After thanking them as best we could, we took our leave of Dave and Beth, and wonderful, cheesy Wisconsin, on a Sunday morning. The best route to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, our next stop, was on the interstate. We had to get through Chicago!
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Tiny But Fierce Screech Owl
There are many species of owls in the United States, but one of the smallest and most interesting is the eastern screech owl. These tiny owls measure only 6-9 inches tall, but don’t let their small size fool you.
Traveling America By Van: Out And About In West Bend
Dave and Beth met us at their door. It was so good to see them! There was laughter, and tears, and stories old and new, and food, and drink, and it went on deep into the evening. Good stuff, all. I wondered what to do the next day.
Tuna Tagging In The Tuna Capital
Decades ago, Venice, Louisiana became world famous for one thing: Yellowfin Tuna. There is a three fish per angler limit of 27” or greater Yellowfin Tuna, and for decades these numbers were taken back to the docks easily. Presently no captain in Venice will tell you it’s a good idea to take so many tunas out of the Gulf.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: Common Grackles Eat Everything
The common grackle is one of many blackbirds that we often see in our backyards, although they are larger and have longer tails than most other blackbirds like red-winged blackbirds, cowbirds and European starlings. They can often be seen hunting for food along the ground alone, but they will also travel in flocks.
Traveling America By Van: Heading To West Bend
We'd left the Badlands, heading east on Interstate 90. Coffee! I want coffee! Starbucks are few and far between in this part of South Dakota. Siri directed us to a gas station. Gas station coffee is uniformly disgusting, but this gas station had a satellite coffee shop within.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Subterranean Eastern Worm Snake
Snakes are not the most beloved creatures in the great outdoors, but each species of snake has its own place in the ecosystem and each serves an important purpose. One interesting snake species that goes almost unnoticed throughout much of the Midwest and eastern United States is the Eastern Worm Snake.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The White-Tailed Deer
White-tailed deer are a familiar sight for most of us as we drive along our local highways and country roads. They are often standing out in the middle of a field or pasture or along the edge of a woodlot, searching for tender vegetation to munch on.
Traveling America By Van: Badlands National Park
After an hour's drive from Rapid City on the interstate, we reached Badlands National Park. Bison greeted us first; then the ranger at the park's entrance station did. She gave us a park map, and said, "The first pullout you'll come to is the one for the Pinnacles."
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The House Finch
Back yard birdwatchers are very familiar with one of our most common birds: the House Finch. These gregarious finches are easily attracted to all types of bird feeders, and they show up in good numbers all year long, even during the coldest days of winter.
Six Tips for Hunting the Rut
As we neared our hunting lease, the Great Plains sunrise was so magnificent that I asked my buddy to stop the truck so that I could capture the image. One step out of the door, a buck suddenly emerged from the road-side ditch 50 yards away.
Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Pesky Short Tailed Shrew
There is a common pest in the Midwest and northeastern United States that causes trouble for gardeners during the summer months. They are small – about the size of a mouse. They are usually black or dark gray in color, and as their name implies they have a very short tail.