NORTHLAND NATURE
Northland Nature: Opportunistic lichens thriving in the recent rain
After a month of colder-than-normal temperatures, the thaw of the last few days of December came as a surprise. A respite from the chill is often welcomed, but with these days filled with rain, many Northlanders would have preferred the cold.
By Larry Weber , January 06, 2011
Northland Nature: The new year should start with the perihelion
Many nature watchers claim that the year actually commences with the vernal equinox, the first day of spring, in March. Indeed, our calendar formerly did use March 1 as the year’s starting point.
By Larry Weber , December 30, 2010
Northland Nature: Annual Christmas bird count a useful practice
Birds wintering in the Northland are either those that breed here and remain for the winter or those that migrate from the north to spend the cold season with us.
By Larry Weber , December 23, 2010
Northland Nature: Look for messages in the new snow
Unlike their cousins, the white-footed deer mice, voles are not as likely to come into our dwellings and, except for a few glances as they cross the road or path, we never see them.
By Larry Weber , December 16, 2010
Northland Nature: Northland trees holding snow, some better than others
November exited with a repeat of the statistics for the whole month. Though the second half was much colder than normal, we experienced a respite during this waning time and, for two days, we reached far above the freezing temperatures.
By Larry Weber , December 09, 2010
Northland Nature: Unlike mosquitoes, winter crane flies don’t bite
During our outdoor activities in the next few weeks, if you think that you’ve just seen an insect on the snow or one fly by, you probably did. You may have just seen winter crane flies, not mosquitoes, and they are not going to bite.
By Larry Weber , December 03, 2010
Northland Nature: All hail the aptly named snow buntings of November
Breeding in the tundra, snow buntings are at home in open spaces. Here, despite the cold and wind often felt at such sites, these birds do quite well.
By Larry Weber , November 28, 2010
Northland Nature: Eye-opening morning walk after the big storm
Last weekend’s snow was welcomed by some of us, and it may have changed our November. This month was previously far above normal in temperature. Only three days before the snowfall, Duluth recorded nearly 60 degrees — the warmest day of the month.
By Larry Weber , November 21, 2010
Northland Nature: Don’t miss the yellow-gold of weeping willows
Most willows are found in wetlands and, though much smaller, they are also slow to drop yellow leaves in this season. And for the last month we could see just how common they are.
By Larry Weber , November 14, 2010
Northland Nature: Feeling the effects of the late-October storm
A few days after the storm passed, skies cleared and, in the light of a waning quarter moon, we woke to 20-degree weather. Because of this, a new layer of ice covered all of these ponds.
By Larry Weber , November 07, 2010
Northland Nature: Hardy New England asters still blooming
The early morning is clear and chilly. During my walk, I see the full moon, now in the west, reflected off lake water and on the newly formed ice of the swamp.
By Larry Weber , October 30, 2010
Northland Nature: Woolly aphids are easily mistaken for fungi
Late October in the Northland is a remarkable time. The leaf drop earlier in the month has changed the landscape.
By Larry Weber , October 23, 2010
Northland Nature: Edible ‘oyster’ fungi something to look out for
Mushroom growth in September is expected, but now, as we are going through October, they are waning. Mild temperatures have helped more to appear; we now have some fungi in the woods.
By Larry Weber , October 18, 2010
Northland Nature: Red-bellied snakes prepare for the Northland cold
As autumn unfolds from September into October, we continue to see how nature is preparing for the coming cold. Probably the most obvious are the trees that are now shedding their leaves, usually among a blaze of color that is hard to miss.
By Larry Weber , October 09, 2010
Northland Nature: Experience the fall drumming of the ruffed grouse
Budgeteer columnist Larry Weber will sign his latest book, “Webwood: Seasons of Life in the North Woods,” from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 9, at Northern Lights Books & Gifts in Canal Park.
By Larry Weber , September 30, 2010
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