North Woods Naturalist
Contributor(s):
Chel Anderson
Chel Anderson is a botanist and plant ecologist. She lives in the Hovland area and keeps close tabs on daily changes happening in the great outdoors. She shares her insights with WTIP listeners every Tuesday during the AM and PM Community Calendar programs. Subscribe to our North Woods Naturalist podcast.
Arts, cultural and history features on WTIP are made possible in part by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Check out other programs and features funded in part with support from the Heritage Fund.
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Voracious eaters: short tailed shrews
-They’re small, fast and can be a big help to gardeners. WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about short tailed shrews.
Crossbills -- left and right "handed"
-The crossbill is superbly suited to feeding the way it does. WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about this unique and interesting bird.
Icey truth about rings around the moon
-Winter is a good time to see a ring around the moon. WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about high thin clouds and six-sided crystals.
Burls are more than "bumps on a log"
-They’re a familiar sight in our north woods, but are they injuries? Do they harm the trees? WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about burls.
Eastern dwarf mistletoe is not the kissing kind
-We have a variety of mistletoe here in the north woods…it’s just not the familiar kissing kind. WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about mistletoe and wit
You can find conks on your trees in the woods
-You’ve seen those mushrooms growing like shelves on trees. They’re not dead, they’re alive and doing interesting things.
Leaf litter and the scent of autumn
-One of the distinctive impressions we have of this time of year is the way it smells. WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about leaf litter and the scent of autumn.
Lapland longspur migration
-One of the fall migrants we see in flocks on grassy ground is the Lapland longspur. WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about these camouflaged seed eaters.
Snakes are settling in for the winter
-Fall is hibernation time, and that includes our neighborhood snakes. WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about snakes in the rocks.
Bumblebees in fleece jackets
-Bumblebees are still out, and they are probably queens looking to dig in for winter.
