Nature/Enviroment
Archived Posts from this Category
I Think I Saw This on an Episode of the X-Files …
Posted byMary Poggione on 03 Jun 2010 | Tagged as: Nature/Enviroment
The Pioneer Press posted this radar photo of the Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wisconsin, in which the pink part is not rain or snow but hatching mayflies! Did you know that newly hatched mayflies do not have mouths or digestive systems? I picked up this disturbing detail from Bruce Carlson’s wonderful book, Beneath the Surface: A Natural History of a Fisherman’s Lake.
Even more weird facts about mayflies from Beneath the Surface.
Minnesota Bound Live Loon Cam
Posted byAlison Aten on 03 May 2010 | Tagged as: Nature/Enviroment, Travel
Do you miss Lily the bear and her cub, Hope? Get your Minnesota wildlife fix at Ron Schara’s Minnesota Bound Loon Cam.
From Schara’s website:
”The LIVE Loon Cam is a live webcam on the nest of a common loon. Located in central Minnesota, USA, this nest has been the site of many incredible moments. Larry Backlund is our resident loon expert and shares what he can see from his vantage point on the edge of his property. This nest is 100% wild and 100% natural!”
Check out the site for links to Larry’s blog and the Loon Cam’s Facebook page!
Celebrate the Great Outdoors
Posted bypennefesm on 09 Apr 2010 | Tagged as: Nature/Enviroment, Travel
If Minnesota’s recent spring weather has you thinking ahead to summer at the lake–putting in the dock, upgrading your fishing gear, connecting with friends and family on Memorial Day or the Fourth of July–this weekend’s Lake Home and Cabin Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center is just the ticket for further inspiration.
If you go, look for Chris Niskanen, author of Prairie, Lake, Forest: Minnesota’s State Parks, who will tell of “Adventures in Your Back Yard: The Inside Story of Minnesota State Parks” and sign books today at 6, Saturday at 4, and Sunday at 11. Stop by to say hello–and to think about how your spring and summer plans might include an outing or two at sites around the state.
Not So Silent Lamb
Posted byMary Poggione on 24 Mar 2010 | Tagged as: Nature/Enviroment
As promised, Kathy Sletto, author of Keeping Watch. sent in some footage of a two-day-old Shetland lamb. Enjoy!
Signs of Spring
Posted byAlison Aten on 22 Mar 2010 | Tagged as: Authors, Event, MHS press, Nature/Enviroment
Spring is in the air! Maple syrup demonstrations and bird-watching are just two springtime activities popping up at Minnesota’s State Parks.
Chris Niskanen, outdoors editor for the Pioneer Press, and renowned photographer Doug Ohman share their love of the outdoors in their new book, Prairie, Lake, Forest: Minnesota’s State Parks.
Come celebrate all that Minnesota’s state parks have to offer on Saturday, April 24, at noon at William O’Brien State Park’s visitor center, as Chris and Doug share stories about their collaboration on Prairie, Lake, Forest. Stay tuned for details.
We’ve Got Your Cute Overload Right Here
Posted byMary Poggione on 19 Mar 2010 | Tagged as: Nature/Enviroment
Kathy Sletto, fiber arts maven, farmer, mother, grants writer, and now author of the new book Keeping Watch: 30 Sheep, 24 Rabbits, 2 Llamas, 1 Alpaca, and a Shepherdess with a Day Job, sent us this photo of Oliver the cat and Ada the sheep.
“When it is cold outside, the barn cats sit or lay on Ada’s back for warmth. The other sheep won’t put up with it, but Ada is clueless. “
Kathy has promised us some footage of new spring lambs, so stay tuned. Or, better yet, buy her new book and read about her adventures with her four-legged freinds.
6th Annual Winter Tracks Festival on the Gunflint Trail!
Posted bypennefesm on 26 Feb 2010 | Tagged as: Event, Nature/Enviroment, Travel
Looking for a last-minute getaway for the weekend? The Gunflint Trail Association near Grand Marais offers a fun and unique winter experience.
• Listen to Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, storyteller
• View snow sculptures on the Gunflint Trail
• Fish in the Ridge Riders’ Trout Derby
• Snowshoe the obstacle course
• Compete in the mini-winter Olympics
• Ride the Snowmobile Poker Run
• Play broomball
• Savor a Mongolian Firepot dinner
• Enjoy winter presentations
• Dine and dance to “Trail’s End Band”
New: Saturday, Feb. 27–Opening of the exhibit of the Winter Plein Air Painting Festival at Gunflint Lodge. This is a great opportunity to mingle with the artists and view/purchase locally painted scenes. The exhibit will also be open on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 10 am-2 pm.
For schedules and more details, visit http://www.wintertracks.com/
Ice House Fish Stew
Posted byAlison Aten on 22 Feb 2010 | Tagged as: Authors, Cooking, Nature/Enviroment, Travel
Greg Breining, author of A Hard-Water World: Ice Fishing and Why We Do It, with photos by Layne Kennedy, was a guest this weekend on The Splendid Table with Lynne Rossetto Kasper. Greg talks about “walking on water,” ice fishing on Russia’s Volga River, and the delicate flavor of yellow perch.
You can use your own fresh catch to make Lynne’s Sweet/Sour Ice House Fish Stew.
10 to 20 Inches?
Posted byMary Poggione on 23 Dec 2009 | Tagged as: Authors, Book Excerpt, History, MHS press, Nature/Enviroment
Before all of us at the press go to our respective homes and hunker down for a snowy holiday, we share with you a little Minnesota weather history from our book Minnesota Weather Almanac by University of Minnesota climatologist and MPR commentator Mark Seeley.
Happy Holidays all, stay warm, be careful driving, and shovel safely!
Fishhouse Parade
Posted byAlison Aten on 18 Nov 2009 | Tagged as: Authors, Event, MHS press, Nature/Enviroment, Travel
Get your augers and rods ready! Aitkin’s annual World Famous Fishhouse Parade on Friday, November 27, celebrates the coming ice fishing season. The event features wacky and wonderful ice houses displayed on trailers and paraded through downtown Aitkin as thousands gather to watch the yearly ritual procession.
For a glimpse into the quirky world of ice fishing, check out A Hard-Water World: Ice Fishing and Why We Do It, with photographs by Layne Kennedy and text by Greg Breining.