Get your boots out and your shovel! That's right winter is here, even though it is still technically fall. Long Lake received its first snow about a week ago with most of it melting away. However, our winter friend was back yesterday giving us another 2-3" of the cool stuff. This is looking like just a little tune-up for what is to come by the looks of the forecast. At this point they are saying we could receive a good 6" if not more! I guess I will just have to break the snowshoes out a little earlier this year. The lake now has a layer of ice and snow on it and our large gathering of geese that had been hanging around left us about week ago when the first snow came and the lake started to freeze. Speaking of birds we did have some Hooded Mergansers visit us for a few days last week while the lake still had open water. We see them every year usually the first in the spring to show up on the lake and the last to bid us adieu in the fall. The male of this species is particularly pretty having a black head with a large white plume or "hood" on the top which they display in a large fan like pattern. Someone also spotted a pair of otters on the lake make their annual fall fishing trips to the lake before it freezes up. As you can see, even with the change of weather the wildlife sightings are still abundant. Each day is new and you never know what you will see while out and about.
Groups visiting the last week and half, were another group from St. Michael-Albertville and our own Rippleside Elementary from Aitkin. Each group had a great experience and we look forward to having them back again next year.
I want to take this time to wish all of you a safe and joyful Thanksgiving. May your turkey be done just right!
Until next time, Todd
...News of Nature and Happenings at Long Lake Conservation Center
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
October 25- November 15
Hello from Long Lake! I thought I should put up a post to let you know how things are going here. When I looked at the last post date, I could not believe it had been that long since my last one! It seems like keeping up is turning into quite the challenge.
We were just starting to dry out from the heavy rains we received at the end of October (almost 4"), when we received our first snowfall this last weekend with about 3"-5" of wet,white stuff piling up on the ground. Most has melted at the time of this post and if we get any kind of sun it will all be gone. With the rain and snow combined, we have had one of our wettest falls in awhile. However, with the coming of the snow it reminded me winter is now almost upon us and it won't be long until the white is permanently around for awhile. Time to get out those X-country skis and snowshoes!
All of the Canada geese that were using the lake have now pretty much left on their journey south as a result of the recent storm and accompanying snow. I see today a small bunch were out on the lake, but for the most part they have departed. At one time we had up to 200 on the lake using it as a resting spot. Our resident beaver colony has gone into overdrive cutting trees down, some not in the best spots as they also continue to prepare for the long winter. I am thinking with their efforts being re-doubled in the last week or so, it won't be long before the lake is frozen over. They are some of the best meteorologists out there and are pretty good at knowing when their liquid playground is going to become a hard sheet of ice. The staff have been seeing deer on a regular basis on and around campus. A couple of large bucks were spotted with one large 10 pointer being seen just today right around the noon time hour. They are in the rut at this time, so they are very active right now. Another sign of a winter soon to be upon us has been the appearance of Evening Grosbeaks at Long Lake's feeders. They are always nice to see as the males with their beautiful yellow and black markings brighten the dull and drab landscape this time of year. Other animals and nature signs have been spotted almost every day by staff making it a great time to be outdoors, but then what day isn't a good time to be outdoors, right!?
While all of these nature events have been happening, St. Michael-Albertville Middle Schools have visited us and Guardian Angels of Chaska arrived today. We have enjoyed having them here during this time and I know students have been excited about the new and exciting things they did and saw while here. The Buffalo Crafters and Friends of W.Q.E groups also came in during this time to partake in their annual retreat here to Long Lake enjoying the time to quilt and visit with friends.
As I look out my office window at the glassy stillness of Long Lake with the white of snow on the ground, I want to take this time to wish all of you a save and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with friends and family and give thanks to the beautiful natural world around us. Until next time- Todd
We were just starting to dry out from the heavy rains we received at the end of October (almost 4"), when we received our first snowfall this last weekend with about 3"-5" of wet,white stuff piling up on the ground. Most has melted at the time of this post and if we get any kind of sun it will all be gone. With the rain and snow combined, we have had one of our wettest falls in awhile. However, with the coming of the snow it reminded me winter is now almost upon us and it won't be long until the white is permanently around for awhile. Time to get out those X-country skis and snowshoes!
All of the Canada geese that were using the lake have now pretty much left on their journey south as a result of the recent storm and accompanying snow. I see today a small bunch were out on the lake, but for the most part they have departed. At one time we had up to 200 on the lake using it as a resting spot. Our resident beaver colony has gone into overdrive cutting trees down, some not in the best spots as they also continue to prepare for the long winter. I am thinking with their efforts being re-doubled in the last week or so, it won't be long before the lake is frozen over. They are some of the best meteorologists out there and are pretty good at knowing when their liquid playground is going to become a hard sheet of ice. The staff have been seeing deer on a regular basis on and around campus. A couple of large bucks were spotted with one large 10 pointer being seen just today right around the noon time hour. They are in the rut at this time, so they are very active right now. Another sign of a winter soon to be upon us has been the appearance of Evening Grosbeaks at Long Lake's feeders. They are always nice to see as the males with their beautiful yellow and black markings brighten the dull and drab landscape this time of year. Other animals and nature signs have been spotted almost every day by staff making it a great time to be outdoors, but then what day isn't a good time to be outdoors, right!?
While all of these nature events have been happening, St. Michael-Albertville Middle Schools have visited us and Guardian Angels of Chaska arrived today. We have enjoyed having them here during this time and I know students have been excited about the new and exciting things they did and saw while here. The Buffalo Crafters and Friends of W.Q.E groups also came in during this time to partake in their annual retreat here to Long Lake enjoying the time to quilt and visit with friends.
As I look out my office window at the glassy stillness of Long Lake with the white of snow on the ground, I want to take this time to wish all of you a save and happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the time with friends and family and give thanks to the beautiful natural world around us. Until next time- Todd
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