Category Archives: Life Science
Picking Wild Plums
Several weeks ago, I waded across the Creek and picked twelve pounds of wild plums. That’s not so easy to do this week because the channel is back to running full after the latest “rain bomb”. Most of the major … Continue reading
Fall on the Farm
Our currant pop culture recognizes Labor Day as the last weekend of summer. Some schools started in August, but most started this past week. The astronomical end of summer and beginning of fall is still several weeks away (September 22-23), … Continue reading
Ice Age Animals
Last week we left the Farm on a quick, nostalgic trip to the Black Hills. We did all the “touristy” things that we haven’t done for decades, including the Mammoth Site at Hot Springs. My bright wife suggested that we … Continue reading
Two Layers of Bones
This tooth was found several years ago on a sand bar along Kanaranzi Creek. It probably eroded out from the layer of gravel that’s buried beneath the Creek bed. And, it’s probably a tooth from a wooly mammoth. That suggests … Continue reading
Wild Cucumber Hanging Around
Have you seen any of this stuff lately? It’s prime time for the wild cucumber vines and they’re climbing everywhere! Here’s one stretched up on the lilac bushes north of the old house. The other one nearby is headed up … Continue reading
Queen Anne’s Lace
Over the past several weeks, the Queen Anne’s Lace has made its annual appearance. Usually we’ve got grandchildren visiting the Farm and that’s the way that it happened again this year. These two pictures, however, are from past years; both … Continue reading
Unsettled Weather
This past weekend a pretty strong storm system blew through South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It was the culmination of a week of unsettled weather and it marked the change from hot and humid to cooler temperatures. We had more … Continue reading
Milkweed
The milkweed is in bloom. There’s been lots of discussion in conservation and environmental circles about the importance of milkweed for Monarch butterflies. As the population of Monarchs has declined, people are asked to plant milkweed to support Monarchs and … Continue reading
Frog Calling
This past Monday morning, I finally got a response to my frog calling down at the Creek. I’ve been doing this frog calling periodically since mid-May, but the first answer that I’ve gotten back this year was on July 1. … Continue reading
Solstice Season
This is the season of cottonwood seeds. Like dandelion down, cottonwood seeds are spread by the wind and take root where they fall. They especially like wet, muddy places along the creek, but that makes them vulnerable to flooding. Several … Continue reading
