Elk Rapids Almanac-March 2020
March 13 - Animal sightings in the west part of town include a frequently seen pair of red foxes, one with a lame leg but otherwise healthy. They will certainly impact the rabbit population. -Factoid: What is a gathering of foxes called? A Skulk of Foxes.
March 17 - My favorite bald eagle flew over the house headed south this am, headed toward the marina, then a half hour later flew over again, headed north. -Wayne Toteff.
March 21-Walking from my house on Torch Lake, looking for inspiration in these solemn times and looking for signs that Spring has arrived, some things lifted my spirits:
A lone boater on the blue ice cold lake.
A very quiet neighborhood and a vehicle-free roadway to walk the dog.
Listening to the wind rustling in the trees and watching a large Pilate Woodpecker pounding on an old tree.
Listening to the birds calling each other in the woods on a sunny day.
Watching the deer watching me as I walk by.
Watching a flock of Geese flying north coming back in formation. -Kathy Peterson.
March 21 - Sheltering in the house has offered a bevy of experiences with nature, granted through the windows or sliding glass doors to the deck.
Today six turkeys marched up our neighbor’s driveway and proceeded through her back yard. We saw our first robins at the birdfeeders. Last week a fox trotted down the side alley with a rabbit hanging from its mouth. I suspect our bear is back, based on broken bird feeders and knocked down poles. A screech owl woke the cat a week ago. Finally, the blackbirds have returned—in mass. I counted thirty at the feeders and in the trees this weekend. -Terri Reisig
March 22 - It's an extraordinary time here on planet Earth because of COVID-19. Schools are closed. Workplaces are closed. Businesses are closed. The library is closed. Restaurants are closed. But thankfully outside is still open. My family and I walked Maplehurst on this gorgeous sunny afternoon. I took some deep breaths as we stopped to look out across Torch Lake. Outside helps with the worry and stress. Outside is medicine. And I'm so grateful for our public parks and spaces. -Ty Schmidt, El Norte.
March 23 - While hiking today at Maplehurst I heard Sand Hill Cranes and a Barred Owl! The Crane migration has begun! -Gary Stauffer
A reminder for everyone: This year on April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The April edition of Smithsonian Magazine celebrates this landmark with a special edition, including a feature article on Dr. Doug Tallamy, a past and popular guest of Green Elk Rapids. Fed up with invasive species and sterile landscapes, ecologist Tallamy urges Americans to go native, go natural and remake every backyard, office park and traffic island, basically every square foot of land not paved or farmed, into a network of habitat, a Homegrown National Park, providing a food chain that supports invertebrates, and ultimately the human species.
Smithsonianmag.com/science-nature-meet-ecologist
March 13 - Animal sightings in the west part of town include a frequently seen pair of red foxes, one with a lame leg but otherwise healthy. They will certainly impact the rabbit population. -Factoid: What is a gathering of foxes called? A Skulk of Foxes.
March 17 - My favorite bald eagle flew over the house headed south this am, headed toward the marina, then a half hour later flew over again, headed north. -Wayne Toteff.
March 21-Walking from my house on Torch Lake, looking for inspiration in these solemn times and looking for signs that Spring has arrived, some things lifted my spirits:
A lone boater on the blue ice cold lake.
A very quiet neighborhood and a vehicle-free roadway to walk the dog.
Listening to the wind rustling in the trees and watching a large Pilate Woodpecker pounding on an old tree.
Listening to the birds calling each other in the woods on a sunny day.
Watching the deer watching me as I walk by.
Watching a flock of Geese flying north coming back in formation. -Kathy Peterson.
March 21 - Sheltering in the house has offered a bevy of experiences with nature, granted through the windows or sliding glass doors to the deck.
Today six turkeys marched up our neighbor’s driveway and proceeded through her back yard. We saw our first robins at the birdfeeders. Last week a fox trotted down the side alley with a rabbit hanging from its mouth. I suspect our bear is back, based on broken bird feeders and knocked down poles. A screech owl woke the cat a week ago. Finally, the blackbirds have returned—in mass. I counted thirty at the feeders and in the trees this weekend. -Terri Reisig
March 22 - It's an extraordinary time here on planet Earth because of COVID-19. Schools are closed. Workplaces are closed. Businesses are closed. The library is closed. Restaurants are closed. But thankfully outside is still open. My family and I walked Maplehurst on this gorgeous sunny afternoon. I took some deep breaths as we stopped to look out across Torch Lake. Outside helps with the worry and stress. Outside is medicine. And I'm so grateful for our public parks and spaces. -Ty Schmidt, El Norte.
March 23 - While hiking today at Maplehurst I heard Sand Hill Cranes and a Barred Owl! The Crane migration has begun! -Gary Stauffer
A reminder for everyone: This year on April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The April edition of Smithsonian Magazine celebrates this landmark with a special edition, including a feature article on Dr. Doug Tallamy, a past and popular guest of Green Elk Rapids. Fed up with invasive species and sterile landscapes, ecologist Tallamy urges Americans to go native, go natural and remake every backyard, office park and traffic island, basically every square foot of land not paved or farmed, into a network of habitat, a Homegrown National Park, providing a food chain that supports invertebrates, and ultimately the human species.
Smithsonianmag.com/science-nature-meet-ecologist
Maplehurst. Photo: Ty Schmidt
Hiking at Maplehurst. Photo: Ty Schmidt
Hiking at Maplehurst. Photo: Ty Schmidt