2024 or 2012: Déjà Vu at Devil’s Lake?
I've been thinking about how much 2024 is feeling like the infamous drought year, 2012 so far. But I also know that we humans have a way of connecting dots in ways that are not always factual. So, I decided…
Where Does The Water Go?
What are some of the common myths or misunderstandings you've heard about Devil's Lake State Park? There are quite a few! One that came up recently is the idea that Devil's Lake has some form of NATURAL underwater drainage. So,…
Rethinking Our Pines
We all know that planting trees benefits our environment...usually. Looking back, Wisconsin was the nation's top timber producer between 1890-1899. By the 1920s, logging had decimated Wisconsin’s seemingly endless forests. Reforestation efforts ramped up in the 1930s and 40s. In…
That Little Blue Flower
What is that blue flower lining some of the roads around Devil's Lake State Park right now? It's chicory! Chicory is native to Eurasia and was brought to America by settlers in the 1700s, originally for medicinal purposes. During the…
Pollen on the Water
Let's "clear up" a little concern before the weekend! If you have noticed yellow-green dust blanketing the surface of Devil's Lake recently, don't worry, it's not algae. It's just a sign that our local pine & willow trees are in…
Pileated Woodpeckers: Nature’s Tree Carvers
If you've ever hiked through Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin, you may have heard the distinctive drumming sound of a Pileated Woodpecker. The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in North America. At about 16-19 inches in length,…
Improve Your View of Nature
When we look around us or take in an amazing vista, or even look down at our feet while standing on one of Devil's Lake State Parks many overlooks... Are we seeing nature? Well, sure. There are trees and plants…
How’s Your Plant ID Skills?
Below we've posted photos of a dozen plants you'll see right now out on Devil's Lake State Park's Steinke Basin Trail, featuring their flowers, berries, and seeds. How many can you name? Extra points if you can ID that green/orange…
The Scent of the Snow
Recently around the house, we've been talking about forest bathing. Growing scientific evidence is showing that there are many benefits both physically and psychologically to immersing yourself in nature. (See the articles listed below.) To get the benefits of forest…
Where Have All The Beaver Gone?
May was American Wetland Month. That got me thinking about the wetlands within Devil’s Lake State Park and how they’ve changed or disappeared just since I started this website some 21 years ago. When thinking about the park’s wetlands I…