Natural North Dakota

We may occasionally hear disparaging comments about the management of native prairie (e.g., overgrazing), but leaving it completely idle or rested for many years is not a good option. Active management is needed to keep the prairie in good condition.

What is it about kids and caterpillars? It seems like kids of my generation at some point found a caterpillar and promptly put it (along with some plant material) in a jar with some holes punched in the lid, and watched it so see what would happen.

It is not too early to start looking for some Juneberry patches to harvest this summer.

The orchid family is one of the largest and most diverse family of flowering plants and widely recognized for their attractive and fragrant flowers. Even though we can now find orchids for sale in several big box stores, the mention of orchids often brings out thoughts of exotic tropical locations.

It might surprise you, but the fox squirrel is not native to North Dakota.

The landscape has been changing from brown to green, and for the casual observers, most of that fresh green color is often largely attributed to grass growth. But it might not all be what it seems. Much of that new green growth, particularly in the wetter habitats may not be grasses but sedges, a group of plants that are not well known.

What are the chances that an egg laid by a duck hatches, develops, and lives to see its first birthday. As you might assume, the odds are not good.

Over the next few weeks, you might want to consider grabbing the binoculars and heading out to some nearby wetlands. There is much to see there this time of year, plus you have a good chance to see some Wilson’s phalaropes, which are widely distributed in North Dakota, particularly in shallow water. These small shorebirds are quite interesting and can provide some great entertainment.

If the morel mushrooms are not popping up in your area, they should be soon. As many of you know, morel mushrooms are eminently edible and the mushroom of choice for mushroom hunters.

Are you anxious to see the return of ruby-throated hummingbirds? If so, now might be a good time to start cleaning up the feeders and setting them out, because they usually start showing up around early May.

We seldom give plant sex much consideration, but some species of flowering plants produce flowers with both male and female reproductive structures in the same flower (perfect flowers). Most of the plants you are familiar with are in that category. Other species produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant.

Spring is often punctuated by a series of new sights and sounds as winter gives way to summer. It seems like each new sighting of a bird, for example, is duly noted and announced to others. Sighting the first robin of the season is probably the best example, but don’t forget to pay attention to the many other varied sounds of spring.

If you grew up in or before the 1950s or 1960s, butterflies were likely a common sight during the summer months, including monarchs, painted ladies, red admirals, swallowtails, blues, whites, sulphurs, and mourning cloaks. Many kids even had butterfly collections. That is not the case these days. Things have changed, and not in a good way.

It is officially spring. The spring equinox, you may recall, occurred back on March 20. And if your senses seem to have been dulled a little over the winter months, getting out in nature can help give them a boost. Consider going for a walk through the woods, grassland, or other places to soak up what nature has to offer in the spring. And while you are out there, keep an eye out for deer sheds, or perhaps elk and moose for that matter.

Most everyone has heard the news of the tragic passing of two-time Academy Award winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife (Betsy Arakawa). His wife, you may recall, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hantavirus exists in North Dakota, and a reminder of the virus and disease might be helpful and timely.

I happened to notice that Dances with Wolves was running on one of the cable stations recently. That 1990 film starring Kevin Costner had some great scenes of bison herds and a bison hunt. I could not help but imagine what those immense herds of bison looked like before European settlement.

If you have not seen any Canada geese yet this year, you should soon. The migration is on, and some stay in the state year-round — for example, along the Missouri River.

Kelly’s Slough National Wildlife Refuge, near Grand Forks, is well-known to area bird enthusiasts as being a great place to do some bird watching, particularly during the spring and fall migrations. Depending upon weather, bird watching should be quite good from around the late March through May.

Are you up for checking out the night sky? Whether you are familiar with the winter constellations, interested in learning a few, or just want to gaze up at the cosmos, the next few nights might be a great time to do so if the sky is clear. That is because there is a new moon coming up on February 28. And of course, it could also be good for several nights after the new moon as well.

Occasionally we need to be reminded that before pharmacies, cultures had to rely on native plants and animals as sources of medicine. I was reminded recently when I was going through some papers and came across a copy of a manuscript titled “Lakota Medicinal and Culturally Important Plants,” authored by Wilbur Flying By, Sr. and Linda Different Cloud Jones, copyrighted by Sitting Bull College in 2003. The manuscript contains the scientific name, common name, Lakota name, and use of the plants.