Author Archives: Jennifer Vieth

Today is one of those beautiful fall days that almost everyone enjoys.  The morning started out with a thin layer of ice on the bird feeders, then there was ‘pea soup’ thick fog along the river valley (in fact I could … Continue reading →

We were fortunate to host the Fall Raptor Release at Carpenter Nature Center again this year. On Saturday the 25th about 2,000 people watched rehabilitated birds of prey get returned to the wild at Carpenter Nature Center. I’ve been part … Continue reading →

About 6 months ago I started submitting a monthly article called Nature Notes to the Hastings Star Gazette. The article covered the month’s phenology (seasonal observations) and a few of the natural areas in our city worth exploring. Today we will … Continue reading →

It seems fitting to talk about color this month. While spring is aglow with verdant greens and winter features brilliant white snow, no season can equal the cornucopia of color that fall brings. Take a stroll along the many hiking … Continue reading →

August in the river valley means crisp apples, migrating birds, less extreme heat and one of the best seasons to get out and enjoy nature. A ‘river of birds’ is now working its way down the Mississippi flyway and it is … Continue reading →

A quick look out your window this month will yield views of birds showing their youngsters how to forage. Just yesterday a whole chickadee family of six was at my backyard bird feeder, the young preferring to beg for food … Continue reading →

It’s baby time! From the tiniest toad tadpoles to the adult-sized Bald Eagle chicks, animal babies abound in our area during June. Bird species usually time their nesting to coincide with an abundance of food. While owls were nesting as … Continue reading →

The Timberdoodles are BACK! After spending the winter in the southern United States, these creatures have migrated back to set up breeding territories right here in Hastings. You may actually know this animal by its common name, the American Woodcock. … Continue reading →

As the snow pack begins to melt here at Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center we are seeing many signs of spring. One of the earliest indicators that Old Man Winter is finally losing his grip is the tiny Black-capped … Continue reading →