A few weeks ago, I found myself gazing at the night sky, parked on the edge of a cornfield in my flannel pajamas. It’s not every day that something so extraordinary and urgent comes along that I leave the house in my slippers; but a picture-perfect aurora borealis is just that. As the greens and pinks danced in the sky, I knew that whatever was happening up there felt almost like magic. Turns out, it’s all thanks to the sun.
As fall and winter approach, we are seeing an increase in bird migration. Many of these birds are going to warmer areas, like Arizona, Texas, Mississippi, etc. But did you know that Minnesota is another popular location for birds to spend the wintertime, especially for one common raptor.
Minnesota boasts incredible coniferous and hardwood forests in the northern part of the state as well as plenty of deciduous forests in the south. In amongst the deciduous forests, lay hidden gems that are a feast for the eyes, and the stomachs.
Every evening this summer, the sky above Main Street fills with small, fast moving birds darting and chirping above the buildings. While they are unnoticed by most, it only takes one look up to realize these are not ordinary birds. Nicknamed “flying cigars” because of their slender, tube-shaped bodies, their amazing speed and constant aerial acrobatics make them hard to miss once you know what to look for. These are Chimney Swifts, and while they have spent the last several months performing every night on Main Street and throughout town, by the end of September they will all be gone.
It’s time to understand these tiny, sly bugs that often result in breaking out the bug spray or heading back inside. No-see-ums, also referred to as sand gnats, biting midges, punkies, moose flies, five-o’s, and sandflies, are well known for being party poopers. But what are they, really?
Quickly approaching are the “dog days” of summer – a period of some of the hottest days, typically around the second half of July. While most of us are trying to beat the heat, our cicadas emerge to sing the one and only song of their lives.
Special guest Musician and Educator Will Bjorndal is on today. We talk about Will’s week long residency at the Nature Center and his path to write and perform children’s music.
I visit with Sydney Weisinger, Teacher Naturalist at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. We talk about the importance of adding native plants and flowers to the landscape around your property.
I visit with Luke Reese, Director at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center as he introduces us to the Summer Intern at the Nature Center, Mackenzie Andrews.
This week we talk about the annual Friends of the Nature Center Bus Trip, the summer mentorship program, and some wonderful events coming your way throughout the summer months.
