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma) [Species Info]
Dragonflies and Damselflies: 10 Species
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) [Species Info]
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) [Species Info]
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) [Species Info]
Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) [Species Info]
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) [Species Info]
Great Spreadwing (Archilestes grandis) [Species Info]
Shadow Darner (Aeshna umbrosa) [Species Info]
Skimming Bluet (Enallagma geminatum) [Species Info]
Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) [Species Info]
White-faced/Ruby/Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum spp) [Species Info]
Bees, Wasps, and Flies: 26 Species
American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus) [Species Info]
Bristle Sweat Bee (Lasioglossum imitatum) [Species Info]
Brown-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus griseocollis) [Species Info]
Bumble Bee (Bombus spp.) [Species Info]
Common Green Bottle Fly (Lucilia sericata) [Species Info]
Common Paper Wasp (Polistes exclamans) [Species Info]
Coneflower Mining Bee (Andrena rudbeckiae) [Species Info]
- Confusing Furrow Bee (Halictus confusus) [Species Info]
Grass-carrying Wasp (Isodontia elegans) [Species Info]
Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) [Species Info]
Great Golden Digger (Sphex ichneumoneus) [Species Info]
Green-eyed Crane Fly (Tipula bicornis) [Species Info]
Honeysuckle Sawfly (Abia spp) [Species Info]
Leafcutter Bee (Megachile spp) [Species Info]
Margined Calligrapher (Toxomerus marginatus) [Species Info]
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Modest Masked Bee (Hylaeus modestus) [Species Info]
- Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris) [Species Info]
Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) [Species Info]
Potter Wasp (Eumenes fraternus) [Species Info]
- Pure Green Sweat Bee (Augochlora pura) [Species Info]
Syrphid Fly (Syrphidae spp) [Species Info]
Thick-headed Fly (Physocephala tibialis) [Species Info]
Trachusa Leafcutter Bee (Trachusa spp) [Species Info]
Transverse Flower Fly (Eristalis transversa) [Species Info]
Two-spotted Bumble Bee (Bombus bimaculatus) [Species Info]
Yellow Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus) [Species Info]
Other Insects, Spiders, and Bugs: 14 Species
Banded Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus velutinus) [Species Info]
Black and Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) [Species Info]
Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax) [Species Info]
Brood XIII Periodical Cicada (Magicicada spp) [Species Info]
Clouded Plant Bug (Neurocolpus nubilus) [Species Info]
Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) [Species Info]
Fourlined Plant Bug (Poecilocapus lineatus) [Species Info]
Helmeted Squash Bug (Euthochtha galeator) [Species Info]
Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) [Species Info]
Oleander Aphid (Aphis nerii) [Species Info]
Pink Spotted Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) [Species Info]
Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus) [Species Info]
Scarab Beetle species (Valgus hemipterus) (Valgus hemipterus) [Species Info]
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Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) [Species Info]
Mammals: 6 Species
Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) [Species Info]
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) [Species Info]
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) [Species Info]
Raccoon (Procyon lotor) [Species Info]
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) [Species Info]
Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) [Species Info]
Plant Species Counts:
Forbs: 58 Species
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) [Species Info]
Annual Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) [Species Info]
Big-leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla) [Species Info]
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Black-eyed Susan (Orange Coneflower) (Rudbeckia fulgida) [Species Info]
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) [Species Info]
Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) [Species Info]
Bradbury's Monarda (Monarda Bradburiana) [Species Info]
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) [Species Info]
Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis) [Species Info]
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) [Species Info]
Cinnamon Willow Herb (Epilobium coloratum) [Species Info]
Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) [Species Info]
Common Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) [Species Info]
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) [Species Info]
Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) [Species Info]
Early Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) [Species Info]
False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) [Species Info]
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) [Species Info]
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) [Species Info]
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Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia syphilitica) [Species Info]
Halberd-leaved Rose Mallow (Hibiscus laevis) [Species Info]
Heart-leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) [Species Info]
Heart-leaved Golden Alexander (Zizia aptera) [Species Info]
Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) [Species Info]
Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum) [Species Info]
Joe Pye Weed ('Little Joe' cultivar) (Eutrochium dubium) [Species Info]
Lance-leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) [Species Info]
Marsh Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) [Species Info]
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) [Species Info]
Meadow Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylus) [Species Info]
Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens) [Species Info]
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) [Species Info]
Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) [Species Info]
Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum) [Species Info]
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) [Species Info]
Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) [Species Info]
Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) [Species Info]
Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) [Species Info]
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) [Species Info]
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpura) [Species Info]
Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens) [Species Info]
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) [Species Info]
Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra) [Species Info]
Royal Catchfly (Silene regia) [Species Info]
Sawtooth Sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus) [Species Info]
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) [Species Info]
Sullivant's Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii) [Species Info]
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) [Species Info]
Sweet Joe Pye (Eutrochium purpureum) [Species Info]
Tall Bellflower (Campanula americana) [Species Info]
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) [Species Info]
White Clover (Nonnative) (Trifolium repens) [Species Info]
Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) [Species Info]
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) [Species Info]
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) [Species Info]
Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis) [Species Info]
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Yellow Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) [Species Info]
Zig Zag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) [Species Info]
Shrubs and Trees: 9 Species
American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) [Species Info]
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) [Species Info]
Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) [Species Info]
Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) [Species Info]
Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) [Species Info]
Kalm's St. John's Wort (Hypericum kalmianum) [Species Info]
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) [Species Info]
Serviceberry (Amelanchier grandiflora) [Species Info]
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) [Species Info]
Scenic Photos of Backyard and Home
The following images help set the scene for this location, providing a glimpse of the available habitat. Click on any image for a Closer Look.
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Rain Garden
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Rain Garden
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Backyard Deck Area
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Backyard Garden
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Backyard Garden
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Rain Garden
Purple Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower, Blue Vervain, Joe Pye, and Queen of the Prairie
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Rain Garden
Queen of the Prairie, Yellow Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Joe Pye, and Blue Vervain
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Rain Garden
Yellow Coneflower, Queen of the Prairie, Wild Bergamot, Joe Pye, Purple Coneflower, and Blue Vervain
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Rain Garden
Purple Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower, Joe Pye Weed, Wild Bergamot, Common Elderberry
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Rain Garden
Purple Coneflower, Queen of the Prairie, Yellow Coneflower, Joe Pye, and Blue Vervain
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Rain Garden
Purple Coneflower, Yellow Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, and Joe Pye
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Rain Garden
Yellow Coneflower, Blue Vervain, Purple Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, Joe Pye, Prairie Blazingstar, and Queen of the Prairie
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Rain Garden
Yellow Coneflower, Blue Vervain, Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, and Joe Pye
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Rain Garden
Queen of the Prairie, Yellow Coneflower, and Purple Coneflower
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Garden Along the North Side of the House
Common Buttonbush, Kalm's St. John's Wart, Sweet Joe Pye, and Tall Bellflower
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North Front Garden
View from the porch
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Garden on the Slope
In Bloom: Purple Coneflower, Royal Catchfly, Anise Hyssop, Annual Sunflower, Daisy Fleabane
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Backyard and Home Species Preview
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American Crow
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American Goldfinch
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American Redstart
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American Robin
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American Tree Sparrow
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Bald Eagle
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Baltimore Oriole
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Bay-breasted Warbler
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Black-capped Chickadee
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
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Brown Thrasher
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Brown-headed Cowbird
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Canada Goose
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Chimney Swift
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Chipping Sparrow
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Common Grackle
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Common Nighthawk
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Common Redpoll
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Common Yellowthroat
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