Naomi K Shapiro

What to Expect on Northern Lakes in October

January 16, 2012 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

Summer’s over. Days shorten. Harvest’s in. Winds blow. Birds head south. Rains come. Lakes get choppy. . .

The Packers are playing… BUT so are the musky and walleye; and, like the Packers, the musky and walleye “play for keeps”!

Here’s what some local anglers reveal about fishing their “primo” northern fishing areas in October. . .

“I get goose bumps. I’m quivering, as I even THINK about October,” exudes George Langley, Eagle River fishing guru / guide / bait & tackle shop owner (Eagle Sports).

“October is the single best month of the year for musky, both for size and numbers,” Langley notes. “Musky are not just feeding, they’re gorging themselves for winter, and when they hit, it’s big. I mean, you’re going to feel them hit. It’s a thrill that is unmatched with any other gamefish,” Langley says.

Musky will hit jerk baits, crank baits, but most of all they love HUGE, live suckers, he says. “These fish are trying to build up body fat, and the season tells them instinctively to feed as hard and as fast as they can. Big suckers fit their bill of fare perfectly,” Langley says.

“Any lake in the Eagle River area will produce great musky in October,” Langley adds. “Just remember to fish the shallower weed edges to the deep water and you’ll get action.”

Langley also notes that almost every musky caught in the Eagle River area is released.

He goes on to say that walleye fishing is wonderful, too. “Use a 1/4 ounce jig and a big minnow. Nothing fancy. Fish slowly along shallow rocks and shoreline at night, and deep over hard bottom, or gravel, structure, and drop offs during the day. Not only will you get a possible trophy, but lots of anglers end up with limit stringers including 6-pounds-and-up-sized fish!”

Langley laughs and concludes: “In the warmer weather, walleye and musky can be finicky and fickle. But in October, it’s like they take a ‘stupid pill,’ and bite at almost anything tempting that is put out for them.”

[Image: Courtesy of Mike Crowley; available for sale at his website Life in the Northwoods]

Look for Animal Tracks in the Snow

December 12, 2011 by Naomi K Shapiro 1 Comment

Tracks are often well defined in shallow snow, so after examining your own tracks look for those made by other animals that are winter-active in your area. You may only find prints left by neighborhood dogs and cats, but check for those made by birds and, in areas that support these animals, those left by squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and deer, to mention just a few.

Follow any tracks you come across, and try to piece together something about the animal’s activities. You may find evidence of a wild chase, or even a kill, or tracks that lead from a food source to an animal’s den.

Animals that remain active during the colder months basically like to eat the same types of food that are available to them at other times. There are usually far fewer choices, however, and heavy snow-cover makes for difficulties. Some animals are capable of storing fat, which not only sustains them during lean times but keeps them warmer. Other animals continue to need to eat daily (deer and rabbits, for instance, eat all the time!), and where they once ate the fresh leaves of trees and shrubs, they turn to nibbling on buds and soft twigs.

Be on the lookout for the signs left behind by animals that have been foraging for food. Examine the bark torn from tree trunks and branches, as it offers some clues to the presence of animals. (This can be done year-round, of course.) Wild cats, like their domestic counterparts, leave shredded bark on trees, a result of sharpening their claws. Porcupines nibble on patches of bark high up in trees, small toothmarks may even be evident. Freshly nipped buds may mean that deer have feasted recently. You may also come across blood-stained snow, for carnivores need to kill every so often so they can eat to survive.

Many general field guides include diagrams of tracks along with their descriptions of animals.

[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user siskokid]

Plant Dye and Wool Yarn

August 7, 2011 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

Dyeing with natural dyes is fun and easy to do. Wool takes dyes more readily than cotton or other fibers, so why not dye some yarn that you (or your mother) can make into something? Knit up a handsome scarf, or some mittens. Stitch a needlepoint pillow or a wallhanging for your room.

You need to boil up some leaves, bark, or nutshells to extract your dye. In general, you need two pounds of fresh materials, and one pound of nutshells, barks, or berries in order to dye a pound of yarn.

Strain the dye and put it into a large kettle filled with enough water to cover the wool. Your wool should be sitting in a mordant bath, made the previous day from 4 ounces of alum mixed with one ounce of cream of tartar in a kettle of water.

Add your wool and bring it to a boil. Cook for one hour, then let sit overnight.

Add the mordanted wool and place this kettle on the store (have your parents help whenever you use the stove). Poke the wool gently with a spoon as the water gets hot, and the wool takes on the color you want (remember it will be lighter when it’s dry).

Let the wool cool in the kettle. Rinse it with cool water until the rinse water runs clear. Gently squeeze the water from the wool and hang the yarn to dry in a shaded spot. Now get out your knitting needles!

Notes on color: Goldenrod flowers will turn your wool yellow-brown. Bark from a maple tree will yield a rosy-tan dye. Onion skins will dye wool a burnt-orange color.

[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user londonne]

Can Crickets Tell the Temperature?

July 19, 2011 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

Have you ever noticed how crickets chirp more when it’s warm? They are very sensitive to temperature. A scientist named A.E. Dolbear also noticed this and came up with a way to guess the temperature by counting the number of times a cricket chirps in one minute. He based his figures on Snowy Tree Cricket chirps, but you can count the chirps any crickets make. Other crickets are not as reliable, but it’s still fun to do.

Listen carefully, because it’s sometimes hard to tell when one chirp ends and another begins. Use a watch with a second hand, and count how many chirps there are in one minute. Subtract 40 from this number, and divide the answer by four. Add 50 to this figure. This is what the temperature is in degrees Fahrenheit. Check with a thermometer. Does the formula work?

By the way, only male crickets chirp. They rub their wings together, drawing one across the other almost like a bow across a fiddle. Crickets have two songs – – one to attract females, the other to warn off other males. Can you tell the songs apart? Probably not, but the crickets can!

[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user wildlifephotog]

Glorious Range of Spring Activities for All

April 12, 2011 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

Whatever type of travel experience you prefer, you’ll adore northern Wisconsin’s forests, lakes, rivers, meadows and wetlands in the spring and early summer.

That’s when trillium carpet the forest floors, marsh marigolds rest in roadside waters, and columbines nod from rocky settings. That’s when you can pluck wild leeks and other edibles to spark your menu…

That’s when you’ll see and hear loons, eagles, and Great Blue Herons, enjoy the glorious sounds of hundreds of songbirds, and maybe spot a pileated woodpecker.

And, because the trees and plants fill in slowly, the wildlife, not as shy in the early season, are more viewable; and because there are fewer people around, your chances increase to see fawns, or tiny, black bear cubs following mom across a road.

In northern Wisconsin’s thousands of lakes and streams, the fish will have spawned and are hungry. This is a good time to teach yourself or a kid to fish. Dozens of bait shops and fishing guides will happily provide you with information, lessons, maps, and encouragement.

And, while you might need a pair of rubbers in case it’s muddy, the hiking, biking, golf, wildlife watching, and picnicking opportunities will be wonderful — before the bugs come out (except for ticks which get active as soon as it gets warm).

Many northern Wisconsin communities, areas, attractions, and resorts share the bounty of wonderful outdoor and indoor activities; local warmth; and an understanding of what you’re looking for. And of course, it’s the time when accommodations are more modest, with special promotions and packages.

The Eagle River area (in northeast Wisconsin, about 220 miles east of the Twin Cities), has mapped trails winding past some of the 28 lakes surrounding the community; an Historic Boathouses & Buildings self-guided waterway tour; and maps to excellent roads and trails through the nearby Nicolet National Forest. In the Eagle River area, you can even throw your golf clubs in a boat and cruise to several courses!

On your visit to Wisconsin, you may want to stay at a resort that has an indoor swimming pool and restaurant facilities, with the wealth of outdoor activities and nature just a step out the door.

Another great way to savor Wisconsin’s wildlife and scenery is to take a cruise.

And if it rains, visit one of northern Wisconsin’s excellent museums:

Eagle River’s new Northwoods Children’s Museum lets kids of all ages “play” forest ranger, catch and identify pretend fish, raid the period-clothes-hamper, blow a giant bubble, and many other interactive activities. Eagle River also boasts a new Historical Museum located at the Trees for Tomorrow Natural Resource Education Center, itself offering year-round nature seminars and workshops. Finally, Carl’s Wood Art Museum in Eagle River has welcomed thousands of visitors over the years to its collection of woodcarvings, memorabilia and whimsy.

Nobody said you HAD to wait until fall to take a fall color tour! Since the guidebooks exist, and the markers are up, get a brochure from the local Chamber of Commerce, and follow the signs to an area’s interesting sites, scenes, and natural highlights.

Northern Wisconsin resounds with golfing, hiking, biking, picnicking, ATV, antiquing, fishing, and shopping opportunities; as well as lots of events, parades, celebrations, fishing tournaments, and special activities throughout the season. Call ahead for schedules, events, information, and opening dates.

Although each area has a unique “flavor,” they share a common, almost elegant attention to nature, wildlife, scenery, and relaxing, and have a welcome mat out for visitors like you.

[Image: Courtesy of Mike Crowley; available for sale at his website Life in the Northwoods]

Wisconsin Autumn Realities Exceed the Fantasies

September 18, 2010 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

Autumn in northern Wisconsin. Breezes blow cooler. The moon and stars seem brighter. Days shorten. Harvests are bountiful. Crowds are gone. Leaves turn colors. Wisconsin’s exquisite beauty and pristine environment beckon. And the colors dazzle!

It’s time to drive, hike or bike amid thousands of colorful acres of Wisconsin forests, meadows, and wetlands garnished with glittering streams, rivers and glacial lakes. It’s time to watch eagles soar; see wildlife cavort; and listen for the call of the loon.

Pick a road, path, or stream in any of these areas for elegant, fiery reds, oranges, golds and browns, plus watchable wildlife, birds, world class fishing, biking, golf, shopping, and antiquing.

Stop for fresh cranberries, wild rice, antiques, or gifts at area shops. Seek silence, or the quiet bustle of small towns, where the locals are as unspoiled as the surroundings.

There are so many northern Wisconsin destinations to savor in the fall…

[Image: Courtesy of Mike Crowley; available for sale at his website Life in the Northwoods]

Look for Owl Pellets

October 15, 2009 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

Owls are among the birds that are permanent residents in much of the United States. They are nocturnal, but even if you’ve never seen one, you’ve probably heard one. “Hoo, hoo-hoo, hoo” hoots the great horned owl (whose “horns” are really tufts of feathers). “Who cooks for you all?” cries the barred owl.

You can find where owls live by looking for their pellets. Because birds have no teeth, they swallow their food whole. For owls (and other birds of prey) this means bones and all! What these birds can’t digest they eliminate. Instead of passing this hard matter through their intestinal tracts, it is coughed up out of their beaks as pellets.

Pellets vary in size and shape from species to species, but most are oblong, with bits of bone, fur and feathers sticking out. Fresh pellets are covered with a slimy mucus (all the better to slip out with!); weathered pellets are dry and hard. Look for pellets at the bases of trees, and in barns (where barn owls live).

Dissect a pellet to find out what the bird has been eating. Break one in half and soak it in warm water until it loosens up. Pour off the water and pick the pellet apart with a toothpick or a darning needle. Can you identify any of the tiny bones?

[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user Kasey Smith]

Art with Leaves

September 29, 2009 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

Leaves come in all shapes and sizes — some are squat, some are long and skinny. Each has its unique design of veins and lobes. Most leaves are simple (this means there is one blade). Some are compound (each blade is divided into three or more leaflets).

Leaf Prints

You can really see these differences in leaves when you make leaf prints.
You can make prints from the leaves that are turning, as well as the leaves from houseplants and other garden plants. (Just make sure you ask before you trim any plants!). Use leaves to print patterns on wrapping paper and note cards. Or use them to adorn trays, gardening pots, and drinking glasses.
You can use poster paints for printing cards with, but acrylic paints work best wherever you want a waterproof design.

Paint a little paint on the underside of the leaf where the veins are more pronounced and make a better print. Carefully place the “inked” leaf where you want the image printed. Cover the leaf with a piece of folded paper toweling. Roll a brayer (a small roller used for making prints), a rolling pin, or a spoon over the paper with firm strokes. Remove the paper towel and carefully lift the leaf. Presto!

Make Leaf Stencils

Leaves can also be used as stencils, which makes a reverse impression. This technique works best with pressed leaves. Keep the leaves in place with small pieces of tape folded over itself, and placed on the underside of the leaves. With a small sponge, or stubby bristle brush, dab paint around the outline of the leaves. The leaf shapes will show up white or whatever color paper you’re stenciling on.

You can also use the splatter technique. Dip an old toothbrush into watery paint and draw a popsicle stick across the bristles to make the paint splatter. This is a messy activity at best! Make sure you protect yourself and your area from the flying paint.

Make Leaf Rubbings

Fleshy leaves are good for making leaf rubbings. Here pressed leaves just don’t work as well as fresh.

Place the leaves wrong side up – – that is, with the raised veins showing. Place a sheet of lightweight paper over the leaves and carefully feel where they are. Rub over them with the flat side of a crayon. You can even match the leaf colors by choosing crayons that are close in hue.

Try using shoe polish instead of crayons. Polishes come in an array of autumn colors. Remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from stains.

[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user Todd Klassy]

Watch for Meteor Showers

August 22, 2008 by Naomi K Shapiro 1 Comment

Wow! Fireworks in August! Well, not quite, but meteor showers are just as exciting.

Around August 10-13, stargazers stay up late to watch the Perseid shower, an eagerly awaited summertime event. An average of 65 meteors light up the sky each hour as they move towards the earth. The best time for viewing is after midnight, but you’ll see plenty earlier.

One hundred million meteors are thought to enter the earth’s atmosphere each day(!), most vaporizing high in the air. Occasionally fragments fall to earth, but this is a rare occurrence. When actual pieces of rock are found, they are known as meteorites.

While shooting stars (as they are popularly known) can be seen on almost any clear night, there are certain times during the year, such as in August, when large numbers of them can be seen.

The Perseid shower is actually the second largest of the annual meteor showers. The most spectacular takes place around January 1-3 and is known as the Quadrantids. An average of 100 meteors can be seen making their descent each
hour at that time.

The Sky is Falling!

The following table lists those annual meteor showers that are eagerly anticipated by stargazers. Pull up a comfortable chair, grab a warm blanket, and watch the show!

January 1-3: Quadrantids — E Between Bootes and head of Draco

April 20-22: Lyrids — NE Between Vega and Hercules

May 4-6: Eta-Aquarids — E SW of the Square of Pegasus

August 10-13: Perseids — NE From Perseus

October 20-23: Orionids — E Between Orion and Gemini

November 3-10: Taurids — NE Between Taurus, Auriga and Perseus

December 10-12: Geminids — E Near Castor in Gemini

[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user tiggs81972]

Preserving Leaves with Glycerin

July 7, 2008 by Naomi K Shapiro Leave a Comment

You may have heard of glycerin. It’s an old-fashioned ingredient in hand lotions (rosewater and glycerin). You can still buy small bottles of it at drug stores. You can preserve all sorts of foliage with it (from oak leaves to ferns) and even a few flowers, notably hydrangeas. The plants turn color somewhat, but these are usually pleasing shades.

Prepare your foliage by stripping the bark from the thick lower stems (or mashing them slightly). Dilute the glycerin with water — one part glycerin to two parts water. Bring the solution almost to a boil (have your parents help you here) and pour 4-6 inches of it into a container tall enough to support the foliage. Place your greenery in the solution and leave it in a cool, dark place until the leaves being to turn color.

Check the plants regularly to see that there is enough solution in the container and to monitor how the conversion is going. If plants are left too long in glycerin, mildew might set in. The leaves should feel slightly greasy, but there shouldn’t be oil beads on the surface of the leaves. If the tops of your branches droop, hang the plants upside down to let the glycerin soak down to the very tips of the leaves.

Wipe the leaves with a tissue and arrange them in a vase. Lovely!

[Image: Courtesy of Flickr user crystalcolby]