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Science and Nature
Custom graphic of vibrant colors and John Latimer looking at a plant.
Phenology with John Latimer

Poopers, ploppers, hitchhikers and helicopters: Kids talk seed dispersal

By Charlie Mitchell
Published August 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM CDT
Tussock cottongrass seeds grow in a bog. The image shows a closeup of a cottongrass seed head, with many tiny white plumules. The background is blurry, but other seedheads are visible.
Contributed
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Photo by iNaturalist user krisskinou
Tussock cottongrass seeds grow in a bog.

During the week of Aug. 18, 2026, we enjoy reports of exploding seeds, hopping frogs and red pine cones. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.

Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids

Sugar Lake Lodge phenology talkback: Aug. 18, 2026

Roots and Wings Forest School in New York Mills

Roots and Wings Forest School phenology talkback: Aug. 18, 2026

Saara in northeast Minnesota

Saara phenology talkback: Aug. 18, 2026

What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.

For more phenology, subscribe to our Season Watch Newsletter and podcast or visit the Season Watch Facebook page.

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Phenology with John Latimer PhenologyKAXE Morning ShowKAXEPhenology TalkbacksSummer phenology
Charlie Mitchell
Charlie Mitchell (she/they) joined KAXE in February of 2022. Charlie creates the Season Watch Newsletter, produces the Phenology Talkbacks show, coordinates the Phenology in the Classroom program, and writes nature-related stories for KAXE's website. Essentailly, Charlie is John Latimer's faithful sidekick and makes sure all of KAXE's nature/phenology programs find a second life online and in podcast form.<br/><br/><br/>With a background in ecology and evolutionary biology, Charlie enjoys learning a little bit about everything, whether it's plants, mushrooms, or the star-nosed mole. (Fun fact: Moles store fat in their tails, so they don't outgrow their tunnels every time conditions are good.)
See stories by Charlie Mitchell
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