DULUTH, MN. --- In the dense evergreen forests of America’s North Country, the fall raptor migration is gathering a full head of steam.  Pouring down from Canada, the flight includes birds of prey of all shapes and sizes from tiny kestrels to gargantuan twelve-pound golden eagles.  Although the grand passage can be viewed from a variety of locations, there
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Iowa’s September teal season is the best thing that’s happened to duck hunting in the past half century.  Timed to take advantage of early migrating blue-winged teal, the season is offered to Mississippi Flyway states by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as a sixteen-day, teal only bonus hunt.  The special season is referred to as a bonus because the
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Mix the sugar water.  Fill the backyard feeders.  The fall migration of the ruby-throated hummingbird is underway.  For those wishing to obtain an eyeball to eyeball encounter with our tiniest feathered travelers; there’s no better time than the present. Although some of the hummingbirds we’re seeing may be holdovers from birds raised right here in Iowa, the bulk of the population
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Duck hunters can expect to see strong waterfowl numbers during the 2019 fall migration and hunting seasons, says the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in a report released earlier this week.  The assessment was based on data gathered during this year’s North American Breeding Duck and Habitat Survey.  Conducted each year since 1955, the continent-wide annual waterfowl survey measures trends
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Intelligent, adaptable, unbelievably resilient; the white-tailed deer is one amazing creature.  The white-tail’s resilience – its ability to survive under extreme circumstances -- has never been more evident than it has this spring and summer.  Everywhere I go, I see does with fawns. So, what makes this noteworthy?  To put things into proper perspective, we need to look back to
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Following months of austere reclusion, resident families of sandhill cranes are beginning to appear.  Stealthily prowling marsh edge, cow pasture, and bean field; crane parents are busily teaching youngsters – more properly called crane colts -- the useful art of frog spearing.  Learning to successfully hunt frogs, snakes, and other edible creatures is a trial
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The Iowa skies are getting louder.  This year’s crop of Canada geese are testing their wings.  The gosling’s initial flights are entertaining -- often humorous -- endeavors.  Facing into the breeze, the flights begin with an awkward, wing flapping, running start.  Like an airplane taxiing down the runway, the speed gradually increases until the goslings are suddenly airborne.  Many appear surprised that
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A hard winter followed by a wet spring will make it hard for Iowa pheasant populations to show significant gains during the 2019 nesting season, according to DNR Upland Wildlife Research Biologist, Todd Bogenschutz. “We had an unusual winter last year,” said Bogenschutz.  “It started out mild and dry, and then we had a winter’s worth of snow –
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White-tailed deer are fascinating creatures.  Watching them is one of my favorite pastimes; not just during the fall and winter archery seasons, but all year ‘round.  You never see it all.  No matter how many hours you spend observing; there is always something to learn, something new to see.      Late spring is an important time for Iowa
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It’s that time of year again.  Iowa’s Baby Bird & Bunny season is officially underway.  For me, each new sighting of a recently hatched brood of Canada geese, spindly-legged fawn, or baby robin is cause for celebration – a vivid portrayal of the annual renewal of life.  The sightings also serve as a visual reminder for me to fire off this
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The wild gooseberry is one of my favorite woodland plants. Although its thorny exterior can make the gooseberry a prickly customer, the shrub does have some redeeming qualities. During spring, its thick greenery becomes a protein rich pantry for insect eating warblers while, at the same time, provides safe nesting for many other
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