Week of February 20th – 26th

We welcomed Fillmore County Cattleman’s Association, Math & Science Academy, Kenwood School, Pepin School, Springfield Elementary, Mayo High School, and Christ Lutheran Youth.

 

The Fillmore County Cattleman’s Association arrived on Monday evening for a Banquet.

The Math & Science Academy arrived on Monday for a visit until Wednesday. While they were here, the 7th graders were able to experience Winter Survival, Earth Exploration, Group Challenges, and East Treetops.

Kenwood School brought their 5th graders on Tuesday. They were able to participate in Birds, Pioneer Life, Winter Pond Lab, Rock Climbing, Big Freeze, and East Treetops before leaving on Friday.

Pepin School brought their 5th and 6th graders for a Wednesday through Friday visit. While they were here, they were able to take Group Challenges, Pioneer Life, West Treetops, and Animal Signs.

The 6th graders of Springfield Elementary also came for a Wednesday through Friday visit. They were able to experience Winter Survival, Wildlife Ecology, South Treetops, and Group Challenges while they were here.

Mayo High School brought their seniors on Friday for a day of Group Challenges and South Treetops.

Christ Lutheran Youth arrived on Sunday for an afternoon of Rock Climbing.

 

Phenology

• There are more American Kestrelsbeing spotted in the area.
  

  American Kestrel by Jim Williams

• A dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk was seen along the Eagle Bluff drive.
• A Red-tailed Hawk was seen perched near a Red-tailed Hawk nest.
• Eastern Bluebirds have been seen.
• Coyotes have been heard calling.
• A large Insect was seen crawling out of the snow.
• Mayflies were emerging from the Root River.
• Crocus’ are sprouting.

 

Thought for the Week

“The thing I remember best about successful people I’ve met all through the years is their obvious delight in what they’re doing and it seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They just love what they’re doing and they love it in front of others.”
Mr. Rogers

 

Nature Trivia Question

Answer to Last Week’s Question:
When we tap Maple Trees, we collect the sap from the xylem part of the tree.

This Week’s Questions:
Besides sticks, what “unusual” item might you find  in the nest of  a Rough-legged Hawk?

Week of February 13th – 19th

We welcomed Eagle Ridge Junior High, Holy Cross School, Goodhue Elementary, Cotter Junior High, and the GS Youth Group.

On Monday, the 7th graders of Eagle Ridge Junior High arrived for a visit until Wednesday. While they were here, they were able to experience Archery, Winter Pond Lab, Winter Survival, Group Challenges, and Treetops.

Holy Cross School brought their 6th graders on Wednesday. They were able to participate in Group Challenges, GPS Pathfinders, Trees & Keys, South Treetops, and Animal Signs before leaving on Friday.

Goodhue Elementary brought their 4th graders for a Wednesday through Friday visit. While they were here, they were able to take Winter Survival, Pioneer Life, West Treetops, and Archery.

The 7th and 8th graders of Cotter Jr. High also came for a Wednesday through Friday visit. While they were here, they experienced Oneota, Winter Survival, Big Freeze, Group Challenges, and Treetops.

The GS Youth Group spent the weekend mostly doing their own activities, but  did go out to East and South Treetops on Sunday afternoon.

 

Phenology

• Maple Syrupingseason has begun! The Eagle Bluff staff tapped trees on Friday and the sap was flowing!
  

  Sap Flowing

• A Tundra Swan was seen flying over Eagle Bluff.
• Because of the warmer weather, Caterpillars have been seen on the ground.

 

Thought for the Week

“Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while.”
Kim Hubbard

 

Nature Trivia Question

Answer to Last Week’s Question:
The warmest Minnesota winter on record was in 2006.

This Week’s Question:
What part of the tree do we collect sap from?

Week of February 6th – 13th

We welcomed Ellis Middle School and held our winter Becoming an Outdoor Family.

The 7th graders of Ellis Middle School arrived in two halves; the first coming for a Monday through Wednesday trip and the second half staying for a Wednesday through Friday visit. While they were here, they were able to experience Archery, Oneota, Pioneer Life, Winter Survival, Big Freeze, Treetops, and Rock Climbing.

Eagle Bluff and the MN DNR held the winter Becoming an Outdoor Family over the weekend. While there wasn’t as much snow as we would like, the 8 families that came all had a great time with Air Guns, Hiking, GPS, StarLab, Treetops, Rock Climbing, and Ice Fishing.

 

Phenology

• A White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco hybridwas spotted with a group of Dark-eyed Juncos. Although they are not
  

  Bald Eagles by Jim Williams

  closely related, they have been known to occasionally mate with each other and produce hybrids that appear to be dully colored White-throated Sparrows with the distinct tails of Dark-eyed Juncos.

• Bald Eagles have been seen displaying mating behavior.
• More Birds are Singing.
• Flying Insects were seen.
• At this time last year, 85% of Minnesota was covered with snow; this year, only 23% of Minnesota is covered with snow.
• This is the Second Warmest Winter on record.

 

 

Thought for the Week

“Win as if you were used to it; lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Nature Trivia Question

Answer to Last Week’s Question:
The first passengers in a Hot Air Balloon were a sheep, a rooster, and a duck in France in 1783

This Week’s Question:
When was the warmest Minnesota on record?

Week of January 30th – February 5th

We welcomed Audubon Center of the North Woods Staff, Cedar Park Elementary, Olson Middle School, Valley Crossing Community School, Root River Quilters, Eagle Bluff Adult Getaway and held another Dinner on the Bluff.

The Naturalist staff of the Audubon Center of the North Woods ELC arrived on Monday for an overnight visit to observe some of our classes and programs. We enjoyed having them here and can’t wait until next month when Eagle Bluff’s Naturalists do the same at Audubon!

The 5th graders of Cedar Park Elementary arrived on Monday for a visit until Wednesday. While they were here, they were able to experience Winter Survival, Pioneer Life, Animal Signs, and West Treetops.

Olson Middle School arrived on Wednesday. The 6th graders were able to participate in Wildlife Ecology, Beginning Orienteering, Big Freeze, and South Treetops before leaving on Friday.

Also here for a Wednesday through Friday trip was Valley Crossing Community School. While they were here, the 5th graders were able to take Winter Survival, Pioneer Life, Big Freeze, Animal Signs, and Treetops.

The Root River Quilters quilted the weekend away.

The Eagle Bluff Adult Getaway was this past weekend. Adults game and participated in a number of activities including GPS Pathfinders, Nature Hikes, Rock Climbing, Star Gazing, Yoga, East Treetops, etc.

Eagle Bluff also held another Dinner on the Bluff with the topic of “Our Fresh Water Resources” by Gene Merriam, former Senator and DNR Commissioner. The night’s meal included strawberry-orange salad, roasted red pepper and tomato soup, trout, wild rice stuffing, roasted asparagus, and cheesecake with assorted fruit topping.

 

Phenology

• Because of the warmer weather there is less snow and a Hot Air Balloonwas seen over Rochester, MN.
  

  Northern Cardinals by Jim Williams

• A Northern Cardinal was heard singing.
• Eastern Bluebirds have been seen.
• Wild Turkeys were heard calling.
• A Great Horned Owl was heard.
• Coyotes were heard calling.
• Raccoons were also heard.
• Flying Insects were seen.
• Caterpillars were spotted on top of the snow.

 

 

Thought for the Week

“Waste not the smallest thing created, for grains of sand makes mountains and atomies infinity.”
E. Knight

 

Nature Trivia Question

Answer to Last Week’s Question:
The Northern Lights (Aurora borealis) are caused by the collisions between gaseous particles in Earth’s atmosphere and charged particles released from the sun’s atmosphere. Variations in color are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding.

This Week’s Question:
Who were the first passengers in a Hot Air Balloon ride?