A Sappy Story
As we head towards our 30th annual Maple Syrup Festival this weekend, we take a look back at the very first sugarmaker at the Nature Center – Director Rich Patterson’s father-in-law, Leslie Fellows. The Fellows…
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Birdie…birdie…birdie
I listen every day to hear the cardinal change from his sharp, winter “CHIRP” to the more lyrical “birdie…birdie…birdie”. Then I know spring is here. Jean needs your help with a bird count at the…
Read MoreHow I got to know Indian Creek
Chris Emery recently joined us as an intern from Mt. Mercy University. These are his thoughts after his first week…. Chris captures the Otis bridge on a foggy day Growing up in Cedar Rapids, I…
Read MoreJenny Gets Squirrely
Naturalist Jennifer Rupp is amused and inspired watching squirrels outside her window… Photo by Duane Cooley As I sit down to write this post, one common mammal is on my mind. Currently there is one…
Read MoreThe Usual Suspects–Part 2
Jean continues to update us on visitors to the mystery burrow….. After watching the deer walk around the tree, and the rabbit run out of the brush pile, it occurred to us that we might…
Read MoreHappy Birthday to US!
An important message from Rich… On this day, January 18, 40 years ago the Indian Creek Nature Center was legally founded as a private nonprofit corporation-Iowa’s first nature center. Hundreds of people over the past…
Read MoreThe Usual Suspects
Jean updates us on our mysterious burrows… One of our mystery burrows We set out with a trail cam to find who had been digging these significant holes midwinter. From the look of it, they…
Read MoreOtters Spotted on Slippery Slide!
Jan took a group of snowshoers on a hike last week and spotted something unexpected! Here’s here report: This looks like fun! Rivers otters, playful creatures that they are, have take advantage of recent snow…
Read MoreAnd This is Why…
As a follow-up to our Friday blog, here’s a photo of land steward, Jean Wiedenheft, STANDING in the hollow center of the old oak we took down on Friday. What do they say about one…
Read MoreLosing a Member of the Family
Click photo for larger image This morning, we lose an old friend – a heritage white oak tree that probably sprouted during the Civil War. Rich estimates that it’s at least 50,000 days old and…
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