Woods & Waters

04/23/2025

Set your alarm for Friday morning to see the sky 😊 with the conjunction of the moon, Venus, and Saturn around 5:30 am!

The triple conjunction event involves Saturn, Venus, and a crescent moon.

04/20/2025

Here’s a good article further explaining the GLOS Seagull monitoring system.

“This map is going to go dark,” say Great Lakes Observing System directors.

04/19/2025

Morel season is fast approaching!

Michigan morel hunters, it’s almost time.

04/18/2025

Goats are, well, the GOAT.

They’ll munch their way through most anything — in this instance including invasive phragmites!!!

04/18/2025

FYI, if you all appreciate our feed of trying to keep you aware of articles, news bits, etc as they relate to the environment, the Great Lakes, the UP, items of interest, general science-related — whether it’s good, bad, or simply informative — please look if you’ve recently been invited to follow our page so you are more likely to SEE our posts.

We are trying to be a good curator of relevant information and hope it’s helpful and useful. Let us know below what you think! Thanks!

And a nice bit of what to listen for tomorrow. I’ve been enjoying a barred owl lately nearby.

04/17/2025

Boaters, mariners, and kayakers — YOU NEED TO SPEAK UP AND CONTACT YOUR GOVERNEMNT!

if you've used the Seagull webpage run by GLOS in the last few years, you will understand how detrimental it would/will be to have this system of buoys taken off-line by cuts.

Seasonally the Les Cheneaux Islands have had a buoy just off the SW tip of Marquette Island and the data this buoy has provided for us in trip planning has been an informative and critical data source — especially the water temperatures.

If you're a fisherman, you know how fish move with water temps and wind direction — these buoys will impact you as well.

I implore you to please contact your representative — Canadian boaters will also lose access to this system.

Recent reports, including the articles below, describe major proposed budget cuts to NOAA. The reported cuts would slash NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) budget, and eliminate the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) entirely. If IOOS is eliminated, GLOS would also shut down.
https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-seeks-end-climate-research-premier-u-s-climate-agency

https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/trump-congress-noaa-budget-cuts-california-20275773.php

The proposed cuts would force GLOS to remove equipment from the water and shut down partnerships with public and private-sector partners whose work with GLOS directly supports emergency response, water quality protection, and economic development ->
https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-great-lakes-research-proposed-cuts-noaa

GLOS’ data and information protect Great Lakes communities and residents by reducing the risk of weather- and lake-caused damage and loss of life.

04/17/2025

Gifted article so it’s readable.

Important to understand what’s coming next with regards to the widespread tree damage from the ice storm — the beetles are coming.

Michigan ice storm sets stage for logging race against beetle invasion.

04/16/2025

Hot button topic. With currents, the Les Cheneaux would be in direct line of impact from any eventual oil spill. Michigan’s Native American tribes are frustrated as well. And there was an oil spill just last week on a different pipeline. 😰

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District, heeding an emergency order from President Donald Trump to expedite the review process for energy supply projects, will accelerate its permitting process for a proposed tunnel for an oil and gas pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac lake bottom.

04/16/2025

Always look forward to seeing the spunky jewels flying around!

Michiganders might see up to six hummingbird species, but most are rare visitors.

04/15/2025

It’s almost time, so don’t forget (BTW, the Hessel Marina was still iced in and the whole bay out to Haven Island this past weekend).

♻️🚤 Boaters—don’t trash your shrink-wrap, recycle it!
You'll help keep plastic out of landfills and turn it into something useful—like composite decking.

Here's how: https://tinyurl.com/2edbe7nn

04/14/2025

I feel like I have 760K box elder bugs in my home...but what a sight these sand hill cranes must be! Someday I hope to go to this corner of Nebraska.

After more than 1,500 of the lanky birds died in Indiana, wildlife biologists in Nebraska were on high alert for the virus—but so far, the visiting birds seem happy and healthy

04/11/2025

30–40 years before a sugar maple is mature enough to become a make syrup producer. 25% of the crop lost this year and for untold many more for many producers. 😬

The storm struck the northern Lower Peninsula in the middle of sap harvest season.

04/11/2025

Although the use of CRISPR is interesting to “bring back” long extinct species, I’m also reminded the unintended consequences demonstrated in Crichton’s Jurassic Park.

This gifted article makes some good points that technology should not upend conservation practices or that technology can “save” everything, but what do our followers think?

The interior secretary hailed a biotech company’s claim to have brought back the dire wolf, while the administration and GOP push to roll back species protections.

04/11/2025

Migration season to the north is underway — raptors are being counted already too. Some great resources in this article. Turn off your outdoor lights and use curtains if you have them. Help the birds!

The massive annual spring migration of America's birds – millions of them – is underway. Here's how to follow along at home.

04/10/2025

Drove through Ga***rd recently along Alba Highway. The tree loss is 💔

Pigeon River Country State Forest sustained staggering damage in its red pine plantation from the ice storm that hit Northern Michigan. Heavy ice snapped off...

04/09/2025

Great info to be aware of as the island begins welcoming tourists back right around the corner! The red shows CURRENTLY closed roads and lanes on Mackinac Island due to the ice storm. Even as clean-up is prioritized on M-185 and other main routes, some officials estimate it will take months to clear everything.

04/08/2025

This is mostly for preserves in the NW lower, but be aware everywhere of downed trees, limbs, and hanging limbs that could fall.

04/07/2025

Perceptive article, gifted so non-mLive subscribers can read, discussing the unforeseen environmental implications of extended conservation initiatives aimed at preserving the Kirtland warbler and identifying critical future landscape management needs for sustaining Michigan's pine barrens. Enjoy!

Jack pine plantations rescued the iconic songbird but may doom other rare Michigan species.