Week of July 6th - 12th

We welcomed MN STEP, Team Yes, Manitowoc School District, Spring Valley/Wykoff FFA, Cochrane/Fountain City FFA, ABLE/HCO, and the Austin Bank Program.

On Monday, Minnesota science teachers arrived at Eagle Bluff for a week of seminars as a part of MN STEP. Activities that they participated in were Bird Banding, Bird Hike, Trees & Keys, and East Treetops.

Team Yes also arrived on Monday for a two-day trip with their 7th - 9th graders. While they were here, they experienced East Treetops.

The Manitowoc School District came with their 7th - 10th graders along with School Forest Director (and former Eagle Bluff Naturalist Patty Maher) on Monday. They participated in Archery, Rock Climbing, Canoeing, East Treetops, and Ridge Oneota before leaving on Wednesday.
Spring Valley/Wykoff FFA came on Wednesday with their 10th-12th graders for a day of Group Challenges and East Treetops.

The 9th - 12th graders of Cochrane/Fountain City FFA came on Thursday for South Treetops.

ABLE/HCO arrived on Thursday for their visit until Friday. While they were here, they experienced Archery, Fire Safety, Safety Bingo, American Idol, Star Lab, Nature Walk, Dancing with the Stars, Nature Bingo, Butterfly Craft, Rock Climbing, West Treetops, Survivor, Bocce Frisbee, and the Raptor Program.

The Austin Bank Program came here on Friday morning for a Canoe trip down the Root River.
Phenology:

• A Juvenile Broad-winged Hawk was seen. It had probably recently fledged its nest and is still dependant on its parents for food. See Photo by Jim Williams.
  
• Barred Owls continue to call to each other.
• Gray Treefrogs are still calling at night.
• Compass Plants are starting to bloom.
• Rattlesnake Master is beginning to pop up.
• Monarch Caterpillars are munching on Milkweed plants.

Thought for the Week:
"Life is something you measure not in years but in precious moments and in how you value those moments."
Mubar

NATURE TRIVIA QUESTION

Answer to Last Week's Question:
The Blue Jay

This Week's Question:
Where does Rattlesnake Master get its name?