Tuesday Morning Show

Vibrant bigtooth aspen leaves lie on the ground in Cook County on Sept. 27, 2025.

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 21, Staff Phenologist John Latimer covers a vibrant year for aspens, describes downy arrowwood, and flocks of blackbirds.

A big ol' brown bug lies dead on a bleacher near the Twin Cities in October, 2025.

Science and Nature

Which native insect loves football?

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of Oct. 21, 2025, we enjoy reports of hooting Barred Owls, snoozy bears and star-struck stadium bugs. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.

Light shines through mist, barely reaching a hilly shoreline next to a huge, blue lake.

Science and Nature

Staff Phenologist John Latimer noses around the North Shore

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 14, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer explores the North Shore near Grand Marais.

Frost covers a leaf in Aitkin County. The leaf is still green, and the edges are rimmed in a thin layer of white frost. The rest of the image is not in focus.

Science and Nature

2025's first frost arrives with little warning, surprises some students

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of Oct. 14, 2025, we enjoy reports of the first frost, migrating monarchs, and milkweed pods opening. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.

A flock of Snow Buntings flies up from a roadside in Itasca County. They have black and white markings, and there are about fifty birds in the flock.

Science and Nature

Do you know what to expect in October? Latimer previews the month in nature

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 7, Staff Phenologist John Latimer covers the next month in nature, development of fall colors, and migratory dragonflies.

John Latimer, Michelle Martin, and about 20 elementary school students stand near a field and forest.

Science and Nature

'It’s amazing how much you see when you slow down,' students remark

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of Oct. 7, 2025, we enjoy reports of giant puffball mushrooms and the season's first frost. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.

A plain brown mushroom cap is shown: long, white hair-like spikes grow from it in all directions.

Science and Nature

Phenology coordinator flummoxed by furry fungus

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 30, 2025, Charlie Mitchell, KAXE phenology coordinator, discusses the BirdCast website, fungi and fall colors.

A herd of woodland caribou stand in northern Ontario on July 19, 2016.

Science and Nature

Minnesota's history of the since-departed woodland caribou

Bill Berg, retired wildlife biologist, discusses the history of woodland caribou, which once roamed through northern Minnesota. The "Elk and Caribou in MN" series is produced by Mark Jacobs.

The Pagami Creek Fire burned about 93,000 acres in the Boundary Waters Wilderness east of Ely.

Science and Nature

Fire in MN Forests: The role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Ben Benoit from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe discusses the role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in fire mitigation. The "Fires in MN Forests" series is produced by Mark Jacobs.

A Dark-eyed Junco shows off its white tail edges in flight. Its body is mostly grey, with a dark head cap and dark center of the tail.

Science and Nature

Students 'catch' birds using Merlin Bird ID app

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of Sept. 30, 2025, we enjoy reports of wandering skunks, diverse fungi, and migrating birds. Phenology Coordinator Charlie Mitchell responds.