Maybe, as an alert observer of natural phenomena, you’ve noticed what’s up with bur oak trees this year. Or maybe you’ve been an unfortunate victim, twisting an ankle or suffering a knock on the head as the big trees drop their jumbo-sized, shaggy fruits. Either way, it’s hard to deny: 2008 is a big year
Acorn, Bur Oak, TreeI’d wager that there’s not a soul in the TriCities who wasn’t in some way affected by last weekend’s rain. Hundreds of people got water in places they really didn’t want it. Many possessions were lost. And thousands of us were at the very least inconvenienced by flooded streets and impassable roadways. As the rain
Rain, Sprinkle, Weather
Even though the corn and soybeans are still green in the field, some local harvests have already begun. Need proof? Just check out the chipmunks. For some time now these industrious rodents have been taking advantage of the season’s bounty of ripe fruits and seeds. But then again, they take advantage of the bounty of
Chipmunk, Chippies, Critter
Driving along Peck Road the other day, a merry band of naturalists spotted a TV dinner on the pavement. Even better, the TV was right next to it! Now, before visions of Swanson’s Salisbury Steak and a Sony flatscreen start dancing in your head, hold on. The dinner we discovered was a dead raccoon, and
Bird, Scavenger, Turkey Vulture
Whether you spend a lot of time outdoors, or if you simply remember the old Chiffon margarine commercials from the 1970s, you know that “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” But maybe, just maybe, it’s sometimes okay to give her a helping hand. Last week’s windy weather brought just such an opportunity. It was
Bird, Nest, Robin
I’ll bet a good number of folks spent at least part of the holiday weekend watching Wimbledon, the venerable tennis tournament that takes place “across the pond.” I know I did, particularly the marathon match on Sunday. But I also spent a considerable amount of time at the pond at Delnor Woods Park in St.
Amphibian, Frog, Green
We had a blessed event occur in the Nature Room at Pottawatomie Community Center the other day. Make that many blessed events, pretty much all at once. And we didn’t even know we were expecting! A few months ago, some kind folks brought us an egg case they’d found. Firmly attached to a dried wildlflower
Bug, Insect, Mantid, MantisFor those of us who walk in the woods on a regular basis, a little sadness haunts the air. As spring wanes, so do the perky blooms on many of our native woodland wildflowers. The seasonal show of sweet but subtle blooms is about over. But another is just beginning. To take in of this
Lipid, Plant, Seeds
Monday was a great day to stroll through the native plant demonstration garden behind Pottawatomie Community Center, take in the spectacular sights and heavenly aromas of springtime blooms…and get completely distracted by carp. Splish! A dorsal fin breaks the surface. Splash! A big reddish tail flops out of the water. Splish-splash-splish-splash-splish! Heads bump sides, bellies
Carp, Fish, Fox River