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Cauliflower Mushrooms—A Prized Delicacy

Posted on March 29, 2017

in Nature, Regional: Northeast

by Ryan Jacobson

Today, Teresa Marrone and Walt Sturgeon share with us information about another prized delicacy, Cauliflower Mushrooms. Many books show pictures of Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis spathulata, Sparassis americana) in a basket, on a plate, or displayed proudly in someone’s hands. The first reason is to show the impressive size that this mushroom reaches, but the second may be that hunters who find this delicacy aren’t willing to show anyone exactly where in the woods they found it! Cauliflower Mushrooms are saprobes, getting their nutrients from the buried roots of dying and dead trees. They’re found alone or in groups in mixed woods next to deciduous and coniferous trees. This large, brain-like cluster mushroom is easy to recognize. It is made up of a mass of creamy white- to tan-colored folds growing from a branching base. Some describe it as looking like a pile of egg noodles. Large examples may be up to 12 inches across, but most specimens are much smaller. This mushroom doesn’t...

Eastern Bluebird—The Helpful Garden Bird

Posted on March 24, 2017

in Birds, Stan Tekiela

by Ryan Jacobson

In this week’s column, Stan Tekiela talks about one of his favorites birds, the Eastern Bluebird. The warming winds of spring bring us many fun and interesting birds and critters. One of my favorites is the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis). A member of the thrush family, the bluebird is closely related to the American Robin. In fact, you can see the similarities between these birds in the posture, body proportions, movements, and also in the matching rusty red chest. Both birds are prolific insect eaters, finding most of their food directly on the ground. Because of this diet, these birds need to migrate to areas where they can find insect food during winter. Even though both birds are well known for migration, neither of them make long distance migrations like some birds such as the warblers or hummingbirds. Eastern Bluebirds are late to leave in the fall, often staying around until Thanksgiving, and they...

Partridge Falls

Posted on March 22, 2017

in Regional: Midwest

by Ryan Jacobson

Join Lisa Crayford, author of Waterfalls of Minnesota, on a journey to Partridge Falls, located on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. Partridge Falls is one of my favorite falls on the North Shore. It’s also one that takes some time and effort to reach; while I highly recommend a visit, you need to be very careful. The falls are located on Partridge Falls Road, a minimum-maintenance road full of rocks and potholes. I highly suggest that you take a vehicle with four-wheel drive, as well as an extra tire, bottled water, and some snacks and sandwiches. (If you can do this trip toward the end of September, you’ll be fine driving slowly because the view of fall colors will be amazing.) The falls are located at the end of Partridge Falls Road. As you make it back to the end of the road and to the Pigeon River, park your vehicle and get ready for a short hike down a wide path....

Great Blue Heron Nesting

Posted on March 17, 2017

in Birds, Stan Tekiela

by Ryan Jacobson

In this week’s column, Stan Tekiela discusses the nesting habits of the Great Blue Heron. There’s a large and very common bird that people see on a regular basis, but rarely does anyone see it nesting. The bird is the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), the largest and tallest of the North American herons. The name is often shorted to just “GBH.” It is found in every state in the nation in good numbers. Some regions see this long-legged bird all year long, while others see them in warmer weather only. This bird is a great example of how common names often don’t make any sense. Let’s break down the name. Great refers to being the largest of its kind. I can agree with that part of the name. What I have problems with is the “blue” part of the name. I have photographed this bird in all stages of its life and in more parts...

Cranes, Herons & Egrets

Posted on March 15, 2017

in Birds, Stan Tekiela

by Ryan Jacobson

The Elegance of Our Tallest Birds Stan Tekiela, author of Cranes, Herons & Egrets, shares with us his love for these majestic birds. Cranes, herons, and egrets are long-legged, elegant birds that are amazing to watch. Seeing them near our homes or while out for a walk or bike ride greatly enhances our outdoor experience. Because they tend to be tall, large, colorful, and fairly obvious, we take much joy in being able to observe and identify them easily. Cranes are the royalty of the bird world. No other birds represent such beauty, stateliness, and grace. Since the dawn of time and across every nation on this planet, cranes have drawn the admiration of people. From their soul-touching call to their magnificent flight, Sandhill and Whooping Cranes adorn North America with their presence. The Splendor of Cranes If the Sandhill Crane is the main event, then the Whooping Crane has to be the highlight! The tallest bird in North America, this majestic creature was nearly driven...

March Chores and Maple Syrup

Posted on March 10, 2017

in Nature, Stan Tekiela

by Ryan Jacobson

In this week’s column, Stan Tekiela talks to us about maple syrup, a uniquely American product. I love this time of year. March is a transition month and often heralds the beginning of spring, even here in the frozen north. Many of our backyard birds are singing their spring mating and territorial songs. Some early migrating birds, such as Bluebirds and Horned Larks, are already arriving. The male Goldfinches have molted their old, drab, gray feathers for a new coat of bright yellow feathers. It is also the time to get out and clean out your Wood Duck boxes or to put up new ones. The Wood Duck, along with the Common Goldeneye and the Hooded Merganser, is a small duck species that nests inside cavities. Providing these ducks with a safe, warm, and dry place to nest is essential. So, before the ice is off your pond, it’s always good to inspect your...

The Chicken Mushroom Announces Its Presence Loudly

Posted on March 8, 2017

in Nature, Regional: Northeast

by Ryan Jacobson

Today, Teresa Marronne and Walt Sturgeon share with us some fascinating facts about the colorful Chicken Mushroom. Unlike other edible mushrooms that seem to use natural camouflage to hide from the eager forager, the Chicken Mushroom (Laetiporus) announces its presence loudly. Its bright colors, large size, and frequently elevated location make it easy to spot from a fair distance. The mushrooms are found in association with live, dead, or dying trees. The appearance of Chicken Mushrooms on a living tree is a signal that the tree has been attacked by the mushroom’s parasitic mycelium (thread-like fungal roots), which can sometimes be seen as whitish fibers in cracks in the wood. The fungus causes heart rot of the host tree. Three different species are found in our area. All grow as a grouping of thick, stemless, fan-shaped caps; individual caps may be up to 12 inches wide but are generally smaller. Caps are some shade of orange to yellow-orange, with a fair amount of variation among different groupings...

LARK Toy Store

Posted on March 3, 2017

in Regional: Midwest, Travel

by Ryan Jacobson

In their book Grandparents Minnesota Style, Mike Link and Kate Crowley provide opportunities for adults and children to spend more time discovering Minnesota together. The book is designed for today’s grandparents who want to use the time together with their grandchildren to laugh, have fun, create memories, and grow. LARK Toy Store should come with a warning: Be prepared for an imagination overload! Your grandchild won’t be the only one who is overwhelmed. LARK Toy Store is the place for people of all ages to let go of their inhibitions, where play is king, where design and art meld, where shopping and games come together. Who would imagine such a place exists just outside the quiet river town of Kellogg, south of Wabasha? This grandchild’s paradise has it all: an outdoor miniature golf course, an indoor carousel, a bookstore, a candy store, a woodcraft workshop and—oh, yes—a toy store! Original owners Sarah and Donn Kreofsky...

Animal Hospital Books Are Perfect for Kids

Posted on March 1, 2017

in Children’s Books

by Ryan Jacobson

Stories centered around an animal hospital (or wildlife rehabilitation center) have it all: There are animals, helpful doctors, injury, and recovery. These topics are highly interesting to most young readers, making a wildlife rescue story quite compelling. As an added benefit, such picture books foster a love for and an appreciation of nature. I had the pleasure of editing two books by Christie Gove-Berg. My introduction to these wonderful centers came via Esther the Eaglet in 2015. A year later, another animal hospital was featured in Christie’s Maggie the One-Eyed Peregrine Falcon. These books are absolutely perfect for children, and here’s why. Kids Love Animals It’s practically a universal truth: Children adore critters of all shapes and sizes. Dogs and cats are the standard, but wild animals hold a special allure. They are unique and exotic, often talked about but rarely seen. A nonfiction book about them is a treasure, especially one that tells a captivating tale—and has photographs...

American Beaver Braves Cold and Snow

Posted on February 24, 2017

in Nature, Stan Tekiela

by Ryan Jacobson

In today’s post, Stan Tekiela shares with us his encounter with an American beaver. On my recent Wyoming mountain adventure to study and photograph Bighorn Sheep, one afternoon I was thrilled to find an American Beaver (Castor canadensis) along a frozen mountain stream. The temperature was below freezing, there was no wind, and a light snow was falling. It was perfect winter weather, but that normally means that beavers are deep in their dens waiting for spring. However, this brave beaver was out and about, despite the cold and snow. Beavers that live in cold climates, where the water freezes solid, don’t hibernate. They remain awake all winter, but they are forced to restrict their activities to the space inside their lodge or under the ice. This is why it is so important for beavers to store enough food to last them the entire winter. Beavers live in family units called colonies, which often consist...