Phenology Talkbacks

Two black bears sit in the middle of a road in Grand Marais. Some trees in the background are bare, and others have bright yellow or orange leaves.

Phenology Talkbacks: Student phenologist spots four-bear parade in Little Falls

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

A classroom blackboard is covered in illustrations showing shaggy mane mushrooms, a Canada thistle, a blue-spotted salamander, and a giant water bug.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: Students investigate insects, monitor migrations

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

Over 10 orange-and-black butterflies perch on a small oak sapling.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: Monarchs on the move

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

Seven young students sit on a bridge over a wide creek with their feet dangling over the edge.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: Students spot crepuscular critters

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

Two adult monarch butterflies perch on the top of a mesh enclosure.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: Students report on bryozoans and butterflies

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

Dill Prickles, Long Lake Conservation Center's favorite porcupine, snacks on summer greens. He is covered in light tan quills. He is sitting on his haunches and using his tail for balance. His front paws are filled with plants.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: When will Dill Prickles the porcupine return?

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

A shallow loon nest constructed of mud and vegetation lies in the shade of green plants. Inside the nest is the broken shell of a hatched egg and one intact egg. The whole egg is brown with darker brown spots, and has a small hole in its side. The tiny, pointed bill of a pipping loon chick shows through the small hole.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: Loon chicks must learn to fly before ice-in

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

Glass storage tubes holding live captured bees are held up in front of a blooming meadow.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: Long Lake Conservation Center documents bumblebees

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.

Ghost pipes grow from among sedges in St. Louis County on August 7, 2024. They are ghostly white in color with a thin, straight stalk and a flower that nods downward.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: Summer campers gaze at galaxies and ghost pipes

Charlie Mitchell

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover Minnesota's wildflowers, weather conditions, or fascinating encounters with local wildlife.This is the week of Aug. 13, 2024.

A red headed woodpecker feeds its baby near Palisade, Minnesota in 2024.

Science and Nature

Phenology Talkbacks: What's for breakfast? Garter snakes eating toads and a busy squirrel eating a pancake

Heidi Holtan

Students and listeners from across the state send in their nature reports. Depending on the season, reports may cover wildflowers, animal behaviors, weather patterns and other wonders.