Category: In The Wild

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Midwest Nature with our “In the Wild” category, your gateway to exploring the region’s vibrant wildlife and wildflowers! Discover the wonders of Midwest Nature through our comprehensive guides on birds, insects, and waterfowl, perfect for enthusiasts in Wisconsin and beyond.

From spotting cardinals in your yard, to hunting down warblers in Oconto County to identifying monarch butterflies along Upper Michigan trails, our Wildlife section offers tips to deepen your connection to the region’s ecosystems.

Learn about the habits of mallards and herons in our Waterfowl guides, tailored for Midwest adventurers seeking to explore local wetlands.

Dive into the world of wildflowers and foraging with our resources. Our Foraging guides unlock the secrets of Midwest Nature. Teaching you how to safely harvest elderberries, violets, and dandelions for culinary and craft creations. Whether you’re crafting elderberry syrup or identifying edible weeds in Wisconsin’s prairies, our tips inspire sustainable practices. The Identification section helps you recognize native wildflowers like coneflowers and milkweed, enhancing your hikes with knowledge of the Midwest’s flora.

Perfect for nature lovers, hikers, and foragers, This category celebrates Midwest Nature’s diversity. Explore Wisconsin’s trails, from the Mountain Bay Trail to Marinette County waterfalls, and connect with the region’s natural heritage. Our guides offer practical advice, stunning visuals, and local insights to fuel your outdoor adventures. Visit our Ecwid store (Nikkilynndesign) for nature-inspired crafts, and start your journey into Midwest Nature today!

March 21, 2024

In The Wild

April Wildlife Parenthood

As April dawns upon the Wisconsin landscapes, it brings the magic of new life. In this blog post, we dive into the fascinating world of wildlife parenthood, focusing on some iconic animals that give birth...

March 1, 2024

Midwest Insects

Monarch Numbers Are Down By 60%

Each year since the 1993 – 1994 migration the World Wildlife Federation has been collecting data from December through January on the number of hectares of land that migrating monarch butterflies occupy in Mexico. This...

February 27, 2024

Midwest Birds

The American Robin: Wisconsin’s Beloved Songbird

As the snow melts away and the days grow longer, Wisconsin residents eagerly await the cheerful arrival of one of nature’s most iconic heralds of spring: the American Robin: Wisconsin’s beloved songbird (Turdus migratorius). With...

February 26, 2024

Midwest Wildlife

Common Goldeneye

The Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a species of diving duck commonly found in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Here are some key characteristics of the Common Goldeneye ducks:

February 15, 2024

In The Wild

February Is the Border Between Winter and Spring

We are halfway through the shortest month on the calendar and February Is the border between winter and spring. At this point, we know that wildflowers and fellow winged ones will be arriving shortly. Eastern...

February 7, 2024

In The Wild

Nature’s Frozen Spears: Delicate Spike-Like Structures

In the crisp mornings of winter, when the world is blanketed in a glistening coat of frost, nature often reveals one of its most captivating spectacles: frost spikes. These delicate, spike-like structures that adorn plants...

January 29, 2024

Midwest Birds

3 Cool Facts About Wild Turkey

3 cool facts about wild turkey, do you know all three? Three Cool Facts About Wild Turkey 1.) They Have Nictitating Membranes A nictitating membrane is a transparent or translucent third eyelid present in some...

March 24, 2023

In The Wild

March Phenology

Days Are Getting Longer March is a month of returning birds, and planting indoor garden seeds. Summer is just around the corner, I can feel it. As winter’s icy grip begins to loosen in Wisconsin,...

January 20, 2023

In The Wild

February Phenology

Holy smokes! It is February 2023 and I have seemed to have misplaced an entire blogging year! Did you wonder where I was hiding? Last January I committed to posting monthly about the seasonal changes...

June 29, 2022

Midwest Birds

Black-capped Chickadee

The black-capped chickadee might be one of the most recognized birds next to the Red Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Robins. The fluffy little Chickadee comes freely about dwellings even in towns and cities.

January 25, 2022

Midwest Birds

Redhead Duck

The redhead duck (Aythya americana) is a medium-sized diving duck. The duck is about 37 cm (15 in) long with an 84 cm (33 in) wingspan. The duck is a summer resident of Wisconsin.

In The Wild

January Phenology

Well, Happy New Year! Hope you are settling into your new year. January 2022 – It’s cold! But, did we expect anything less from the Wisconsin winter? Welcome to the phenology posts. The posts will...

November 13, 2020

In The Wild

Moose Maple Keys

What are moose maple keys? You’re thinking it is a place, right? Nah. It is a bush-like shrub or tree that produces moose maple keys that attract wildlife.

August 25, 2020

Midwest Birds

Interesting Facts About Hummingbirds

Love hummingbirds? So do I! Here are some interesting facts about hummingbirds you may not know.

August 1, 2019

In The Wild

Understanding Dogwood Leaf Galls

In the world of plants, peculiar growths or abnormalities often catch our attention. One such phenomenon is the occurrence of leaf galls on dogwood trees. These abnormal growths, caused by a tiny fly called Parallelodiplosis...