December 15,  2023

Bounding Deer in the Park

My wife and I were close to the end of a walk on a sunny and almost 60 degree day .  Still  no snow  but flurries that melted quickly even though it is December.   A new path had been mowed between the cemetary and the chalet for the moonlit hike in January.  As we walked toward the woods I saw three deer ahead.  When they saw us and they ran away.  I caught several of them bounding as they fled.

Liking the Lichens

My wife and I walk at Fort Ridgely year-round for exercise as well as to look at and photograph what is happening in nature.  My wife sometimes does not like when we stop so often to take pictures.  The exercise apps on our watches and phones get impatient with us when we stop and say to get moving.  This time of year, there is not as much to see in nature to photograph as some animals and insects are flying south, hibernating or using other schemes to survive the Minnesota winter.  We get our   steps done sooner and navigate through the trails faster.

One thing that is still very easily seen this time of year is lichens. They are found on tree branches and trunks. Some rocks have them covering them.  Even the metal on the two bridges over Fort RIdgely Creek has lots of lichens growing on it. The colors are quite spectacular and if you use a closeup camera lens the structures are amazing.

Eagle on Roadkill

We were driving to New Ulm on the road through the Minnesota River valley that most area people call the "bottom road" and we drove by two dead deer in the ditch near the road.  The first had two eagles: a mature eagle like the one in the pictures below and a young but full-grown eagle that had not developed the white head feathers yet. They both flew away very close to our car but I was not able to take any pictures.  The one below was on a second deer not far from the first.  It was far enough into the ditch that it felt comfortable with our stopping and taking a few pictures.  Eventually it got nervous and flew away.

 Candlelight Hike on January 24, 2024

Get outside this winter and see the wonders of Fort Ridgely State Park at night, with hundreds of candle luminaries to light your way through some of the most scenic trails. There will be two loops to choose from to create your own adventure for a truly unique winter experience! Warm-up and spend time with friends and family over three campfires spread out throughout the trails and free hot chocolate is available in the Chalet.

The first self-guided loop is approximately 1 mile long and leads you through the restored tallgrass prairie and down to the Fort Ridgely Creek River Valley. It features rolling hills that can become snowy and icy during the winter. The second loop is roughly 0.75 miles, goes through the historic site and cemetery, and is relatively flat and open.

To join, please meet at the Chalet or Day Use Picnic Area anytime between 5 and 8 p.m. Staff ask visitors to carpool to save space for parking since it is limited.

The text above was copied from the Fort Ridgely DNR website under Events Calendar.  I know they can use some help setting out candles.  I have done this twice.  Contact Joanne if you can help at joanne.svendsen@state.mn.us

Last year this hike was on a perfect night with no clouds to block the full moon, relatively warm weather and lots of snow to walk through.  Joanne estimated that over 1000 people hiked the trails.  Look back at the update for February 22, 2023 for pictures and a summary of that event.

Early Winter Sunrises and Sunsets

Though we have not had much snow or rain for the last several months, the clouds at sunrise and sunset have been spectacular.     Here are a few that I captured with my phone and not my bigger camera.