This morning I remembered some video footage I took last month. It was from Earth Day, and also the 50th annual meeting of the Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society in Rothsay. Since it would be a shame to go that far and not make the most of it (and because the timing was perfect), I finagled a spot in a viewing blind that morning.
Continue reading “Prairie Chickens: The Clowns of Minnesota’s Western Grasslands”get outside
Whatchafishinfer?
If you don’t know how to answer that question, I pity you. If you didn’t so much as recognize that as a word, you could be beyond all help.
Believe it or not, this is a serious matter. I am afraid we have collectively forgotten how to go fishin’.
Continue reading “Whatchafishinfer?”Tullibees on Big Sandy Lake
To me, there might not be a more compelling fish to pursue through the ice than the tullibee (Coregonus artedi). That’s why I recently took two days to go to Big Sandy Lake, in Aitkin County. Word on the street was that things are good there lately. So, I expected a quick vacation of ice fishing for tullibees. What I got was more like work, with a little schooling thrown in.
Continue reading “Tullibees on Big Sandy Lake”NAGC News: Turkeys, Trips, and Good Times
How would you rate your 2022? So-so, satisfactory, spectacular, staggeringly stupendous? One would hope for better than 2021 or 2020, but to be fair, that bar was pretty low.
I’m happy to report my 2022 has been sensational (and then some), and I have lots to share.
Continue reading “NAGC News: Turkeys, Trips, and Good Times”Foraging in Minnesota: Blueberries
Most Minnesota foragers—whether berry seekers or not—are familiar with blueberries. Our native blueberries are both abundant and widespread, popping up in varied habitats. While not every year is a good year, pickers of all ages can usually enjoy decent harvests of these flavorful, nutrient-packed treasures more often than not.
Continue reading “Foraging in Minnesota: Blueberries”Three Magical Days: Part I- Trout Fishing
Sometimes it’s best to stare down the unknowns and bad weather and roll the dice. I did recently and was reminded that a little fish slime on your fingers can cure whatever ails you.
Continue reading “Three Magical Days: Part I- Trout Fishing”Whoosh
Round the corner on the snowy path through the woods. Scrappy little dogs of varied sizes and colors spring to life, fully aware of what is about to take place.
Continue reading “Whoosh”Do Something New: Walk Into a Glacier
It’s been a little more than 25 years since I took a college course on ice age geology. It would be easy to say I haven’t forgotten a thing. Proving it, of course, might be a different matter.
Continue reading “Do Something New: Walk Into a Glacier”The Best Ordinary Day
Today is Friday, supposedly. It’s normally my favorite day of the week, but this one feels too….ordinary. I’m having trouble embracing it.
Continue reading “The Best Ordinary Day”Hope Springs…Somewhere
Happy New Year.
Yes, period. Sorry, but exclamation points don’t seem in order. This turning of the year is a bit too much like déjà vu to celebrate. I think you know what I’m talking about.
Continue reading “Hope Springs…Somewhere”Making the most of the foraging harvest
Well, the foraging season is behind us now and it’s safe to say this one was far from overwhelming. Each is different, of course, and not every fruit, nut, or fungus is going to give generous harvests in any one year, but this one seemed more universally disappointing. Most folks would be quick to blame the drought that defined the summer, myself included.
Continue reading “Making the most of the foraging harvest”Moments to Remember
It was Sunday, the second day of deer camp. My daughter and I sat quietly in the stand for the second morning in a row, eyes and ears straining for signs of life.
Continue reading “Moments to Remember”Foraging in Minnesota: Wild Plums
When it comes to foraging, nothing says “end of summer” like wild plums. During those late August/early September days of cool mornings and moderately warm afternoons, I know without looking that American and Canada plums are coming ripe.
Continue reading “Foraging in Minnesota: Wild Plums”NAGC News: Newspapers, Awards, and More
Another year, another 365 chances to get outside and do important things. 2021 so far has developed its own flavor, heavy on “couldn’t wait to do this again.” It’s been mostly good, sometimes hectic, and almost always rewarding. Where to start…where to start…
Continue reading “NAGC News: Newspapers, Awards, and More”Foraging in Minnesota: Chicken of the Woods
Just the other day I was driving down a forest road in central Minnesota. As I glanced into the woods on my left, a flash of orange caught my attention.
Chicken!
I slammed on the brakes and backed up so I could take it home with me.
Continue reading “Foraging in Minnesota: Chicken of the Woods”