• Nature Nearby is written by Valerie Blaine, the nature programs manager for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. You may reach her by email, blainevalerie@kaneforest.com.

The English language is rich with idioms. Some expressions make sense and reflect “real” biology; some make no sense or just plain implausible. Many of these sayings come from a time when we were closer to the natural world. Here are some of my favorites.

‘Eats Like a Bird’

“She eats like a bird” — but, which bird? Depending on the bird, this could be a compliment or a criticism. Take the Turkey Vulture, for example. This big, bald-headed scavenger sticks its face into carcasses of savory dead things. Post repast, the vulture pukes part of the meal to share with its young.

Or, consider birds of prey like owls and hawks. These birds rip their prey apart and eat it, fur, feathers, meat and all.  Someone who eats like these birds is not likely to get invited to dinner parties.

What if you eat like a chickadee? The familiar Black-capped Chickadees are polite enough eaters, but they consume vast quantities of seed to keep up with their metabolic needs. While the expression “to eat like a bird” means to eat daintily and sparingly, the truth is that lots of birds stuff themselves with second helpings, thirds, fourths and more, all day long.

‘Swan Song’

While we’re talking birds, there’s the bittersweet “swan song.” Legend has it, however, that a swan will sing a heartbreakingly beautiful song just before it dies. Thus, a swan song is a farewell performance or a final appearance before death. Most of the swans we see around here are Mute Swans — they can’t sing. When the end is near, they can’t sing a swan song.

‘Eating Crow’

Then, there’s “eating crow.”  To eat crow means to humbly admit a mistake. This expression originates from the fact that crows, who eat anything and everything, make very bad eating themselves. Eating crow is an unpleasant experience, both literally and figuratively. Crows taste terrible, and admitting that you’re wrong is not so great either!

‘As the Crow Flies’

Another crow-inspired idiom is, “as the crow flies.” This refers to the most direct way to get from point A to point B. Presumably crows don’t mess around when they’re navigating from one road kill to the next, and they take the shortest distance. However, I’ve seen crows flying in circles and arcs and loop-de-loops. “As the crow flies” may not always be the quickest route.

‘Blind as a Bat’

“Blind as a bat” is an expression with understandable origins. It’s misleading, though, because bats are not blind. Bats are active at night, and they don’t rely on sight as much as we diurnal, earth-bound humans do.

We need to see the menu to order our food. Bats don’t need to see; they find food with built-in sonar. By emitting high-frequency sound waves and reading the waves bouncing back, bats determine the location of their prey.

‘The Bee’s Knees’

What about “the bee’s knees”? The expression “the bee’s knees” means the height of excellence. The origins of the idiom are unclear. I’m going with the explanation that it’s just a nonsense, catchy phrase from the 1920s. Bees don’t really have knees, of course. They do have corbiculae. These are carrying cases, or pollen baskets, on their legs. I guess “the bee’s knees” has a better ring to it than “the bee’s corbiculae.”

‘Cat’s Pajamas’

How about the cat’s pajamas?  This expression means that something is awesome, great, or daring.  I’ve only had one cat in my life, and if he’s representative of felines, there’s no way you could get a cat to wear pajamas. Besides, cats already know they’re great.

‘Quiet as a Mouse’

What about “quiet as a mouse”? If you have ever had mice in your house, you’ll know how much noise they can make, especially in the middle of the night when all else is still and you’re trying to sleep.

Let’s see, there’s sleeping like a log, beating around the bush, barking up the wrong tree – the list of nature-based idioms goes on and on. Lots of these figures of speech originated when we, as a culture, were more agrarian, and therefore more in touch with nature. There are several generations of people nowadays who have never made hay while the sun shines, looked for anything in a haystack, or hit the hay at the end of the day. Many of us have never put eggs in a basket, let alone all of them in one basket, and there are lots of people who have never sowed oats, wild or otherwise.

Language changes to reflect the times, but some expressions are hard to shake. These nature-based idioms will stay with us until the cows come home.

Get Close to Nature!

Check out these fun programs in the Forest Preserve District of Kane County in March! The following programs are for all ages. To see a full listing of spring events, visit http://www.kaneforest.com/publications/treeLine.pdf

Maple Sugaring Days

The sweetest spot in all of Kane County will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, where the Forest Preserve District hosts “Maple Sugaring Days.”

Everyone’s invited to come learn the time-honored tradition of maple tapping. Forest Preserve naturalists will show how to tap a maple tree, and you’ll have the opportunity to try your hand at drilling and setting a tap.

You’ll simmer sap over an open fire and watch as it thickens to syrup. Join the “Sugarin’ Time” hike to learn to distinguish maples from other species of hardwood trees. Plus, Creek Bend Nature Center will be open. You’re welcome to enjoy all of the interactive exhibits available.

No registration is required for this free nature program. Creek Bend Nature Center is located within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve at 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles.

For more information on Maple Sugaring Days, call 630-444-3190 or visit www.kaneforest.com.

Search for Skunk Cabbage

With a name like Skunk Cabbage, this is not the kind of spring wildflower most people look for — but it is one of the most fascinating botanical wonders of our woods!

On this guided walk, we’ll find skunk cabbage in bloom and learn about its unique traits. Skunk Cabbage grows in wet woods, so wear shoes or boots that can get muddy. Advance registration is required. Call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com to register.

• When: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 19
• Where: Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls 40W095 Freeman Rd., Gilberts
• Cost: FREE

Feathered Friends

Are you curious about the birds in your back yard? Want to know more about the birds that migrate in spring? Join the KCFP on an introductory birding adventure.

You’ll learn the basics of bird identification — what to look for, how to find birds by silhouette, shape, size, behavior and song. You’ll get some binoculars available to loan. Advance registration is required. Call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com to register.

• When: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30
• Where: Creek Bend Nature Center LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
• Cost: FREE