Category Archives: Nature Notes

Acorns to Oaks

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Lawrence Wade

Originally published in September 2013 How many acorns will survive and become mature oaks?  Even if none survive, the project will not be a failure, but a success, because the land had someone caring for its future. There is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Fall, Nature Notes, Student Resources | 8 Comments

Off the Grid

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Lawrence Wade

Jim called, Want to go kayaking at Isle Royale? ‘Sure’, my 18 year old self said. Oops! I’m 74. Isle Royale or Minong (in Ojibwe) is an archipelago 40 miles off the coast of Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature Notes, Nature Poetry, Photography/Art | 17 Comments

Spring Beauty

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Lawrence Wade

So much is changing every day here in the North Country. After a winter of white and brown, Nature has burst out in a symphony of colors. Thanks to all of the contributors who shared their photos and thoughts to … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature Notes | 4 Comments

Spring Is Cancelled – Nature is not!

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Lawrence Wade

Thanks to all of the contributors to this post: Sabrina Harvey, Mary Goehle, Jules Ikhaml, and Jenny Boldt. Many of us living in the North Country are pretty sure that Spring is not going to come. But, there are those … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Nature Notes, Photography/Art, Spring | 8 Comments

Road Less Traveled

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Lawrence Wade

Photos and text by Josh Lewandowski and Hue (pronounced Way) Dao. Follow Josh and Hue’s  yearlong adventure:     @joshlewandowski    @hue2go You know the pictures, the ones with high-top econolines, moneyed sprinters, and colored vanagons perched precariously on lonely canyon rims or … Continue reading →

Posted in Connecting to Nature, Nature Notes, Photography/Art | 8 Comments

Animal Tracking Basics

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Lawrence Wade

Below is an excerpt from an expert tracker,  Jonathan Poppele. He wrote the book,  Animal Tracks: Midwest Edition: “Tracking is the study and interpretation of the footprints and other signs left behind by animals as they go about their lives. … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature Notes, Winter | 7 Comments

Animal Homes

Posted on December 7, 2021 by Lawrence Wade

Animal Homes This is a great time of year to study Animal Homes.  Below you will see a Youtube video I created in a park near my house. As you are watching the video, follow along and try to figure … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Mammals, Nature Notes | 2 Comments

Going Solo in the BWCA

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Lawrence Wade

Holly Einess has a Biology degree from St. Olaf College and is a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. Her dream is for humans to welcome nature into their everyday lives and to live in kinship with their fellow creatures on this … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature Notes, Photography/Art | 17 Comments

Good Use for a Road-kill Deer

Posted on November 23, 2020 by Lawrence Wade

Guest Posting by Dean Hansen. Dean has contributed to Old Naturalist over the years. I noticed a road-killed deer near my land just east into Wisconsin from my home in Stillwater.  I registered the deer online and dragged it onto my … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Nature Notes | 4 Comments

Sights and Sounds of Spring 2020

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Lawrence Wade

Mid FebruaryI heard my first signs of spring. What birds were calling in the cold? (cardinal and  “fee bee” call  of the chickadee) Mid March – Vole tunnels in the grass as the snow melts. Late MarchPussy Willows in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature Notes, Spring | 4 Comments