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?