01 Sep, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
Two wild hatched whooping cranes flapped their wings and fledged from their homes in Central Wisconsin. The birds, one from the Necedah Wildlife Refuge and the second from southern Wood county are the first two successful wild hatched birds to fledge in decades. Whooping Cranes where almost to the point of extinction in the 1940′s.
More from the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership via the Chicago Sun-Times:
The chicks, #W1-10 and #W3-10 (W = wild hatched) were both observed flying with their parents this weekend. Number W1-10 is located on the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in central Wisconsin, and #W3-10 is on private property in Wood County, Wisconsin.
Seven chicks initially hatched this year in the wild, the largest number to hatch in WCEP project history. Wild-hatched chicks face a precarious existence in the first weeks of their lives, and natural loss of chicks due to predation is common. The survival rate for WCEP with these two chicks is within the range of survival rates for wild sandhill crane chicks in south-central Wisconsin currently being studied by the International Crane Foundation.
The two wild whooping crane chicks are the result of renesting. Earlier this spring, nine breeding pairs of whooping cranes built nests and laid eggs, but all nine pairs abandoned those first nests. The nest abandonments earlier this spring are similar to what has been observed in previous years. WCEP is investigating the cause of the abandonments through analysis of data collected throughout the nesting period on crane behavior and black fly abundance and distribution.
31 Aug, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
According to AAA Wisconsin, there will be a 10% increase in traffic overall this Labor Day weekend. More than 734,000 people, or 13% of the state’s residents, are expected to travel. This is up 11% from 2009 and a 10% increase over the nationwide average.
“We ask that people take enough time to get to where they need to go and get there safely,” said Beth Mosher, spokeswoman for AAA Wisconsin, which has been reporting travel trends for more than 20 years. “It may mean leaving earlier or at different times of the day when roads may not be as congested.”
The busiest travel days will be Thursday, Friday and Monday, Mosher said
As usually is the case for holiday weekends, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will stop construction in work zones in order to expedite the increased flow of traffic. But the work zones and lane restrictions will still be active. Drivers need to slow down to the posted speeds and travel safely through the work zones. The DOT has an interactive travel information site that will give you up to the minute traffic and travel conditions. You can also receive travel information on your phone by dialing 511.
Greta and I were treated to an amazing weekend at Treehaven this last week. We were given a gift certificate to Becoming an Outdoors Woman Summer Workshop- something new to both of us. We both enjoy the outdoors and are often found camping, hiking, biking, gardening and such. We had no idea what to expect, but we signed up for our workshops and waited for August to come round.
It was hard to narrow our choices down to just four with such a wide range of cool topics: fly fishing, sewing with fur, shotgun, black powder, archery, wildlife habitat, birding, map reading, and wild game preserving to name just a few. We finally settled on a few- canoeing, kayaking and survival we took together. Greta included chainsaw safety and I threw in boat and trailer.
Each class gave us the opportunity to not only learn in a classroom, but to learn hands on. We kayaked for a couple of hours, paddled our own canoe (and were given a HUGE helping hand when the wind and stumps almost won!), and built a shelter and fire with our group when we were “lost.” Greta donned all the appropriate safety gear and set to making toothpicks out of trees with her new found knowledge of using a chainsaw.
I was given the use of a beautiful bass boat on a trailer and truck to conquer one of my greatest fears. I learned the art of backing up a trailer into a boat launch. I was petrified as it came to be my turn, I was going to just watch and go with that. But I learned as I was waiting my turn that almost everyone has very little idea about how to get a trailer to actually go where it needs to be. With the encouragement of my fellow classmates, the gentle (and unbelievably patient) guidance of the instructor, and unlimited tries… I put the trailer and boat right smack down the middle of the launch! And I now know I can do it again when needed.
But there was more than the workshops- there was also the evening campfires with live music, the night hike and wolf howl and, of course, lots of great food. For next year I am definitely saving up for all the cool stuff at the silent auction and raffles.
Greta and I came home completely exhausted and exhilarated. We had way too much fun, ate way too much (not to mention the large amount of hot cocoa), learned some great new skills and even conquered some fears along the way.
30 Aug, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
Photo Courtesy WI DNR
Deer population numbers, especially in the northwoods, have always been a contentious issue between sportsmen and the DNR. Since 1960, the DNR has been responsible for keeping tabs on the number of deer in the State’s herd. Their estimates, based on a formula that takes into account previous year’s kills, doe to fawn ratios, and doe to buck ratio will now be augmented by a citizen’s count. During the month’s of August and September the DNR is asking residents to count and record the number of deer that they see. Dubbed ‘Operation Deer Watch’ the results can be logged at the DNR’s Wisconsin Online Wildife Survey site.
Direct observations from the field provide important information for deer managers, especially in northern and central forest deer management units (DMU) where harsh winter weather can have a much greater impact on fawn production the following spring.
Local hunters are concerned that if they participate in the count, they might inflate population estimates by “double counting,” Brian Habeck of Weston said. Habeck hunts in the same area near Rosholt as five other men.”So if we’re all reporting two deer, it becomes 12?” he said. “I know they use a formula, but it still seems out of whack to me.”
Still, using direct observation of deer counts along with other traditional methods of estimating the deer herd size should result in a more accurate size of the deer population in the state. The DNR believes that the more data they have for their estimates, the better.
Bagpipers on parade is all good and well; but if you want a really good time watching men in skirts, head on over to the Waukesha Expo Center this weekend for the Wisconsin Highland Games. At least a dozen bagpipe bands will be competing at the event, but the big draw this weekend is the athletic competitions. From the Wisconsin State Journal:
In addition to the bagpipers, one of the biggest draws of the festival that celebrates Scottish heritage is the Heavy Athletics, Houlehen said. That includes activities like the standing stone put, the Scottish hammer throw and the caber turn, and features professionals who can earn prize money in the competitions.
“We attract some of the best athletes from North America and sometimes from Europe,” Houlehen said.
Visitors to the festival can watch professionals compete in Heavy Athletics and also get a hands-on taste of other activities, Houlehen said.
27 Aug, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
Wausau Farmer's Market
I’m a big fan of the farmer’s market. The Wausau area has the benefit of three farmer’s markets; all of which operate on different days. Late August is my favorite time to hit the market, most everything is in season and you have the biggest variety of produce to choose from. The market this past week was absolutely fragrant with the smell freshly cut basil and dill. Plus the tomatoes are in and I needed a bushel for a batch of tomato sauce.
In our continuing series combining maps and sustainable agriculture, Wisconsin’s Farm Fresh Atlas is worth searching out. The atlases are a set of regional food guides that include farms, farmers’ markets, restaurants, stores and other businesses that sell local food and use sustainable production and business practices.
The Farm Fresh Atlas began in 2002 in the Southern Wisconsin region as a project of REAP Food Group. The idea took off, and there are now five regional Farm Fresh Atlases in Wisconsin putting sustainable farms, farmers’ markets and local businesses and organizations that promote local food “on the map.”
Most of the atlases are only available as printed guides available at your local cooperative, whole food store, or farmers market. The Farm Fresh Atlas of Southeast Wisconsin is now available online for viewing or printing.
These atlases are great guides to help you buy local and support your local farmers and community. Knowing where your food comes from and supporting local agriculture are two steps in living a more healthy and sustainable life. Plus sustainable agriculture is better for the envirnonment as it reduces the amount of travel it takes for produce to reach the table.
Another great guide to help buy local is the Seasonal Availability of Wisconsin Produce guide. This handy guide will let you know what to look for and what’s in season at your local farmer’s market.
26 Aug, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
Threshing Machines at the Edgar Gas and Steam Engine Show
Keep those festival tweets and and emails coming. Here is the list of festivals that we have gathered for this coming weekend, August 27 – 29, 2010. If you want to see your festival listed on our weekly list, please click on the contact button at the top of the page and leave us a message. Or you can send your tweets to @backroadwi on twitter.com.
26 Aug, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
The statewide smoking ban is almost two months old. The big question is how are the bars and taverns in the state faring after the law took effect. Andrew Wagner of OnMilwaukee asked that question to area taverns and got the following response:
Smokers have had little problem popping outside for a puff during the warm-weather months, but what will happen come winter, when temperatures plummet and most of the city’s outdoor patios are closed.
“That’s what I’m most interested to see,” says Eitel. “I think it’s going to have a lot of people looking at expenses like heaters and outside smoking areas to keep customers.”
Wisconsin Tavern League President Rob Swearingen says that a large percentage of calls from members involve what they can do to build outdoor structures.
25 Aug, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
Widmer's Cheese Cellars in Theresa. Where else can you buy cheese while getting this close to the cheese vats
The late August harvest season has foodies in full swing with the bounties of the garden hitting the table at an alarming rate. Being the dairy state, we have more opportunities than most people to get out, take a day trip, and get closer to our food sources. Karen Herzog of the MIlwaukee Journal Sentinel put together a great list of ideas for a food trip this weekend. My favorite: visiting a cheese factory.
If you’re looking for a day trip, Henning’s Wisconsin Cheese in rural Kiel (www.henningscheese.com) is purported to be the last cheese factory in the United States that makes mammoth wheels of cheddar (150 to 12,000 pounds). The fourth-generation family-owned cheese factory makes award-winning cheddar and Colby, along with other cheeses.
The best time to go is between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m., when you can watch cheese being made through a viewing window. A four-minute video explains the process. If you’re lucky, co-owner Kurt Henning will be there to answer questions and take you in the cooler to get up close to the mammoth cheddars. Free wine and cheese samples are available.
At Widmer’s Cheese Cellars in Theresa (www.widmerscheese.com), another day-trip destination, you can get within 15 to 20 feet of the cheese vats, watch a video of how cheese is made, sample the cheese and ask questions.
I remember, as a kid, when we would take a drive to the local cheese factory for some curds and maybe a small block of cheddar. Back then the cheese plants didn’t have the fancy gift shops and viewing windows. You went into the place and walked among the vats to the cooler to get some cheese. The cheesemaker would then scoop the hot curds out the vat into a baggie, sometimes throwing one to you to nibble. Most of the little cheese factories have closed up, but Widmer’s in Theresa is the closest thing to those memories I have found.
As for my foodie adventure, I’m on my way to the farmer’s market this morning to pick up some tomatoes to supplement the ones we’ve grown in our garden for tomato sauce. More on that later.
24 Aug, 2010 | Author: Michael Martens | No Comments »
Image Courtesy of Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival
This weekend, August 27-28 is the 9th annual Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival. Located in Superior, WI at Barker’s Island, the festival is one of the few dragon boats races in the United States. This festival, organized by the Superior and Harbortown Rotary clubs features over 80 teams that will compete in the dragon boat races.
A dragon boat features a large wooden carved dragon on the bow and consists of a team of 20 paddlers, one drummer, and a steerer. The boats and races themselves originated in Ancient China, although the Lake Superior races have been around since 2002.
It may be too late to put together a team for this year’s race, but this weekend’s festival on Barker Island and the Superior Bay is a fun filled event with races, entertainment, and live music throughout the weekend. For an offbeat adventure and some exciting amateur races, I highly recommend taking a drive up to Superior for this year’s event.
