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
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