Elk Rapids Almanac-July 2017
 
 July 3-A healthy fox has been frequenting the neighborhood regularly._Terri Reisig
 
  July 4-For fans of the Northern Lights (aurora borealis), a great website is Space Weather Prediction Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  www.swpc.noaa.gov, then to Space Weather prediction Center, then to Aurora Forecast, where you can get predictions based on your location.
Many recent sightings reported from International Dark Skies Park near Mackinaw City._Royce Ragland
 
July 7-We saw an eagle this morning sitting in the dead pine tree at the Markers' house. _Terri Reisig.
 
July 8-Two swans cruised the bay in Memorial Park.  _Terri Reisig.
 
July 19-As my son and I walked the Boardwalk under M-31 this past week, we spotted a small head with shiny "beady" eyes starring directly at us from the water and an opening under the edge of the bridge concrete.  As we halted and watched, the dark brown, sleek body moved out and across the concrete to the rocks at the East edge of the boardwalk.  Our encounter with this mink or weasel was a sheer delight! _Linda Travis.
 
July 21-While eating dinner in a back yard on Ottawa Street, we heard the call of a loon from an eastern direction.  A minute later we heard a responding loon, in alto tone, from a northern direction.  This calling back and forth went on for several minutes.  It is unusual to hear them in this location and possibly means a new nest nearby._Visitor in ER.
 
July 24-Outside my window this A.M. a Monarch butterfly dressed in ER orange and blanket flitted lightly on the pink blossom bursts of my hydrangeas.  Here’s hoping she finds a succulent milkweed to deposit her eggs of the next generation heading to Canada. _Linda Travis.
 
July 17-August 24-Perseid Meteor Shower 2017.  Watch for the most popular meteor shower of the year…spectacular!  Maps and details at www.space.com._Local stargazer.
 
August 21-Watch for “The Great American Eclipse”, August 21. NASA is asking ordinary people viewing the total solar eclipse to take part in a nation wide science experiment. Goggle NASA Solar Eclipse 2017. Read up on guidelines first!
Guidelines, maps and details at www.weather.gov._Local stargazer