High Water at the Head of Lake Pepin
It seems as though the Mississippi River has been abnormally high since the spring snow melt in March. At the time this photo was taken on October 15th, the river level was approaching 12 feet. In a normal year at this time, the level would be closer to 4 or 5 feet. With climate change upon us, we no longer can expect normal conditions.
Sleeping Beaver
High water at this time of year can make life difficult for some of our local common wildlife. Fall is the time of year beaver are typically preparing for the upcoming winter season by constructing a feed pile adjacent to their main lodge.
This source of food is critical to their survival as a couple feet of ice will encase them in their dwellings for the next several months. Unfortunately with the extreme water levels, beaver have been flooded out of their lodges. This makes feed pile construction most difficult if not impossible.
On the morning of October 10th, I was hiking along the edge of the water in a lowland forest at the Head of Lake Pepin when I happened upon a displaced adult beaver asleep on a floating log.
Alert Beaver
After being observed for 15 minutes, it awoke from it's stupor and sensed it was under supervision from an alien invader. This photo reveals the large webbed hind feet and huge flat tail both of which allow this furbearer to be an exceptional swimmer.
Adult Red-Tailed Hawk
As we transition into the next season with considerably less foliage, our most common buteo hawk is much easier to observe. Red-Tailed hawks feed mostly on rodents and are frequently spotted perched on the top of utility poles along our roadways.
View From the Top of Rattlesnake Bluff
In 1996, 400 acres of priceless bluffland was added to the west end of Frontenac State Park. This is one of several stunning vistas overlooking Lake Pepin from the 1000 foot summit of this remarkable bluff.
Restored Prairie and Colorful Oaks
From the time of purchase in 1996 until the early 2000's, a local farmer rented the open ground for raising crops of corn and soybeans. Then in 2002, the park embarked on a project of converting the cultivated land and restoring it to a prairie. The result is a beautiful prairie laced with numerous hiking trails and surrounded by a diverse and colorful hardwood forest.
High Water on Wacouta Pond
As I have mentioned in recent posts, the high water on the Mississippi River has contributed to a summer and fall of very high water on Wacouta Pond. This photo from the top of Rattlesnake Bluff, 300 feet above the pond, exhibits the current situation. The grouping of trees in the center of the photo is usually high and dry.. Not this year!
View of the Site for a New Prairie in Wacouta
On October 15th, several residents of Wacouta Township attending a monthly meeting were treated to an educational and informative presentation by Haley Golz. Haley is the Private Lands Restoration Program Manager for the Minnesota Land Trust and has the responsibility of overseeing the exciting 164 acre prairie restoration project on land owned by Scott and Anne Jones.
Another View of New Prairie Site
Haley informed us at the presentation work on this project will begin yet this fall. I will try and document and share through this blog the work and progress of this remarkable gift and opportunity to enhance the natural diversity and quality of life in Wacouta and beyond. Stay tuned.