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Amazing Bird Eggs—Observing Backyard Birds

Posted on May 24, 2017

in Birds, Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

Stan Tekiela, author of Backyard Birds: Welcomed Guests at our Gardens and Feeders, shares with us how truly amazing bird eggs are. All of the nourishment and water to support the growing chick are within the egg when it is laid. The unique design of the eggshell allows air to enter and exit yet prevents water from doing the same. An eggshell is remarkably strong but lightweight. The arching shape is the secret to its strength and prevents a sitting parent from crushing it. In one experiment, chicken eggs placed in their normal horizontal position withstood more than 90 pounds! The same eggs placed in an atypical vertical position were only able to handle 50 pounds. Female birds can produce only one egg per day or every other day during the nesting season. The first day a mother bird is ready to lay an egg, she sits on her nest and produces the egg in a quick process of a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Because...

White Sangria—The Perfect Drink for a Gathering of Friends

Posted on May 19, 2017

in Cooking

by Liliane Opsomer

Cabins and lake homes are meant for friends and family! We gather around decks, patios, and boats for lazy conversations and needed relaxation. Pontoon boats in particular are part of the lake magic, perfect for cruising around and sharing food and beverages, and they’ve long been associated with the lake-living tradition. In the past two weeks we shared some fun food recipes, but what would an outing be without a great drink? Today, Jon and Erin Davis, authors of Pontoon Food: Easy-to-Serve Recipes for the Water and Deck, share with us their favorite White Sangria recipe. White Sangria Startlingly, “sangria” is the Spanish word for bloodletting. This describes the deep red color of sangria as it is most commonly made: with red wine. This white sangria variation is a bit lighter and more refreshing. For an even lighter version, substitute sparkling water for the sparkling wine to make a delicious spritzer. Ingredients  1/2 Bosc pear, peeled...

The Woodpecker—A Fascinating Bird in Your Backyard

Posted on May 17, 2017

in Nature, Stan Tekiela

by Liliane Opsomer

Professional naturalist and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela is fascinated by woodpeckers, and for 10 years he traveled the country, studying and photographing various woodpecker species. There are many unusual birds in the world, but there is one group of highly specialized birds that I find incredibly interesting—the woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are found in a wide variety of habitats, from jungles to thick forests to parched deserts, and even in some grasslands. They are the carpenters of the bird world, creating nest cavities in trees each year—an important task because many cavity-nesting birds can’t excavate their own and depend on the handiwork of woodpeckers for their survival. In addition, woodpeckers eat countless tons of insects, greatly minimizing pest damage to forests. Woodpeckers have unique shapes, making them easily recognizable by any and all who see them. Their special features and behaviors have captured my attention as a naturalist and wildlife photographer for more than 20 years. Woodpeckers are found all around the world, except in New Guinea, Antarctica,...

Pimiento Cheese—A Favorite Pontoon Food Recipe

Posted on May 12, 2017

in Cooking

by Liliane Opsomer

Jon and Erin Davis, authors of Pontoon Food: Easy-to-Serve Recipes for the Water and Deck, share with us their Pimiento Cheese recipe. Cabins and lake homes are meant for friends and family! We gather around decks, patios, and boats for lazy conversations and needed relaxation. Pontoon boats in particular are part of the lake magic, perfect for cruising around and sharing food and beverages, and they have long been associated with the lake-living tradition. Here’s an easy recipe that’s sure to please. Pimiento Cheese A southern favorite, pimiento cheese is becoming more and more popular across the rest of the U.S. Try this recipe and find out why! It’s amazingly addictive on crackers or raw veggies. Ingredients  3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 Serrano or small jalapeño pepper, minced 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1 (4-ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained Salt and pepper to taste Directions  Combine all ingredients in a...

Camper Cabins at Bunker Hills Regional Park

Posted on May 10, 2017

in Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

Tom Watson, author of Best Minnesota Camper Cabins: Roughing It in Comfort, talks to us about the camper cabins at Bunker Hills Regional Park, which have some of the most beautiful interiors of all camper cabins in the state. Minnesota is known for its beautiful wilderness: pristine lakes, deep forests, flowing rivers. For those who might not enjoy the hassles and discomfort of tent camping—and for those who do—I herewith present a wonderful alternative: cabin camping! There’s something about a cabin in the woods. Maybe it’s images of Thoreau at Walden Pond or Sigurd Olson writing from his Listening Point cabin on Lake Burntside. Whatever the inspiration, a cabin is the quintessential retreat in the woods—safe, secure, cozy, and quiet—all in a setting of rustic, northern beauty. The cabins are situated among the campsites in the Rustic Loop camping section, a more spacious and woodsy arrangement of sites within the larger campground complex. Located just beyond the outer edge of the suburban ring around the Twin Cities, the oaks...

Pontoon Food Recipes for the Upcoming Boating Season

Posted on May 5, 2017

in Cooking

by Liliane Opsomer

Jon and Erin Davis, authors of Pontoon Food: Easy-to-Serve Recipes for the Water and Deck, share with us one of their favorite recipes. Cabins and lake homes are meant for friends and family! We gather around decks, patios, and boats for lazy conversations and needed relaxation. Pontoon boats in particular are part of the lake magic, the perfect way to cruise around while sharing food and beverages, and they’ve long been associated with the lake-living tradition. Here’s an easy recipe that’s sure to please. Caprese Salad Skewers Thought to have originated on the island of Capri, off Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Caprese salad is a refreshing and satisfying snack. The green, white, and red of the basil, mozzarella, and tomato resemble the Italian flag. Ingredients  Salt and pepper to taste 16 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved 1 pint cherry tomatoes Handful fresh basil leaves, quartered Short skewers (skewers cut in half) Directions Lightly salt and pepper halved mozzarella balls. Alternate placing cherry...

Discover the Gillette Sand Dune at Hoffmaster State Park

Posted on May 3, 2017

in Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

When it comes to the beauty and serenity of nature, Michigan is second to none. Matt Forster, author of Michigan’s Best Nature Centers and Wilderness Preserves, invites us to discover the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center at Hoffmaster State Park. You might think that dunes are only found in deserts or in far-flung places like the Sahara, but you can see them right here in Michigan at Hoffmaster State Park. This park is also home to 3 miles of sandy beach! Located about halfway between Muskegon and Grand Haven, Hoffmaster State Park is perched on the dunes overlooking Lake Michigan. The north section of the park houses a campground with modern and semi-modern sites, as well as a day-use area with easy access to the beach. Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center is found in the southern half of Hoffmaster, adjacent to the park’s designated natural area. The center has a wing dedicated to the natural and human history of the surrounding dunes. Exhibits...

The Campfire Foodie Cookbook

Posted on April 28, 2017

in Cooking, Travel

by Liliane Opsomer

The Campfire Foodie Cookbook: Simple Camping Recipes with Gourmet Appeal, by renowned cook, food stylist, and author Julia Rutland, arrives right in time for the outdoor season. Her camper-friendly cookbook comes with more than 100 delicious recipes with full-color photographs for every delicious dish. In the weeks to come, the author will share some of her favorite dishes with us. Be on the lookout for English Muffulettas, Vegetarian Campfire Chili, Southwestern Chicken and Lime Soup, and Mini Grilled Blackberry Cobbler. There’s something about a campsite that makes everything taste better. Julia isn't sure if it’s the scent of the trees or the campfires—or, perhaps, that nature itself casts a seasoning over your meals, making them richer and more satisfying. Either way, eating by a campfire brings a special kind of satisfaction. Let the evening cicadas and tree frogs serenade you with soothing sounds that you just can’t get indoors. About the author: Julia Rutland is a Northern Virginia-area food writer and recipe developer whose work...

PaleoAdventures Offers Great Dinosaur Dig Experiences

Posted on April 26, 2017

in Dinosaurs, Travel

by Liliane Opsomer

Nothing fires up the imagination quite like dinosaurs—and there are more than 1,000 good reasons for that! Dinosaurs are a hugely diverse group of animals that dominated the landscape from 230 million years ago up to the Cretaceous extinction event about 65 million years ago. Dinosaurs are known to have inhabited every continent, including Antarctica. They were present in almost all climate zones and occupied nearly every terrestrial niche available to large animals through the middle and late Mesozoic. There are more than 1,000 species of dinosaurs known today, and that total keeps climbing as new discoveries are made each year. In their book Dinosaur Destinations: Finding America’s Best Dinosaur Dig Sites, Museums & Exhibits, Jon Kramer, Julie Martinez, and Vernon Morris introduce the best dinosaur-related sites across the country. The book features the most famous dinosaur dig sites, track sites, and fossil sites in North America, including venues that allow you to dig for real dinosaur bones! Take Your...

Photographing the Wild Waterfalls in Spring

Posted on April 21, 2017

in Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

Lisa Crayford, author of Waterfalls of Minnesota, thinks that springtime and waterfalls go hand in hand. Here are her suggestions for your next waterfall outing! During this season in northern Minnesota, the snow is melting off the higher elevations. The rivers are flowing with great speed, heading down to meet mighty Lake Superior. If you’re not too familiar with the area known as the “Arrowhead” of Minnesota, it’s the northeast region that butts up against Lake Superior to our east. Starting in the port city of Duluth with a population of 86,110 and heading northeast all the way to Grand Portage is 151 miles. While driving on Hwy 61 all the way up to Canada, you’ll be passing over or around hundreds of creeks, streams, brooks, and rivers. Most of these give us cascades, rapids, and waterfalls. Some are more capture-worthy than others. If you’re heading up the north shore of Lake Superior, have time...