"A Variety Of Yearly Natural Events Spotlighting The Fall Season"
Whether we look at the ground, on Lake Pepin, over the Wacouta Prairie or in the sky overhead, nature provides interesting activity reflecting the progression of the seasons.
The day after our last post was sent out, Nancy Barth provided a video of her resident coyote visiting her beach. It appears this coyote is not very concerned with the houses and activity nearby.
Luna moth caterpillars naturally feed on the foliage of sumac and walnut trees in our area. Steve spotted this caterpillar on the ground below some sumac bushes in his yard on the 27th of September.
It will take from 3 to 6 weeks for these caterpillars to spin its cocoon, pupate and emerge as an adult. Given the fact most luna moth caterpillars are observed in July and early August, time is running out for it to spin a cocoon before winter sets in.
Given the fact Minnesota State Parks are legally mandated to preserve and recreate ecosystems that existed prior to Eurpoean settlement, Frontenac State Park conducts frequent prescribed burns to manage their prairies.
Jake Gaster, FSP Manager, shared details with me regarding the prescribed burns that took place on October 5 and 8. He mentioned 48 acres of the blufftop prairie on Rattlesnake Bluff was burned with by the park staff and help from the Conservation Corps on Minnesota and Iowa. According to Jake, " the purpose of the burn is twofold: first, to help with the maintenance of the tallgrass prairie and to prep conditions for next spring's burn along the bluffside below".
There has been a significant resident Canada Goose population in the backwaters at the Head Of Lake Pepin all summer and into the fall. Particularly on weekends since the 26th of September when there has been waterfowl hunting activity.
Because Wacouta Pond now lies within the boundary of Frontenac State Park, no hunting is permitted. It doesn't take long for these birds to figure this out.
I have followed the fall departure of turkey vultures for many years. In most years, they leave for warmer climates by mid-October. This photo of turkey vultures roosting in a dead tree in front of Kelly's Lake House Bar and Grill in Lake City was taken in the morning of October 13th.
By the next morning, there were no signs of these interesting birds anywhere.
On October 6, Kathy and I observed our first White-Throated Sparrows of the season around our bird feeding station. These birds nest in the coniferous and northern coniferous forests and frequently sing while resting and feeding.
Avid birders remember their song as "old sam peabody peabody peabody" or "grand old Canada Canada Canada."
This next amazing photo was contributed by our neighbor Sue Betcher. She took this photo in the morning of October 13 while paddling her kayak at the Head of Lake Pepin.
Because of the continuous low water levels which contribute to much easier feeding opportunities in the backwaters, there are still many large groups of pelicans in the Wacouta area.
According to the Army Corp of Engineers, dredging activity at the Head of the Lake between mile marker 784.5 and 785.5 have been taking place since September 30th.
The 9 foot navigation channel has narrowed to 250 feet wide instead of the desired width of 500 feet because of the low water level and sediment buildup.
As of October 20th, dredging is still taking place out in front of Presbyterian Point.
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