Nature & Wildlife Thread

[GBBUDD]

Anyone know what type this little guy is ?

Some juvenal Macandras having some fun in Glacier National park

 

[Tara]

Anyone know what type this little guy is ?

Perhaps a blue grey gnatcatcher . Lovely photos.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

In July, I went canoeing on the Root River and took a few shots. I also went kayaking on the river later in the summer, with no camera. Rented a kayak at the nature center for a couple hours. I had never been kayaking before, so I was interested in trying it out. It was great. I'd definitely like to replace the canoe with a kayak someday.

Here's a recreation path that boarders the new Foxconn land. This was right before construction got too insane to go anywhere near that area. Probably wont see this path again for a long time. Curious about how it'll look the next time I'm there. It seems there may be new ponds added as part of the construction.

The Pike River Pathway

Lake Michigan and shoreline habitat photos

Tipi at Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary

Some shots from the beach.

Heron in the Pike River.

 

[j.w]

Nice photo's and wondering what kind of Palm trees those are? Are they on Lake Michigan? I thought it got too cold there for those . I see our lovely Great Blue friend standing there patiently waiting for his meal.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Nice photo's and wondering what kind of Palm trees those are? Are they on Lake Michigan? I thought it got too cold there for those . I see our lovely Great Blue friend standing there patiently waiting for his meal.

Yes, they're at the beach on Lake Michigan. There's a company in the area that rents and sells them. They're all potted. Since the trees won't survive winter, the company also provides winter storage. They put about ten of them near a concession stand for about four months each year.

 

[j.w]

Ah I see the pots there now buried in the ground. Thought they had some new kind of hardy palm back there. I have one called Chinese Windmill Palm and it is hardy here but we don't get as cold as back there. It did make it through a few days of -6 temps many years ago when it was very small but I covered it w/a sheet to try and protect it somewhat. I like the look of that recreational trail by the water up there. Would be nice to meander through on a bicycle if they allow them.

 

[GBBUDD]

The Pike River Pathway
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Lake Michigan and shoreline habitat photos
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Tipi at Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary
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Some shots from the beach.
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Heron in the Pike River.
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You do put some miles on jb

 

[JBtheExplorer]

You do put some miles on jb

Not nearly as much as I'd like to. I certainly have no excuse since I live next to a wooded park with a trail. Only been back there once since spring. They're supposed to be seeding a prairie in an old farm field about now so I'll have to get back there soon and see if they've done it.

 

[GBBUDD]

REAL LIFE STUART LITTLE GOING FOR A RIDE

 

[Tara]

I have not seen the woods look this good in a few years. In some areas where normally you would only see a trickle of water have become small streams, and new growth is evident all over the forest floor,

especially in areas where a lot of trees have died or come down in past storms.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

First wintry hike of the season.

This old farm field was supposed to be seeded with native prairie by now, but sadly, it hasn't been touched. Not sure why, but it looks like it'll be another year before it gets seeded.

 

[j.w]

Enjoy the Winter Wonderland pictures @JBtheExplorer
Who is supposed to seed the field?

 

[Tara]

The first snowfall that sticks is always the best one every year, I know I want my boot prints to be first ones out on trails, it makes the hike special, as fresh snow eliminates all the evidence of other people, makes the hike seem more natural somehow.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Enjoy the Winter Wonderland pictures @JBtheExplorer
Who is supposed to seed the field?

A local non-profit organization that does a lot of restoration work in the area is overseeing the project, and Tallgrass Restoration Services is doing the site prep and seeding. Site preparations were supposed to begin in late summer and seeding in fall. All money was secured and everything was ready to go. Last I heard, they were doing a pollinator survey in the field in late August. Since then, there have been no online updates. I've been hoping that once I finally hiked over there it'd be seeded and set for winter, but when I got to the field yesterday, it was the same old weedy field. Given that it's so late into fall and we've reached the snowy season, I'm not sure they can get that work done anymore this year, which will push the entire project to next autumn. I was looking forward to seeing a first-year prairie begin to grow next spring.

Another project being done in town that I've been waiting for, the completion of the Pike River Pathway, is also behind schedule due to weather. Once that's completed, I'll have a new stretch of recreational path to explore. It follows the river it's named after, and I believe they've created a few new ponds as well, to help reduce flooding. I'm looking forward to being able to check that out.

 

[Burd]

Squirrels with mange can be treated easily, 9 drops of ivermectin , 3 drops a week on a walnut. This squirrel had a red swollen neck w/ no fur. now you can see fur starting back.