Week of June 22nd - 28th

We welcomed Stringwood, Camp Moon Hwa, MN Association of Soil & Water, Scheels Hunting & Archery University, John Marshall High School, Mayo High School, Camp Kingswood, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Stringwood is a camp for string instrument players such as Violin, Viola, Cello, etc. and their students arrived on June 14th. They spent two weeks at Eagle Bluff rehearsing and playing shows around Lanesboro.
Camp Moon Hwa brought their 7th-9th graders to Eagle Bluff on Tuesday and Wednesday. The groups went Canoeing and up on South Treetops.

The MN Association of Soil and Water arrived on Tuesday for a stay until Thursday. They gathered at Eagle Bluff to meet with each other.

Scheels Hunting and Archery University also arrived on Tuesday. Employees from the Scheels store stayed at Eagle Bluff until Friday learning about different bows in order to be able to sell them better.

John Marshall High School arrived on Thursday to take potential honor students on Treetops.

Mayo High School also arrived on Thursday to take potential honor students on Treetops.

Camp Kingswood brought some 4th-6th grade campers to Eagle Bluff to do some fishing.

The 7th-12th graders at Bethlehem Lutheran Church arrived on Friday and stayed until Sunday. They experienced Pioneer Life, Canoeing, and East Treetops while they were here.

Phenology:

• Butterfly Weed is blooming. See picture above.
  
• American Robins are feeding their second brood of young for the year.

Thought for the Week:
"We live for those fantastic and unreal moments of beauty which our thoughts may build upon the passing panorama of experience."
Rockwell Kent

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
When dragonflies are in their nymph stage, they live underwater and eat mainly mosquito larva. When dragonflies are in their adult stage, they live above water and eat mainly adult mosquitoes.

This Week's Question:
What birds fight over feathers in mid-air?

Week of June 15th - 21st

We welcomed the Summer Transition Group, Cars-N-Credit, Ms. Hey Days, Dunwoody Academy High School, Eddy Family Reunion, and MOSP Workshop.

The 11th and 12th graders of the Summer Transition group arrived for a Sunday - Tuesday visit. While they were here, they were able to experience Archery, Group Challenges, Pioneer Life, and West Treetops.

Cars-N-Credit employees came to Eagle Bluff on Monday and Wednesday to do some team building and to challenge themselves. On Monday they participated in Group Challenges and on Wednesday, they went up on the East Treetops high ropes course.

On Tuesday, the pageant contestants for Hayfield's Ms. Hey Days arrived for a day of Group Challenges and East Treetops.

On Wednesday, Dunwoody Academy High School arrived with their 9th-12th graders for a trip until Friday. While they were here, they were able to experience Canoeing, South Treetops, GPS Pathfinders, Pond Life, and Rock Climbing.

They Eddy Family Reunion arrived on Saturday and did South Treetops in the morning.

The MOSP Workshop was also held on Saturday. MOSP stands for Minnesota Odonata Survey Project and focuses on mapping out the different species of Dragonflies and Damselflies in Minnesota. Three new species were found for this county, including Hagen's Bluet damselfly.

Phenology:

• Hagen's Bluet was found at Eagle Bluff - the first identified in this county! Photo above by Denis A. Doucet
• Common Green Darners (a type of dragonfly) were seen mating and laying eggs in a pond.
• Common Whitetails (a type of dragonfly) were seen flying around their territory.
• Ebony Jewelwings (a type of damselfly) were found down by the river.
• Stream Bluets (a type of damselfly) were also found down by the river.
• Midland Clubtails (a type of dragonfly) were found by a pond.
• Twelve-spotted Skimmers (a type of dragonfly) were caught near one of our ponds.
• One of our Eastern Bluebird nest boxes has 4 babies that will probably fledge (leave) their nest this week.

Thought for the Week:
"Nature is our oldest and grandest home, older than language, grander than consciousness."
Scott Russell Sanders

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
Barn Swallows make up to 1000 trips collecting mud for the purpose of building their nests with it.

This Week's Question:
What do dragonflies eat?

Week of June 8th - 14th

We welcomed Longfellow Elementary, St. John's Lutheran, Central Intermediate School, Century College TRIO Program, Joy Laine Yoga, Outdoor Nature Seminar, and the Congregational Church UCC Youth.

On Monday, the 4th and 5th graders of Longfellow Elementary arrived for a stay until Wednesday. While they were here, they were able to experience Group Challenges, Fungus Among Us, Beginning Orienteering, Archery, Pioneer Life, and Treetops.

St. John's Lutheran arrived with their 7th-9th graders for a morning of East Treetops.

Central Intermediate School arrived on Wednesday with their 6th graders. They were able to participate in Minimum Impact Camping, Oneota, Rock Climbing, Animal Signs, Beginning Orienteering, and South Treetops before leaving on Friday.

The Century College Trio Program arrived with 7th and 8th graders on Wednesday. They took East Treetops, Stream Lab, Pioneer Life, Fungus Among Us, and Group Challenges before leaving on Saturday.

The Joy Laine Yoga group arrived on Friday and had a weekend of Yoga.

The Outdoor Nature Seminar was held on Saturday. The group canoed down the Root River.

The Congregational Church UCC Youth group arrived on Sunday morning. They went on the East Treetops course and then had some lunch afterwards.

Phenology:

• In one of our Bluebird Nest Boxes, there are 4 baby Eastern Bluebirds. See photo by Jim Williams.
  
• In another nest box, there are 7 Tree Swallow Eggs.
• In yet another nest box, there are 7 House Wren Eggs.

Thought for the Week:
"I remember feeling connected with everything around me when I was a very small child. The trees, ski, and sun and all of Nature were not only friendly; they were in some way part of me, or I a part of them."
Gerald May

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
Common Grackles allow ants to crawl on their bodies and secrete formic acid, possibly to rid themselves of parasites.

This Week's Question:
Barn Swallow males and females make nests out of mud. About how many trips do they make collecting the mud?

Week of June 1st - 7th

We welcomed Bamber Valley Elementary, HOPE Community Academy, Kaposia Education Center, Riverway Learning Community, and the Redalen Wedding.

On Monday, the 5th graders of Bamber Valley Elementary arrived for a visit until Wednesday. While they were here, they were able to experience Archery, Oneota, Fungus AmongUs, Beginning Orienteering Pond Life, and Treetops.

HOPE Community Academy arrived on Wednesday with their 5th graders. They were able to participate in Beginning Orienteering, Stream Lab, West Treetops, and Insects before leaving on Friday.

Kaposia Education Center also arrived on Wednesday with their 6th graders for a visit until Friday. While they were here, they experienced Birds, Group Challenges, Treetops, and Rock Climbing.

Riverway Learning Community arrived on Thursday with their Kindergarten - 3rd graders for a day visit. They took Oneota and Mushrooms & More while they were here.

On Saturday, Justin Redalen and Kristina Bolin got married at Eagle Bluff. Congratulations to the happy couple!!

Phenology:

• The first Common Grackle offspring have fledged the nest. See Photo by Jim Williams.
  
• Young Eastern Bluebirds have also fledged the nest.
• Wild Rose is blooming.

Thought for the Week:
"We live for those fantastic and unreal moments of beauty which our thoughts may build upon the passing panorama of experience."
Rockwell Kent

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
Indigo Buntings are actually black; the diffraction of light through their feathers makes them look blue. This explains why males can appear many shades from turquoise to black.

This Week's Question:
What special relationship do Common Grackles have with ants?

Week of May 25th - May 31st

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day Weekend! We returned to work on Tuesday to welcome Melrose-Mindoro Middle School, Pacelli Junior High, Harvest Prep Academy, Longellow School, Tomah Middle School, New City Charter School, and hosted Becoming an Outdoor Family.

On Tuesday, Melrose-Mindoro Middle School arrived for a morning of Treetops with their 7th graders.

Pacelli Junior High also arrived on Tuesday with their 7th and 8th graders. They were able to take Earth Exploration, Treetops, and Karst Geology before leaving on Wednesday.

The 5th - 7th graders of Harvest Prep Academy arrived on Tuesday as well for a visit until Friday. While they were here, the ladies were able to experience Karst Geology, Amphibians, Pond Life, Oneota, Insects, and East Treetops.

Longellow School arrived with their 5th graders on Wednesday. They were able to participate in Group Challenges, Animal Signs, Treetops, and Root River Hike before leaving on Friday.

Tomah Middle School also arrived on Wednesday with their 6th graders and stayed until Friday. While they were here, they were able to experience Canoeing, GPS Pathfinders, Pioneer Life, Fungus AmongUs, Pond Life, and South Treetops.
New City Charter School arrived on Friday with their 7th and 8th graders. They were able to participate in Forest Ecology and East Treetops before leaving on Saturday.

Eagle Bluff was also a host to a Becoming and Outdoor Family weekend co-sponsored by the MN DNR. Families were able to participate in a variety of activities this weekend, including Air Gun/Laser Gun, Archery, Flora & Fauna Hike , GPS Pathfinders, Fly Fishing, Treetops, and Rifle Range.

Phenology:

• Bobolinks were seen in the area. See photo above my Jim Williams.
  
• Eastern Meadowlarks have been seen and heard in the area.
• Trumpet Honeysuckle is blooming.
• Wild Geranium was at its peak last week.
• A Luna Moth was seen.
• A Hummingbird Moth was seen.
• Cow Parsnip is in bloom.
• Elm Trees are in bloom.
• Nannyberries are blooming.
• Dames Rocket is blooming.
• American Robins are fledging out of the nest.

Thought for the Week:
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude, don't complain."

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
The "Goatsucker" name came from the fact that Common Nighthawks, Chuck-wills-widows, and Whip-poor-wills would fly around livestock at dusk to feed on insects swarming over the animals. It was once believed that they sucked milk from goats' udders and caused them to dry up.

This Week's Question:
What color is an Indigo Bunting?

Week of May 18th - 24th

We welcomed Zion Lutheran School, St. Mary's School, Lanesboro Schools, St. Casimir's School, St. Benedict School, Cyber Village Academy, Horace Mann Elementary, Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools, and Cityview Performing Arts Magnet School.

On Monday, 7th and 8th graders from Zion Lutheran School arrived in the morning for South Treetops.

The 7th graders from St. Mary's School also arrived on Monday to spend the day on East Treetops and Group Challenges.

Lanesboro Schools arrived on Monday with their 5th graders for an overnight visit. While they were here, they were able to experience Root River Hike, Oneota, and East Treetops.

The 8th graders of St. Casimir's School arrived on Monday. They participated in Group Challenges, Canoeing, Fungus AmongUs, and South Treetops before leaving on Wednesday.

St. Benedict School also arrived on Monday with their 8th graders for a visit until Wednesday. While they were here, they took Canoeing, Group Challenges, Archery, Pioneer Life, and East Treetops.

Cyber Village Academy 8th graders also joined us for a Monday-Wednesday visit. They were able to participate in Group Challenges, Competitive Orienteering, South Treetops, and GPS Pathfinders.

The 6th graders of Horace Mann arrived on Monday as well. They were able to experience GPS Pathfinders, Pond Life, Karst Geology, Rock Climbing, Archery, Canoeing, Oneota, and South Treetops before leaving on Friday.

Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools arrived on Tuesday for their stay until Friday. While they were here, they participated in Minimum Impact Camping, Group Challenges, East Treetops, Canoeing, Amphibians, Stream Lab, Rock Climbing, Pioneer Life, Oneota, and Animal Signs.

The 4th-6th graders of Cityview Performing Arts Magnet School arrived Wednesday. They were able to experience Oneota, Insects, Group Challenges, Treetops, Birds, Pioneer Life, Archery, and Root River Hike before leaving on Friday.

Phenology:

• A Tiger Swallowtail butterfly was seen around Eagle Bluff. See photo by Jim Williams.
• A Giant Swallowtail butterfly has also been seen.
• A Cicada Exoskeleton was found.
• A Monarch was spotted.
• Lightning Bugs have been seen.
• Deer Ticks are out - don't forget to look for them!
• Blue-eyed Grass is growing.
• Solomon's Seal is blooming.
• False Solomon's Seal is blooming.
• Spiderwort is blooming.
• Creamy Wild Indigo is blooming.
• Nodding Trillium is in bloom.
• Two Fawns were seen with a Doe.
• American Toads have been heard calling and seen mating.
• Green Frogs are starting to call.
• Goslings have been seen on the Root River.
• Common Nighthawks have been seen and heard.
• Whip-poor-wills can be heard at night.
• Common Yellowthroats are back and singing.
• Yellow Warblers can also be heard singing.

Thought for the Week:
"Water is life for all species, for the living Earth, it must be cherished."
Kirkpatrick Sales

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
The Baltimore Oriole received its name from the fact that the male's colors resembled those on the coat of arms of Lord Baltimore.

This Week's Question:
Common Nighthawks, Whip-poor-wills, and Chuck-wills-widow are all part of the "Goatsucker" family. Where did the "Goatsucker" name come from?

Week of May 11th - 17th

We welcomed Albert Lea High School, St. John Vianney, Kasson-Mantorville Intermediate, La Crescent Middle School, Plainview-Elgin-Millville, and Women in the Outdoors.

On Monday, the 11th and 12th graders of Albert Lea High School arrived for a day of Group Challenges and East Treetops.

The 6th graders of St. John Vianney also arrived on Monday for a visit until Wednesday. While they were here, they were able to experience Group Challenges, Animal Signs, Pioneer Life, and Pond Life.

Kasson-Mantorville Intermediate came to Eagle Bluff with their 5th graders for the first time this year. They participated in Oneota, Insects, Stream Lab, Animal Signs, Wildlife Ecology, Treetops, Archery, and Pond Life before leaving on Wednesday.

La Crescent Middle School arrived on Wednesday with their 6th graders for a three day visit. While they were here, they took Group Challenges, Karst Geology, Stream Lab, Amphibians, and Treetops.

The 5th graders of Plainview-Elgin-Millville also arrived on Wednesday and stayed until Friday. While they were here, they experienced Archery, Minimum Impact Camping, Pioneer Life, Animal Signs, and Treetops.

This weekend was also a Women in the Outdoors event where women spent the weekend at Eagle Bluff doing a number of different activities such as Beekeeping, Nature Hikes, Birding Hikes, Biking, Handgun/Shotgun Shooting, Treetops, Self Defense, Archery, Canoeing, Fly Fishing, Photography.

Phenology:

• Spiny Softshell Turtles were seen along the Root River. See Photo Above.
• Magnolia Warblers have been seen.
• A Veery was seen.
• Indigo Buntings are back in the area.
• Antlers on White-tailed Deer are starting to grow.
• Scarlet Tanagers are back in the area.
• Poison Ivy is starting to grow.

Thought for the Week:
Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.

Langston Hughes

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
One of the biggest differences between a True Morel Mushroom and a False Morel (besides the False Morel being toxic) is that the stalk of the True Morel is attached to the bottom edge of the cap, while the stalk of the False Morel is attached to the top of the cap.

This Week's Question:
Where did the Baltimore Oriole get its name?