We mark the start of spring in many ways - the first sighting of a particular bird or blooming plant, packing away winter gear, when we reach the point of the vernal equinox, or when meteorological spring starts on March 1st. That's when the nature center began its Signs of Spring contest - 89 days ago. But what a spring it's been.
According to the KARE-11 weather team, we've had below average temperatures for 65 of those days. That means that for 73% of this spring, it's been cool - downright cold at times. Things are green, but the ground isn't particularly warm yet, so, even though we're past Memorial Day weekend - the tradition weekend to plant gardens - I don't feel bad at all. Nothing's ready to grow.
We wrap up this season of endless cold and rain in two days - I never thought I'd be so glad to see spring end!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Look closely and you'll see...
What a week at the nature center! There's been lots of rain (lots and lots and lots...), but it hasn't stopped animals from being active.
Monday afternoon, second graders from an area school were doing an aquatics class. We were taking samples from an ephemeral pond (one that dries up by the end of spring) and found fairy shrimp. They are tiny - less than one inch long. I didn't take this picture (didn't have a camera with me) but we were fascinated by the ways the fairy shrimp moved. The feathery gills fluttered like they were doing the wave - from the head to the tail and back towards the head. Very cool...
On Tuesday, I was at the Lilly Property with the Heritage E-STEM 7th graders doing prairie studies. While walking down one of the main trails, we spotted a fawn - not more than three feet off the path. This gave us a great opportunity to have the students apply what they'd recently learned about natural selection - what the advantage is to a species to have the young all be born at the same time. We talked about the way fawns defend themselves and saw this played out when the second group of students came out later in the morning . Since it really can't fight to protect itself, a fawn will remain still and try to blend in. That strategy hadn't really work since it was right next to the trail and we could all see it. But by the time the second group came out, the fawn had moved (or been moved by mom). The students (while looking for live traps we had set) found the fawn - hunkered down in more of a brushy area nearer to the woods. We haven't seen it since Tuesday, but assume it is alive and well.
Crossing and recrossing the prairie, I've spotted garter snakes - two smaller ones (about a foot long) and one biggie - almost three feet long!
Monday afternoon, second graders from an area school were doing an aquatics class. We were taking samples from an ephemeral pond (one that dries up by the end of spring) and found fairy shrimp. They are tiny - less than one inch long. I didn't take this picture (didn't have a camera with me) but we were fascinated by the ways the fairy shrimp moved. The feathery gills fluttered like they were doing the wave - from the head to the tail and back towards the head. Very cool...
On Tuesday, I was at the Lilly Property with the Heritage E-STEM 7th graders doing prairie studies. While walking down one of the main trails, we spotted a fawn - not more than three feet off the path. This gave us a great opportunity to have the students apply what they'd recently learned about natural selection - what the advantage is to a species to have the young all be born at the same time. We talked about the way fawns defend themselves and saw this played out when the second group of students came out later in the morning . Since it really can't fight to protect itself, a fawn will remain still and try to blend in. That strategy hadn't really work since it was right next to the trail and we could all see it. But by the time the second group came out, the fawn had moved (or been moved by mom). The students (while looking for live traps we had set) found the fawn - hunkered down in more of a brushy area nearer to the woods. We haven't seen it since Tuesday, but assume it is alive and well.
Crossing and recrossing the prairie, I've spotted garter snakes - two smaller ones (about a foot long) and one biggie - almost three feet long!
There have been lots of ticks - mostly wood ticks (dog ticks), but some deer ticks, too. (Feeling itchy now?) Waiting for the bus to arrive today with yet another group of 7th graders, I saw this insect on the curbing. What a fabulous color -
And finally - the main section of the Lilly Prairie was burned today. The very last group of 7th graders to come out today got to see the beginning of the burn. The person in charge of the burn, Craig, stopped by and talked with the class about the impact fire has on prairie plants. What a great way to end an amazing week.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Busy as ...Birds!
On both of the past two days, I've spotted over 15 different kinds of birds in my backyard. It's like an oasis for the migrating warblers and other songbirds passing through the area as they head to their summer homes.
The regulars turn up every day - downy and hairy woodpeckers, the red-bellied woodpecker, blue jays and cardinals, mourning doves, house sparrows, house finches, and goldfinches. Some others have become regulars - like the pine siskins (how much longer will they stay before they, too, head north?), the male and female cowbirds and red-winged blackbirds.
But the new visitors are ones I look for each spring, knowing they will be here for a short time only. Regular as clockwork, once juncoes are gone the chipping sparrows return. These tiny LBBs are easy to spot because of the tops of their heads are rusty colored.
Another visitor had me really confused for a while. At first, I thought was still seeing juncoes (which I hadn't seen since Sunday, May 5). Hopping around on the ground were small birds with grayish heads - but using binoculars I noticed black stripes on the wings and yellow near the tail. The location of the yellow was the clue - I was seeing yellow-rumped warblers (formerly known as myrtle warblers).
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The regulars turn up every day - downy and hairy woodpeckers, the red-bellied woodpecker, blue jays and cardinals, mourning doves, house sparrows, house finches, and goldfinches. Some others have become regulars - like the pine siskins (how much longer will they stay before they, too, head north?), the male and female cowbirds and red-winged blackbirds.
But the new visitors are ones I look for each spring, knowing they will be here for a short time only. Regular as clockwork, once juncoes are gone the chipping sparrows return. These tiny LBBs are easy to spot because of the tops of their heads are rusty colored.
Another visitor was a large reddish-brown bird. It stayed on the far side of the fence in the backyard and kept going in and out of the brushpile. Secretive, but not rare - here was a brown thrasher. Its yellow eyes gives it an intimidating gaze, but the bird seemed more concerned with looking for insects than in establishing territory.
The last of these current visitors came as pairs. The female was easy to overlook because it resembles a sparrow. A really big sparrow with a big beak. Her partner is striking - black and white wings and a blood red patch on its chest. Yes, the rose-breasted grosbeaks are back.
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I know they won't stick around - even with the variety of foods available in my backyard. But it is exciting to spot them and know spring is happening. (Even after getting another burst of snow today - yes, snow - on the 11th of May.)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Signs of the Time
Well, I took the plunge and yes- I really did it. I packed away the snow shovels. I know, I know - this is tempting fate, especially considering that we had measurable snow just last week. But it's time to take a stand. The only way to end this perpetual winter is to pack away winter gear. So, the shovels went up into the loft, the mittens, hats, and winter coat were washed and placed back in the closet, and I've switched from jeans to shorts.
Nature seems ready for it to be spring, too. Today, crossing the boardwalk at the nature center, there were male red-winged blackbirds calling and posturing everywhere. Many of them were landing on the railings of the boardwalk, giving me an excellent view of their spring finery. The best sighting was a pair of muskrats. Just past the north platform, out in the cattails, I heard loud rustling. Suddenly, two muskrats came rushing out of a mound of cattails, one chasing the other. Territorial fighting or muskrat love? I'm not sure, but it was amazing to see them up so close. The only downside was not having a camera. But then again, maybe that's why I saw so much - it always seems lots happen when there's no way to permanently record what you see. Oh, well...
Nature seems ready for it to be spring, too. Today, crossing the boardwalk at the nature center, there were male red-winged blackbirds calling and posturing everywhere. Many of them were landing on the railings of the boardwalk, giving me an excellent view of their spring finery. The best sighting was a pair of muskrats. Just past the north platform, out in the cattails, I heard loud rustling. Suddenly, two muskrats came rushing out of a mound of cattails, one chasing the other. Territorial fighting or muskrat love? I'm not sure, but it was amazing to see them up so close. The only downside was not having a camera. But then again, maybe that's why I saw so much - it always seems lots happen when there's no way to permanently record what you see. Oh, well...
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