Outdoors

This Week In Nature

A weekly digest of how and where to look for transformations in Minnesota’s flora and fauna.

Maple, oak and birch trees are blooming. Yes, blooming.

You just have to look closely enough to see the tiny flowers.
April 27, 2025
Tiny blooms appear on oak trees.

Flower flash mob: Don’t miss Minnesota’s spring ephemerals

The short-lived blossoms are soaking up sun before shade envelops them.
April 20, 2025

Buzz killers: Big brown bats get head start on mosquito control

Minnesota’s hardiest bat is pivotal in keeping mosquitos and other insects down.
April 13, 2025
Dr. Leslie Reed handles a big brown bat which has a wing with necrotic tissue, which could be the result of injury or possibly frostbite. ] (Aaron Lavinsky | StarTribune) The Star Tribune profiles the Wildlife Rehab Center and all the animals they treat in the winter. Dr. Leslie Reed is photographed performing "re-checks" on various animals on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014.

Frogsicles: Frozen frogs are thawing out for spring

Wood frogs create the equivalent of antifreeze to survive winter.
April 6, 2025

Pasqueflowers are popping up in patches of Minnesota prairie

Look closely or you might miss the early bloomers.
March 30, 2025
Reaching for the sun - One of the earliest flowers to bloom each spring are the Pasque Flowers.

They’re back: Minnesota’s black bears are emerging from their dens

Cubs born in January and February are reaching five or six pounds.
March 23, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources would like to remind you that you don't know beans about bears.

How do you know spring is near in Minnesota? This stinky plant blooms - and kicks out heat

The inside of a skunk cabbage bloom can be more than 30 degrees warmer than the air surrounding it.
March 16, 2025

So sappy! Minnesota maple trees are flowing.

This Week in Nature: Warmer daytime temperatures and nights below freezing mean sap is running for syrup-making.
March 9, 2025

Oh, fer cute: It’s time to watch for playful otters as ice weakens on Minnesota lakes

The entertaining critters appear through holes in the ice.
March 2, 2025

This week is your best chance to see rare parade of seven planets

The parade will be on display just after dusk. Bring binoculars.
February 24, 2025

It’s prime time to spot bald eagle pairs doing midair spirals in Minnesota

This Week in Nature: Eagles are converging around open water on the Mississippi River, and some are starting to nest.
February 23, 2025

Minnesota’s elusive pine martens are on the hunt in snowy woods

The capable hunters are fueling up before the next generation is born, starting next month.
February 10, 2025
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