Your window to nature.

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Winter is a Time for Rest

ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” (1880s) Ralph Waldo Emerson Winter is a time for rest. Trees rest. Critters rest. We rest. As the days grow shorter and nights grow colder, we layer up with wool, fleece and down. We eat comfort foods cooked in the crock pot and we drink hot tea…

winter water

Winter Water

Want to attract more birds to your yard this winter? Supply a source of open water! When temperatures drop, birds are in a constant struggle to maintain their body temperatures. A steady source of fats and proteins will help to nourish and fuel birds’ metabolic needs and keep them warm. But also important—a source of water that is accessible (i.e.…

New Year. New Start. New Paradigm.

ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land. –Aldo Leopold Thirty-five years ago, after a major health scare, my perspective shifted. I became more focused on big picture stuff. You know… why are we here? What can I do to make a difference?…

Go Big or Go Home: Attracting Flickers, Grosbeaks and Titmice

Go Big or Go Home: Attracting Grosbeaks, Flickers and Titmice

We Minnesotans are so fortunate to live in a state rich in natural resources, wildlife diversity, and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. The prairies of the west, the pines of the north, and the hardwoods of the south provide ideal habitat for so many bird species. Many of our favorite birds overwinter in Minnesota, leaving our northern forests for better habitat conditions…

Ann's Window to Nature: A Sense of Place

A Sense of Place

ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE What do we mean by the phrase “a sense of place?” To me, a sense of place suggests an emotional bond or a tangible connection to a place. We can see it. We can feel it. We know it well. We hold it dear. We feel safe. We feel nurtured. When I think about a place…

Ann's Window to Nature: Gifts from Nature; sundog photo by Ann McCarthy

Gifts from Nature

ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE On a cold winter’s day, there’s nothing more beautiful than a cardinal perched on pine bough heavy with snow. It’s almost as if nature has given you a gift. Gifts from nature come regularly to those who feed the birds: woodpeckers on suet, jays on peanuts, and finches on Nyjer®. We delight in watching juncos peck…