There has been a mixture of extreme weather conditions since the "Winter Solstice" including nice snowfalls followed by significant rain events.  Temperatures have ranged from 50 degrees to minus 20. These wild swings significantly impact plant and bird life by disrupting a dormant state of local ecosystems.  Further impacts can result with plant life no longer matching food availability for migrating birds come spring. On a more personal level, rain events in January with su

On January 4, 2026 , participants of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count visited and recorded their observations in Wacouta Township. This post will feature photos of some of their observations as well as a complete listing of birds seen and a number for each species. Female Pileated Woodpecker For more than one hundred and twenty five years the National Audubon Organization has conducted it's annual Christmas Bird Count. Local birding enthusiasts/organizations select a day betw

" Northern Lights"     photo contributed by Tom and Peggy Wolner During the years of 2024 and 2025, there has been an increase in northern lights observations in our area,  This is due to the sun reaching the peak of its 11 year cycle. This peaking leads to more charged particles being ejected resulting in intense colorful displays.  This photo was taken off Greens Point on November 11th by Tom and Peggy Wolner. Sunrise over Rattlesnake Bluff Sunrises this time of year are so

On average, peak colors usually arrive around mid-October locally. However, due to a combination of the lingering effects of unusual summer conditions and a lack of a significant drop in temperatures, peak colors were at least a week later in 2025. A View from the Top of Rattlesnake Bluff Here is the fall color scene from the top of Rattlesnake Bluff 300 feet above State Highway 61. Fall Colors as seen from Wacouta Road Here is the scene of Sevastopol bluff with the impressi

As we move from summer into fall, we observe a whole host of interesting avian activities   Some birds are preparing for migration while...

We have now entered into the meteorological fall season with considerable evidence of a big transition.  This is a time of vibrant color...

With the rise in the river levels following the heavy rain events of August 14 and 17, I decided to paddle my solo canoe around Wacouta...

With prescribed burns taking place in two sections over the past two springs, the prairie has sprung to life with numerous colorful...

Goat Fence and Solar Collector I was recently informed by Jake Gaster, Frontenac State Park Manager, that on July 1st roughly 35 goats...

Adult Snapping Turtle After reaching sexual maturity (5 to 7 years), turtles leave their aquatic habitats and move onto land to find...

Bluebird Fledglings at our Bird Bath In the mid-1900's there was a steep decline in bluebird numbers caused by habitat loss, competition...

Monarch Butterfly On May 24th, our daughter Karla and I observed four monarchs out in the Wacouta Prairie as we walked on the trail. ...

Starting Prescribed Fire As I have mentioned in previous posts, the best way to maintain prairie habitat in our area is with the use of...

As we traveled further through the month of April, we were treated to periodic rain events which helped to alleviate the drought...

This post will feature interesting bald eagle behavior, little known activity on top of Rattlesnake Bluff and new sightings of the...

Despite the fickle yet somewhat normal March and early April weather, spring has been set in motion by the return of numerous migrants to...

Since my last post, there have been many signs of spring despite the variety of weather conditions.  I will try to feature a few of these...

This has been a winter of extremes.  Record high temperatures soon followed by negative lows.  On top of that, only two very scant...

Barred Owl Local barred and great horned owls usually begin mating and nesting in the middle of winter.  They lay and incubate their eggs...

For those of us who enjoy and even thrive on the winter season, it has become obvious with the reality of climate change, adaptations are...