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?