Long Lake Conservation Center near Palisade
This report is brought to you by Helen, Bella, Macy and the campers from Astronomy Camp at Long Lake from July 31 - August 3, 2026.
“During Astronomy Camp at Long Lake Conservation Center from July 31-Aug. 3, the temps were a pleasant high of 83 degrees with a low of 54.
“Some haze from the wildfires blew in, turning the waxing gibbous moon a brilliant red. It didn’t help stargazing, but it sure was beautiful. Other extra-terrestrial sightings included clear views of the Milky Way, the Big and Little Dipper, Cassiopea, Orion, a double star, and sun spots we saw through a hydrogen alpha solar telescope.
“Through the Minnesota Astronomical Society’s 25- and 30-inch Dobsonian telescopes, we saw the Lagoon Nebula, Ring Nebula, Dumbbell Nebula, Swan Nebula, the Whirlpool Galaxy and the Hercules Cluster. Thanks to the Minnesota Astronomical Society for sharing the universe with us.
“In terrestrial sightings, we saw a large adult snapping turtle in the lake, and enjoyed hearing the loons calling at night. We saw a cicada, Downy Woodpecker, woodchuck, chipmunks, dragonflies, a garter snake, a bumblebee asleep on a flower, a tiny frog, a katydid, and a hummingbird moth. We also saw a fawn and a doe. The fawn was about a third the size of the doe and still had clearly visible spots.
“We had a great week of camp and we want to remind everyone to unplug, get outside, LOOK UP, and LIVE CONNECTED!”
Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids
Listener talkbacks
What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.
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Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThe Department of Natural Resources reported forest tent caterpillars have damaged the leaves of 60,000 acres of foliage around Aitkin County in 2026. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEBoundary Waters entry points near Big Moose Lake and Big Lake are also scheduled to reopen on Aug. 13, 2026. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesFor Minnesota youths, leaders in charge of combating invasive species in lakes said the work can be a career training game changer.
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Contributed/Minnesota DNRThe annual art contest highlights the stamps’ revenue generation, supporting fisheries management, habitat and stocking efforts in Minnesota lakes. -
Emma Krab/KAXEThe University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute, or NRRI, launched a new simulator to test innovations in iron refining July 27, 2026, in Coleraine. -
Warm water temperatures across the state go along with an increasing number of fish mortality events, where a large number of fish die at once.
