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ANN”S WINDOW TO NATURE According to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, upwards of 1/3 of all US adults are participating in some kind of recreational activity or hobby related to birds and nature. As scientists have revealed, bird feeding and birdwatching brings nature to into our daily lives, and with it all the many benefits to physical, and mental health…
Ann’s Window To Nature Over the past few years, more and more of our beloved customers have been impacted by cancer. Men. Women. Young. Old. They come in wearing ball caps, scarves, turbans, and beanies. They are a little slower, a little thinner, and a little unsteady but they brighten a bit and smile while sharing bird stories and sightings.…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE Those of us who feed the birds are part of a long and rich tradition. Someone introduced us to birds, bird watching, and bird feeding. Maybe it was intentional. Maybe it was by accident. Either way, we count ourselves fortunate to be part of an amazing group of people dedicated to birds and nature reaching back…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE Connecting with nature can be done indoors. Yep. Consider watching the birds from your window or reading a book on bird behavior. In fact, we can readily connect with nature in many ways. Consider sketching, painting, journaling, photography, and even games and puzzles. When it’s wet and cold outside consider setting up a family puzzle table. We…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE The “dog days of summer” are here and the kids are “BORED!” How about a fun, inexpensive, outdoor activity? Break up the day by getting them outside for bit of sunshine, and fresh air each day. They will benefit greatly from a change in scenery and time away from screens. Set up a bird feeding…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE By Eagan Store Manager ANN MCCARTHY The phrase, “the good ol’ days,” means something different to everyone, and depends largely on age. To me as a 60+ year-old woman, the good ol’ days were wistful, carefree days spent outside. I remember birds, butterflies, bees, and fireflies. I remember diggin’ in the dirt looking for worms, catching…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE Social media. Politics. Aging. Covid. Disability. Geography. Economic factors. For whatever reason, loneliness is on the rise nationwide according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murty in a recent NPR Morning Edition interview. Loneliness can impact mental health resulting in depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideology. Loneliness can also impact physical health resulting in obesity, a…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE Twice each year, many of our favorite songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl species migrate between breeding grounds and wintering grounds. Peak spring migration for Minnesota is May 1 through May 15, but it can start as early as March for some species. Fall migration generally begins mid-August and lasts through mid-November. Upwards of 80% of migratory birds…
Ann’s Window to Nature The Bad News ~ Ongoing habitat loss and decay continue to devastate wildlife and wildlands nationwide. In fact, in North America alone, we have lost roughly 3 billion songbirds in the last 50 years. The Good News~ We can make a difference in our own backyards with minimal effort and at very little cost. The State…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE It’s a beautiful day. Everything seems a little bit brighter now that our days are growing longer, and our temps are warming. There’s a feeling of “we made it through another Minnesota winter. How did our ancestors do it?” I couldn’t live in a region that did not have four seasons. As the snowpack melts, little…
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?…
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 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…
ANN’S WINDOW TO NATURE Whether urban, suburban, or rural we all have a sense of place, but our feeling of community lies far beyond geographic boundaries. Community is defined as a group of people who have something in common such as heritage, ethnicity, or interests. A true community provides an emotional connection and a sense of belonging. As manager of…
