Long Lake Conservation Center Homepage

News From Nature at Long Lake

1998 Phenology
1/5/98
First day of cross country skiing for the 97-98 winter (?) season. LL has 1 to 2 inches of snow cover. Icy skiing.
1/5/98
It's snowing!! It's about time.
1/6/98
Cloudy, warm day. Good all around kind of a day.
1/7/98
The new snow covers the trees and plants like frosting, giving a scene of beauty.
1/7/98
Jack Frost was here for a very beautiful visit. Lasted all day long.
1/8/98
Saw 5 deer on 232 right before Palisade.
1/8/98
Drop in temp, windy-Bitterly cold (if there is such a thing this winter) combination...welcome to the new year.
1/10/98
Outside Detroit Lakes, at 1800, a fantastic moon dog...with 3 rings was observed by the Francis'. It had 2 rings in a vertical plane, as well as one on a horizontal plane. There were also rainbow colors here and there on the rings.
1/12/98
First day...saw a Pileated woodpecker on my way to breakfast. D.R.
1/13/98
Saw two red squirrels doing a nice courtship dance outside the dining hall window.
1/13/98
Terrific early morning bird songs (750) Temp= -28° with windchill at -45°.
1/14/98
Orange colored moon right over the lake at dawn. D.R.
1/14/98
Very cold this morning. Saw a Red fox by flats on Hwy 5 around 845. Temp= -15°.
1/14/98
Nice clear night, lots of stars out- Full moon (mostly) shining bright, illuminating a portion of the lake and surroundings.
1/15/98
Delicate looking frost decorating the surroundings...beautiful.
 
1/15/98
Woke up to frosty trees glittering in the sun. D.R.
1/16/98
New snow this morning- wiped off the frost covering off the trees- looks barren now.
1/16/98
Pretty good breeze bowing in the afternoon.
1/17/98
Warm, gray, melting, wet day., however, parts of the day were glaringly bright, parts cloud covered and gray.
1/17/98
Woke up to heavy snowfall this morning, beautiful.
1/18/98
Saw deer in the thicket by the archery shed.
1/18/98
Heard a large variety of bird songs, with some squirrel's moving about too.
1/19/98
There are more and more deer tracks everyday on the lake. Think they play games out there at night!
1/19/98
Red squirrels are very active today.
1/20/98
Strong winds...snow falling and blowing horizontally.
1/20/98
Saw a red squirrel jump from tree and dove into the snow. Never saw it again!
1/21/98
Large variety of animal tracks around.
1/21/98
Snow depth in North Bog is about 2.5 feet.
1/22/98
Snowing...small,barely perceptible flakes at first, gradually becoming larger and crowded to the point of getting harder to see outside.
1/22/98
Just before midnight, I woke up and made my way down to the oar house. From there, I used my headlamp to shine out across the lake. I saw about 10 pairs of deer eyes, as they were entranced with the bright light. A few minutes later, they wandered off to the south side of the lake.
1/23/98
Rode bike to Palisade on a beautiful day, got bit by a dog on the way.
1/23/98
The winter birds are active this morning.
1/24/98
The color of nature is astounding today. It begins with the yellows and browns of a cattail swamp, to the red-brown colors of brush on open land, converging into the tall, lonely stalks of deciduous trees, with a mixture of greens, browns, and some yellow of the evergreens. Then, back to the red-brown of the brush, to the beginning of the next stretch.
1/24/98
Noticed it being very quiet outside. No wind noise, no animal noise, no kid noise, no nothing.
1/25/98
All week the icicles have been growing and dripping, but today, all growth has stopped.
1/25/98
VERY windy and snowy. The drifts are really starting to show up on the lake. It looks like waves.
1/26/98
Very nice, seasonable day.
1/27/98
Otters spotted on the lake by the beaver lodge.
1/27/98
Beautiful,warm day today...31° at 1300.
1/28/98
Fog over the lake this morning. It was a picture-postcard sight.
1/28/98
A major icicle growing/dripping day. Water was literally pouring down the icicles.
1/29/98
The beauty of nature's early morning frosting!
1/29/98
Saw my first porcupine today.
1/30/98
10-20 Redpolls flying in a group into the tree by the dining hall.
1/30/98
Snow is melting a lot today. Very seasonable.
1/31/98
Very heavy fog this morning over the lake again.
1/31/98
Blue jays and crows are out and very active today.
2/1/98
Two deer were digging for food behind lakeside lab at 2300 in beautiful light snow.
2/1/98
Around 1930-2000, it started to snow. Small flakes at first, then bigger and bigger and more as the night went on.
2/1/98
Raccoon on the Mississippi River bridge on Hwy. 232 at Palisade.
2/2/98
One big otter was rolling around on the ice as though it was playing in the new fallen snow.
2/2/98
Another hole has opened up on the lake over the deep area.
2/2/98
Otter on the lake this a.m..
2/3/98
Awesome sunrise, dude!
2/3/98
The sky was filled with the stars this night.
2/4/98
Heavy, glittery frost over everything...looks like tinsel scattered on a Christmas tree. One of the most beautiful mornings in a long time.
2/4/98
Frosted mini-trees for breakfast this morning.
2/5/98
A few more holes are open on the lake this morning.
2/5/98
Large raccoon at Chris'...cat afraid. (80+ lb., big Mom!)
2/5/98
Saw a snowshoe hare tracks on other side of the radio tower about 100 yards.
2/6/98
The twinkling of the frost on the snow looks like 1000's of stars.
2/6/98
A fly sitting and flying on the outside of Dining Hall (south side).
2/7/98
Very warm day to day...40+°.
2/7/98
The otters were out many times today, also a crow spent time by one of the open holes.
2/8/98
To the right of the morning sun @ 830, there was a rainbow-colored ring on just that one side. Greens, yellows, and reds made up the color combination.
2/8/98
In the evening around 1910-1915, the moon shine was bright with a yellow, thick halo around it. The outer edges of the halo were a reddish-pink color.
2/9/98
The chickadees are out in numbers today.
2/9/98
A mosquito was in the dining hall today.
2/9/98
It's so strange to go outside at 2200 hours and listen to the water still dripping off the trees and the roof.
2/10/98
Mud abounds where the snow cover is gone. The Oak Point teachers don't mind this weather, considering that some of them were here last year when it was the 30 below stuff!
2/1/0/98
A Grouse flew out from the reeds behind the oar house and startled me. Who is this person? Don't know.
2/10/98
No moon to be seen...total cloud cover.
2/11/98
Cloudy, dismal day, but clear night with bright moon.
2/11/98
Treed a big porcupine just past sumac hill today. Amazing how fast they can move when they want to.
2/12/98
South facing hills have next to no snow on them.
2/12/98
Numerous otter sightings today.
2/13/98
New, thin layer of snow this morning.
2/13/98
Both otters were out playing on the new layer of snow this morning on my way to the dining hall.
2/14/98
Icy layer of precipitation coated the sidewalks this evening. Happy Valentine's Day!
2/15/98
Bald Eagle hung around the lake all day picking up the scraps the otters left behind. Beautiful, mature adult. Let's see how long it stays at LL.
2/16/98
Because of the warm temps. this past month, most of the snow on the lake has melted down to the ice. I guess it's going to be an early ice-out this year.
2/17/98
Spring is here! It is 34°, water standing on the sidewalk in deep pools, the lake is slushy with numerous open areas, and the snow is playing "show and tell" somewhere else. To top it off, this is only the middle of February...welcome to Spring!
2/17/98
Measured the thickness of LL's ice. Six inches of slush and 12 inches of solid ice...in some places. A strong wind blowing today.
2/18/98
Observance... The deer may make an amazing come back this year (at least in parts of this state). The does were seen with twins and some triplets last summer/fall, and this winter has been extremely mild. There are open spots of grass and bare ground everywhere, which enlarge with the passing of each day. Food is plentiful and there's very little to slow them from running, as opposed to the last two winters. Enjoy!
2/18/98
Drizzling off and on all day. Continued warm temps.
2/18/98
X-c skiing and snowshoeing and the Thicket all removed from Hi-C and OLOV's schedule. Doing those "in between" activities already.
2/19/98
The are putting siding on the new dining hall...Cool!
2/19/98
Otters are sitting by the open holes.
2/19/98
Bald eagle spotted on on the lake at about 1800 hrs.
2/20/98
Sunny day for a change. Picks up every bodies spirits.
2/20/98
Millie saw on her way home 3 raccoons (one with a bobbed tail) and a fox.
2/21/98
Dusting of snow early this morning.
2/21/98
Chipmunk spotted in Bob E.'s front yard.
2/22/98
Very windy today. Doors were slamming, plastic was whipping, and the trees were swaying.
2/22/98
Ojibwe snow snake track made, snowsnake competition.
2/23/98
Rain and fog characterize this day. Mid 40's for a high.
2/23/98
Wet and misty morning.
2/23/98
Four deer cross the lake from north to south shore.
2/24/98
Ice cups have formed on the lake with this warm weather.
2/24/98
Moth at night lands at the light by the ski hut.
2/24/98
Holy heat wave, Batman! 55 degrees!!
2/25/98
Cold and chilly fall-like weather today...spring is over.
2/25/98
The wind blew down a hanging tree.
2/26/98
Cold today, winter is here once again.
2/26/98
Two chipmunks outside Dave's window this morning.
2/27/98
Wet, blowing, slushy snow falling this a.m..
2/27/98
Forkhorn buck -with antlers?- browses in Bob S.'s feeder.
2/28/98
Sharp-shinned hawk nabs nuthatch at Bob S.'s feeder.
2/28/98
Lots of tracks around water holes in the lake.
2/28/98
Edges of lake are starting to recede.
3/1/98
1" of heavy, wet snow fell last night.
3/1/98
It's a gray day today.
3/2/98
Cold front moving in. First one with below normal temps since the first part of January.
3/2/98
At 1845 deer were seen crossing the lake.
3/3/98
Ice on the lake refreezing.
 
3/4/98
Cloudiest winter in 35 years.
3/4/98
Teen temps for overnight.
3/4/98
A Barred owl came in close to the Bertha-Hewitt kids and hooted repeatedly on the night trek.
 
3/5/98
Pussy willows by the Marcum house.
3/5/98
6 deer under the oak tree eating acorns at Kim's...then Bear went outside.
3/5/98
Light new fallen snow (2115 hrs.).
3/6/98
Two Canada geese flew over the Marcum house just above tree level squawking up a storm.
3/7/98
Sun!!! All morning long.
3/7/98
On Hwy. 232 Sat. morning 26 deer on field at 5:45.
3/7/98
Two hawks and 1 flying squirrel seen. The two hawks were fighting with each other.
3/8/98
Very cold and windy today.
3/9/98
The wind is very loud today...blowing fast and furious.
3/10/98
Snowshoe hare tracks by the wilderness meal fires.
3/11/98
Moon almost full...shining bright. Lake is singing.
3/13/98
40-50 Bald eagles seen on Dave's trip down to LaCrosse, WI.
3/15/98
A red-tailed hawk flew by my car north of Aitkin.
3/15/98
A red fox visits Bob S.'s feeder and perches on the table.
3/18/98
7:20...2 swans seen on Hill River on the edge of Hill Lake outside Hill City.
3/18/98
"Big wind" blowing today, powerful and loud like a freight train.
3/19/98
A male Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk) was skimming the rice paddies north of Aitkin.
3/19/98
Gray squirrel getting nest material and one chipmunk chasing another around the trees.
3/20/98
Pat is seeing red foxes on Cty. 5 at night and early morning, 2-3x a week.
3/20/98
Approximately 2238 the owl symphony was taking place.
3/21/98
The ice on the lake is in 2 layers. underneath is a thick layer and on top is a very thin, crisp layer. It is still strong enough to walk on.
3/22/98
Aitkin County is marked with areas of prescribed burning.
3/23/98
Raccoons are out 2000 hrs..
3/23/98
Grouse drumming in the woods at Kim's in early am.
3/24/98
Lake is constantly singing.
3/25/98
12 geese and 2 ducks flew over LLCC in morning.
3/25/98
Ruffed grouse strutting in the woods close to the porcupine tree den on the trail out to the bog.
3/25/98
Moth "hangin' on" to the garage in am.
3/25/98
9 deer visit Bob S.'s feeder
3/25/98
Really spring-like as temps soar to 58 degrees.
3/25/98
At 1715, Katie S. and Bob hear a robin doing a territorial call...now, that's spring!
3/25/98
Horned larks along Co. Rd. 5 near Carlson's farm.
3/26/98
Thick fog in am.
3/26/98
Keith drills LL and finds 8" of soft, gray ice.
3/26/98
Clouds of flies are everywhere.
3/26/98
Overnight low of 47°...heavy fog and rain at 530.
3/26/98
A woodcock was displaying at 1900 hrs. over the edge of the south bog, behind the red trail.
3/26/98
Bald eagle eating fish on east end of LL, seen by all the students and staff of Crestview.
3/27/98
A kestrel was on a power line at Pat's this am.
3/27/98
Lake ice has turned a dark blue.
3/27/98
Very foggy this evening...spooky, but somewhat enchanting.
3/27/98
Red-tailed hawk soaring over Cty. 5.
3/28/98
American painted lady butterfly at Kim's.
3/28/98
Woolly bear caterpillar found on bog walk.
3/28/98
Wood tick found on staff.
3/29/98
Heard deer walking on the ice and breaking through, also other animals splashing into the water when startled (2230 hrs.)
3/31/98
Snow and strong winds...toppling the display sign by the dining hall...Keith says never has he seen.
3/31/98
This storm wallops quite a punch...killer tornadoes in St. Peter and Comfrey; heavy wind and rains and snow throughout the upper midwest; and record heat ahead of warm front. What an explanation point to a totally odd winter.
3/31/98
Killdeer flying and having a fit at the St. Paul Amtrak depot at 2230 hrs..
3/31/98
Male and female Hooded Mergansers swimming in LL.
4/1/98
A flock of Killdeer greets Bob S. by the Fleming Methodist church.
4/1/98
Storm totals 8" of snow...1.37" precip.
4/1/98
Juncos show up at the feeders.
4/1/98
One last reference to the storm...the strong east winds rake most of the ice off LL...not official ice out, but real close.
4/1/98
Beaver seen behind the Red Shed.
4/2/98
Grackles greet Bob S. with their cheerful squeaky call.
4/2/98
Saw one mallard pair today.
4/2/98
Saw 5 deer together in the woods
4/3/98
Over 50° today and all sun!! The sunset was like fire in the sky.
4/3/98
One lonely Chorus frog croaking intermittently in wetland behind the garage.
4/4/98
Purple finches at the thistle feeder.
4/4/98
Windy, warm day took all the ice away from LL.
 
4/5/98
Woke up to 8 Canada geese on the beach, with five mallards accompanying them
4/5/98
A loon was on LL late in the afternoon...Was that when Keith was checking the motorboat??...Just kiddin'!
4/5/98
Phoebe arrives singing its name- "phoebe...phoebe...".
4/5/98
2 White-throated sparrows forage in the feeder area.
4/5/98
What a day! A high of 65°...second day in a row.
4/5/98
A flock of eagles,6, soars high overhead , northward bound.
4/6/98
Thunder and lightning tonight, since 2150 onward.
4/6/98
Chorus frogs singing at Pat's.
4/7/98
Rain all day.
4/7/98
Rana giganticum multicuspus was sighted many times by the students of Cambridge.
4/7/98
A student saw a blue-spotted salamander in the thicket.
4/9/98
An osprey is back on the nest on the flats going into Aitkin. A Flicker was seen in a tree on Co.5.
4/10/98
Osprey on Long lake late afternoon.
4/10/98
Red-winged blackbird in McGregor.
4/11/98
Warmest day of the year so far...70°.
4/11/98
Burned the archery field and roadside.
4/12/98
Bufflehead pair on LL this am.
 
4/12/98
Yellow-rumped Warblers at Kim's.
4/13/98
Kingfishers at Kim's.
4/13/98
Yellow-bellied sapsucker at LLCC, also a pair of pied-billed grebes.
4/13/98
2 pair of geese real close to LL beach. One pair hanging around and up on the shore. First time anyone recalls seeing them on the beach area, but then...back into the water and courtship begins, ending in 2 happy geese!!
4/13/98
Raccoon walked by Dave's window and said "Hi" to him before he went to bed. It was a very well fed raccoon!
4/14/98
Hepaticas (Liverworts) are blooming in the woods near the north bog. A bumblebee was flying around, and 2 butterflies.
4/15/98
The ospreys are mating at the nest on the flats.
4/16/98
2 Canada geese ...noisy on LL.
4/19/98
Monarch seen in Key West, FL by Kim.
4/20/98
Millie removed storm windows off the dining hall...Last time forever!!
4/23/98
Osprey soaring over west end of LL.
4/24/98
First (?) dandelion by the dining hall.
4/26/98
35 miles north of LLCC a nest of Sharp-tailed grouse in Chris's woods. The poplar trees are leafing out in the past 3 days, and Blood root, Ginger root and May flowers (Hepatica) are blooming in the forests.
4/26/98
A Great Blue Heron flew over the lake and landed on the left shore in front of the dining hall.
4/27/98
Numerous Dandelions outside of the dining hall. A Gold finch at Bob S.'s house.
4/27/98
4 Dragonflies at Kim's...One pair each of a big blue and a big green mating.
4/28/98
Marsh marigolds blooming on edge of bog.
4/28/98
How cold was it overnight? Cold enough to freeze the water in the bird bath.
4/28/98
Wild plums blooming...mosquitoes not far behind? We'll see!
4/28/98
"Old Sam Peabody, Peabody, etc...White-throated sparrows are back.
4/28/98
Red pine trees showing growth "candles".
4/28/98
Lots of movement/sounds on LL at 2300 hrs., owls were also out.
4/29/98
Great Horned owl resting on far Osprey platform...at least one, probably 2 fledglings.
4/29/98
2 Robins in flight appeared to be fighting.
5/1/98
An owl and 2 baby owls were seen on the osprey platform on the end of LL. The fluffy babies are growing fast.
5/2/98
A robin is building a nest to the right of the door of the Bigfoot den.
5/3/98
A Robin keeps hitting the window on the Bigfoot Den...defending territory and nest.
5/4/98
Nice clear night, bright half moon, smells great and clean after the short rain shower today.
5/5/98
Ice still has not melted beneath the sphagnum moss in the bog.
5/5/98
2 Sandhill cranes flying north over Palisade.
5/6/98
A.m. on Hill Lake, there were 8 GBH's in a tree. When they nest in a group, it's called a rookery.
5/6/98
Northern Harrier flying over the northwest edge of LL.
5/6/98
Windy, cool night with a bright moon and some clouds.
5/8/98
The forest floor is just a carpet of blooming White Trilliums.
5/8/98
A Robin is nesting in the luggage shed by Marcum House.
5/11/98
It rained today...first time in a month.
5/11/98
"Teacher, teacher, teacher..." Ovenbirds are back in full voice.
5/12/98
Ruby-throated hummingbird at Bob E.'s trailer.
5/13/98
Oriole in Carlson's yard.
5/14/98
Whoa, major heat!! LLCC's thermometer tops out at 91°!!
5/15/98
Swallowtail butterflies abound.
5/15/98
More heat and humidity. Late afternoon storms rake state. LLCC receives 0.30" in less than an hour. Brief windy spell.
5/16/98
Storms produce several tornadoes in and around metro area, 1 death in St. Cloud, power and phone out for thousands in Mpls and NW suburbs.
5/18/98
0.44" total in LLCC's rain gauge over weekend.
5/18/98
Oriole singing its heart out at LLCC.
5/18/98
Super hot and muggy, a tough day to get through--temp up to 93°.
5/20/98
Wild rose blooming right in middle of construction.
5/21/98
The Phoebe on the fire alarm at the Marcum House has little ones in her nest.
5/21/98
3 Luna moths seen by staff so far this week, 2 Polyphemus, 2 St. Lawrence Tiger moths, 2 Big Poplar Sphinx, plus numerous Rosy Maple moths and unidentified moths.
5/22/98
First newborn fawn observed north of Wilkin Lake on road to gravel pit.
 
5/22/98
Oak trees fully leafed--flowers gone, and get this...acorns forming (in May!!).
5/25/98
Three baby squirrels living under siding of Dining Hall next to bat house.
5/25/98
Owls still in nest at end of lake. Pretty big and full plumage.
5/25/98
Female mallard with seven little ducklings swimming very close behind.
5/26/98
A hazy day as smoke from Mexico wends its way into the northern lakes region.
5/27/98
Firefly--a "double beamer."
5/28/98
Early morning (late night?)--OK, at 0200 a pretty big rumbler plows through and drops a bunch of rain. 0.30 inches in gauge.
5/30/98
A series of severe storms move through the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan and wreak devastation, misery, and death in their wake. Spencer, South Dakota (roughly the size of McGregor) is obliterated: 6 dead and town 90% destroyed. Thousands of trees down in Minneapolis-St. Paul area, countless houses damaged, and power out for more than 200,000! More deaths in Wisconsin and Michigan.
5/31/98
LLCC's rain gauge has 1.36". May ends with 2.76."
 
6/1/98
After the killer storm leaves the great lakes, it moves to NE US. Total deaths = 17. Millions without power. Many homes damage or destroyed.
6/1/98
Another cold front spawns more storms. Not nearly as powerful, but lots of rain.
6/2/98
LLCC's rain gauge measures 0.67." Now we're being threatened with frost.
6/2/98
Fawn observed near bridge on white trail near Marcum House.
6/3/98
Pat and Kim observed the following flowers blooming on a hike: common cinquefoil, bastard toadflax, black snakeroot, Indian paintbrush, fleabane sp., lesser stitchwort, honeysuckle sp., northern bedstraw. In the bog we saw: moccasin flower (almost done), pitcher plant (just starting, three-leaved false Solomon's seal, cranberry, Labrador tea, cottongrass.
6/9/98
Chicken mushroom still growing near office.
6/9/98
Young porcupine in tree near luggage shed.
6/15/98
While canoeing, Pat and Kim observed the following plants in bloom: marsh cinquefoil, bullhead lily, rose pogonia, greater bladderwort, fragrant water-lily. On a hike through the field we saw: spreading dogbane and wild lettuce (weren't blooming last week). Cedar waxwings were eating reddish berries (black cherries?) near road.
6/29/98
Skink crossing the road outside of Brainerd. Black with blue spots salamander found under piece of birch bark by woodpile.
6/31/98
Pat and Kim were canoeing again and saw blooming: Rose pogonia, grass pink, swamp candles, bladderwort sp., sundew (round-leaved), hatpin, heal's all.
7/2/98
Andrea saw a black bear run behind the dining hall and up to Bob S.'s porch.
7/3/98
Found great Angelica growing on Watab Creek. Got inspected by a woodpecker at 5 ft away.
7/5/98
Bob S. found a black bear sitting on his deck.
7/9/98
During night, mom raccoon and 3 half-growth babies were found playing and raiding the dumpster.
7/10/98
5:50 p.m.
A bittern climbed out of the water and onto the fallen log by the lake level gauge, then waded back in and caught something to eat.
7/10/98
A patch of Indian pipe was found on the north hillside of the lake.
7/30/98
Two half grown raccoons ran in front of of Monique's car in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
8/1/98
Moth resembling leaf cocoon found on building. Found juvenile Katydid also (Andrea). Saw 5 female American Redstarts bathing in the morning dew still on the oak leaves!!
8/20/98
Nighthawks seen migrating near Eveleth. Snapping turtles were hatching and coming up out the sand on the beach halfway between the shore and the grass.
8/20/98
A half-grown badger was seen on Township 55 four miles from Aitkin.
 
8/29/98
Monarchs in migration settled into our oak trees around 8:30 p.m. last night, then left the trees around 8:15-9:00 this a.m. (Pat)
9/8/98
Bill and Craig arrive at LLCC.
9/29/98
A female northern harrier was hovering above Pat's field.
10/2/98
A woodcock flew in front of my car on the flats at 6:30 a.m.
10/2/98
Magpie seen near county rd. 5.
10/6/98
Pine marten on County 88. Juncos are in area.
10/5-10/9
Porcupine on ground west of old dining hall. It's face is damaged--seems to have lost an eye. Eating acorns and pine cones. Pat trapped it on 10/9 and will release it off site.
10/9/98
At peak autumn color this week. Tamaracs starting to turn gold.
10/9/98
There has been frost at night for a week now (first frost 10/1?).
10/9/98
Still waiting for heat to be available in buildings--but system is not up and running yet.
-Abundance of red squirrels and chipmunks--also abundance of acorns.
10/11/98
Millie drove through snowflakes on her ride home.
10/24/98
Six Junco's at bird feeder.
10/26/98
Six flying squirrels at my feeder plus two flying around.
10/24-26/98
Seven Trumpeter Swans on Washburn Lake in far northern Aitkin County (Washburn State Forest).
10/27/98
Bald Eagle in tree alongside of Cty Rd 5--west of Cty Rd 88.
10/30/98
10 deer (one 4-point) seen on way to get mail.
11/1/98
Nice start to November. Clear and calm.
11/2/98
First ice on Long Lake (Craig).
11/8/98
I Tot I saw a snowflake? I did, I did, I did see a snowflake.
11/9/98
It's snowing. Starting to lay on the ground. Ch 13 says up to 10" Yea!!!
11/9/98
First major snowstorms of season pounds South Dakota and western Minnesota. More than a foot of snow and pretty impressive drifts.
11/9/98
Pine siskins at Schwaderers' feeder.
11/10/98
E. Fitzgerald + 23 year. Duluth records a record low reading on the barometer-28.61 (that's low folks!). LLCC receives 0.72" rain topped by 2-3 inches of sloppy snow. Hackensack gets 7".
11/12/98
Many locations N and W below 0°. LLCC? a balmy 17°.
11/12/98
After a chilly night, bright sun elevates temperatures and meltdown begins (high = 32°).
11/12/98
The first Alpha Wolf of the year.
11/13/98
Long Lake covered with ice for the first time this year.
11/13/98
Clouds roll in but warmth continues. High = 40°.
11/13/98
First evening grosbeak shows up at the Schwaderer;'s feeder.
11/13/98
Saw 6:30 a.m. wolf on 169 Hwy near Hwy 3 turnoff. Crossed read going due west.
11/14/98
An unusual clipper storm moves through Friday night. Rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, and fog (everything but lava flow!). Overnight "low" is 35°.
11/14/98
How warm is it? An earthworm seen crossing sidewalk in front of dining hall.
11/15/98
A small clipper rambles through the central part of Minnesota and 2 " fresh powder comes wafting down.
11/16/98
Sun breaks through, temp. climbs to 37° and melts most of the snow on walkways and driveways.
11/17/98
Over 18 Blue Jays at one time on ground in yard (Hill City).
11/17/98
A mature eagle was seen soaring above the flats outside Aitkin this morning. My pansies (Pat) are still blooming.
11/18/98
Feeder rodent census: 13 grey squirrels, 5 reds, and 1 field mouse (at Schwaderers' feeder).
11/18/98
Interns feeder nocturnal rodent count: ?
11/18/98
Another Wednesday, another November gale. This one produces 12" snow at Moorhead, I. Falls, and Ely; rain and sleet in a swath through the center including LLCC; and a couple inches of snow throughout the night.
11/18/98
a.m. in front yard at Chris's house--Barred Owl sitting above bird feeder.
11/24/98
Bob E. saw northern lights. Also saw a motorcyclist on I-35 south of Hinckley.
11/27/98
Pat spots a woman wearing a halter top at Aitkin's Fish House Parade. Talk about mixed metaphors...!
11/27/98
Record highs--and lows--throughout midwest. Cities in Minnesota include: Minneapolis/St.Paul, Duluth, International Falls, St. Cloud, and Fargo/Moorhead. LLCC logs 62°!
11/28/98
Thanksgiving 1998. How warm has it been? Warm enough to keep Keith from ice fishing! Warm enough for Chris to paint her brother's deck in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Warm enough to walk around in a short-sleeved shirt at LLCC. Pretty doggone warm!
11/28/98
Another warm day, but cloudy. Records in Minneapolis/St.Paul, Duluth, and St. Cloud. LLCC logs 58°.
11/28/98
At least 6 immature goldfinches still hanging out at Schwaderers' feeders. Bob E. spots 7-8 deer in the evening.
11/28/98
It's so warm, Christmas tree vendors are wearing shorts; also, the trees are drying out.
11/30/98
Winter returning? An unusual white substance falls from the sky around lunch time. Too warm to stick, though.
12/1/98
November roars in like a lion, slinks out like a lamb (Hey--that's March's line!). After early-month blizzards in North Dakota, South Dakota, even Iowa (fer heaven's sake!)_--Duluth records 15" snow, now plus for moisture for year [remember the summer drought?]--there is virtually no snow on the ground through mid-Minnesota until you reach Hill City and southern Itasca Co. Betcha Nov. '98 comes in as one of the top-ten warm Novembers on record.
12/1/98
With a low 28° and high humidity, lots of frost sits on roofs, walkways, and vehicles.
12/1/98
Whoa, Nellie--a warm one in Gopher-ville! The Twin Cities set an all-time record of 68° (for the whole month of December!). Records also fall in St. Cloud and Rochester, as well as Eau Claire and LaCrosse, Wisconsin. In fact, the Weather Channel logs over 3 pages of records throughout the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. So where is La Nina?
12/1/98
Barred owl calls in the near full moonlight.
12/1/98
A snowshoe hare was spotted in full winter white trying to hide in December 1999 (1998?) winter brown.
12/2/98
Weather conditions force cross country skiing off the schedule with archery as the replacement.
12/8/9
The orienteering class startles a grouse in the woods by the dining hall. Unfortunately, it flies into the dining hall wall and kills itself.
12/9/98
Red-tailed hawk seen by Hwy 169 in a.m.
12/9/98
Three magpies were seen feeding on a roadkill deer 2 miles from LLCC.
12/10/98
Evening grossbeak on top of tree near bog trail.
12/10/98
It's official-Long Lake finally covered with ice...but it's real thin!
12/10/98
Kids saw a doe and 3 young near the bog; Pine marten seen at 6:45 a.m. on the LLCC road; the kids on a nigh hike, sitting in the archery field, saw northern lights and lots of falling stars.
12/11/98
Craig's "Deer Browse" class saw an eagle; an owl flew out of a thicket.
12/12/98
Raccoon seen on Lake Trail right outside room 26. Bill tried to talk to it but was snubbed. The raccoon just walked away.
12/13/98
Flying squirrel in room 26. Was caught and released after it got its picture taken.
12/12-14
Gemminids were spectacular. About 1.3/min. Many were long and bright.
12/12/98
Fisherman were seen braving the ice on Turner Lake.
12/15-16
Bob S. saw "bunches" of rough-legged hawks in a bog south of McGregor. Great Grey Owl flew next to his vehicle.
12/16/98
Large pileated woodpecker at suet feeder in Northern Aitkin County at Chris's house.
12/16/98
Two eagles on the edge of Leil Lake by open water on Morrison Brook #Hwy 169--Hill City.
12/17/98
Flock of evening grossbeak on sumac trees north side of road near archery field (Bill).
12/18/98
Snow at last! LLCC receives 4."
 
12/19/98
First real cold of "winter." Thermometer nudges 0°F.
12/19/98
Brr!--it's cold. In Crosby, Serpent Lake and the deep mine pit lakes remain partially open and are really steaming in the 0° temperatures. Some "brave" (dare I say idiotic?!) fisherpeople are fishing on the frozen areas of these lakes.
12/19/98
Tara plugs car in for the first time this year as temperatures fall below 0°.
12/20/98
Lovely snowy day. LLCC picks up 2" of fluffy, white powder.
12/21/98
It's going to be a cold one! -2° F as of 6:00 p.m.
12/21/98
The Holidazzle parade in the Twin Cities is canceled because of extremely cold temps and windchill.
12/22/98
What a shock to the system. After a long and warm fall, the temperatures plunge to nearly -20° in the area.
12/22/98
-17°F is LLCC's overnight low. Embarrass, Minnesota -28°!
12/22/98
Yesterday, Tara, Jim, and Pam thought the dining hall felt rather chilly. However, they assumed the heat had just been turned down for the holidays. Today, Bob S. realized the heating system was not been working--after the dining hall temp fell to 54°. It may have been broken for a month, but since it was so warm outside no one realized it.
12/23/98
A mature bald eagle was flying over the treetops just outside Deerwood, Minnesota.
12/24/98
Flock of snow buntings near Cty Rd 5 and Hwy 210 intersection.
12/25/98
Christmas dawns crisp, clear & cold. -15°
Long Lake Conservation Center
28952 438th Lane
Palisade, Minnesota 56469
1-800-450-5522

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