Week of April 27th - May 3rd

We welcomed Franklin Elementary, St. Patrick School, St. Joseph School, Cannon Falls Elementary, Grand Meadow Elementary, Central Intermediate School, and the Hommes/Craig Wedding Reception.

On Monday, the 5th graders of Franklin Elementary arrived for 3 days of fun. While they were here, they experienced Archery, Pond Life, Root River Hike, and East Treetops.

St. Patrick School also arrived on Monday with their 6th graders. They participated in Karst Geology, GPS Pathfinders, Wildlife Ecology, and South Treetops before leaving on Wednesday.

The 5th graders of St. Joseph School also arrived on Monday. They took Trees & Keys, Earth Exploration, Archery, and East Treetops before leaving on Wednesday.

Cannon Falls Elementary arrived on Monday with their 4th graders for a stay until Wednesday. While they were here, they experienced Birds, Pioneer Life, Beginning Orienteering, Insects, West Treetops, and Oneota.

The 6th graders of Grand Meadow Elementary arrived on Wednesday. They were able to participate in Wildlife Ecology, Karst Geology, Fungus AmongUs, and Rock Climbing before leaving on Friday.

Central Intermediate also arrived on Wednesday with their 5th graders for a trip until Friday. While they were here, they took Oneota, Pioneer Life, Minimum Impact Camping, Group Challenges, Earth Exploration, GPS Pathfinders, Treetops, and Wildlife Ecology.

The Hommes/Craig Wedding Reception was held at Eagle Bluff on Saturday Night.
Phenology:
There's quite a lot of Phenology this time of year, so I've split it up into groups.

Birds:

• Eastern Towhees are singing. See above photo by Jim Williams.
  
• There are Eggs in one of our Bluebird Boxes.
• Ovenbirds (a type of warbler) are singing.
• Ruby-crowned Kinglets are in the area.
• Male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are back.
• Blue-winged Teals can be found in the Root River.
• Yellow Warblers have returned.
• Yellow-rumped Warblers have also returned.
• Common Yellowthroats are back.
• An American Woodcock was seen crossing the street with her offspring following.

Plants:

• Blue Phlox is in bloom.
• Eastern Shooting Star is in bloom.
• Violet is in Bloom.
• Trout Lily is in bloom.
• There are buds on Nodding Trillium.
• Virginia Bluebells are in bloom.
• Fiddleheads are beginning to come up.
• Jack in the Pulpit leaves are up.
• May Apple is up and looking like umbrellas.
• False Rue Anemone are in bloom.
• Hoary Puccoon is in bloom.
• Bellwort is in bloom.
• Plums are in bloom.
• Elm Trees are in seed.
• Quaking Aspens are leafing.

Reptile and Amphibians:

• Gray Treefrogs are calling.
• Painted Turtles have been seen.

Insects:

• Deer Flies are out and about.
• Green Darner Dragonflies are flying around.
• A Pearl Cresent was seen.
• A Spring Azure was seen.
• Ticks are also finding their way onto people.

Thought for the Week:
"Put yourself in a situation where you might fail and you will have more reasons to celebrate your success."
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NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
Chimney Swifts will bathe in flight by flying low over a body of water, touching the water with their chest and then shaking the water from their feathers.

This Week's Question:
Where does the term "Grosbeak" come from?