This past weekend we have been paying for the mild winter. I don’t want to say that I told you so, but I kind of did mention that in my last couple of columns. In Minnesota we always have a weather surprise waiting for us just around the corner. It looks like March is going out like a lion, just like the old saying suggests.
This morning while sitting at the breakfast table, I spotted the neighborhood cardinal in the pine tree next door. This made me curious about the lifespan of this particular bird. To my surprise, the average life span of this beautiful bird is 15 years. The population of these birds have expanded as far north as Canada; these birds do not migrate, which may be attributed to more winter bird feeders, the abundance of bird feeders in the winter and their ability to adapt to human habitat and the many parks that we have, especially in Minnesota.
The male is the colorful red one but the female, although brown, is also incredibly beautiful. The male is aggressive when protecting its own territory and that explains why they will fly at a window; it is because they see an image of themselves in the window.
I enjoy watching the birds at my feeders. Unfortunately, they have been taken over by starlings and blackbirds, which consistently ravage my feeders, especially suet feeders, and chase the other birds away. Somehow, I seem to have been blessed with the ugly birds rather than the beautiful ones. The woodpeckers of my neighborhood still frequent my suet feeders and I enjoy watching them. We have three different species of them visiting. The downy, the hairy, and the red breasted woodpeckers all visit the feeder.
I am looking forward to visiting our local State Park this spring to check out the variety of wildlife that can be seen on any given day. We in Minnesota have a total of 76 state parks, give or take one or two.
Free State Park Days:
On four days each year, all Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone - no vehicle permits needed!
Here are the fee-free dates in 2024:
Monday, January 15, 2024, which is long gone, Saturday, April 27, 2024, Saturday, June 8, 2024, Friday, November 29, 2024.
Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there is a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a free day in each season, it is a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new, or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you will make memories that will last a lifetime.
The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities like camping, rentals, or special tours.
The goal is to encourage families to spend time together with a walk outdoors. Research shows that walking offers multiple benefits, from increased creativity and better brain function to more flexibility and stamina. So you will not just burn calories, you'll also improve your well-being.
Until next time: Now that we have our backs all limbered up from shoveling, we can get back to thinking spring and warmer weather. Next Sunday is Easter, so it is a good time to remember what this celebration is all about.
Please show your support for our troops who are deployed. These service men and women are making that sacrifice, so that we may have the many freedoms that we enjoy today.