Every Saturday in May the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will hold a ranger-led, educational walk in the Lakeshore. Meet at the Visitor Center in Empire on Saturdays at 1 PM. Here are the topics:
May 10 - The World of Frogs - What would spring be without the sound of frogs? Why are they singing and why are they disappearing all around the world? What might they be trying to tell us? Learn to identify several local varieties by sight and sound. This is a great outdoor adventure for the whole family.
May 17 - Hike to a Beaver Lodge - Look for one of the few animals that dramatically engineers their environment and has played a major role in this region’s history. See a dam, lodge, canals, and tunnels while learning more about beavers and their logging operations.
May 24 - A Flurry of Wild Flowers - Few places on earth have an abundance of wildflowers as the hardwood forest of Northwest Michigan in the spring. Join a ranger to marvel at this annual display of native plants as you hike through one of the best wildflower habitats in the region.
May 31 - Returning Birds - Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day by joining a ranger to welcome back several species of migratory birds. Learn about their winter adventures in far off lands and the distances they travel in between. This is a great opportunity for beginning birders. Binoculars provided.
Photo: Spring Beauties by Jim Sorbie (click over to get it desktop background size!)
Got something to say? Click over to the May 2008 Page. For today's weather, weather links, this week's events, a new weekly photo and comments, click the "more" link.
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Over on our Absolute Michigan web site, we're featuring Leelanau's own National Lakeshore in Dig Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes. It begins:
The October 21, 1970 Act of Congress that established the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore declared that "...the Congress finds that certain outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena, exist along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and on certain nearby islands in Benzie and Leelanau Counties, Michigan, and that such features ought to be preserved in their natural setting and protected from developments and uses which would destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of the area."
Before it's all over, you will have hopefully enjoyed the photos, maps and links and checked out 5 "must-do" ways to experience the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (I'm hoping folks who know and love the Dunes can add many more tips for visitors!)
Check it out - I'm really happy with how it came out!
Photo: canyon of trees by metrolens
Last update: May 8 Sweets are definitely getting going - the orchard by my house is almost in full blossom and we'll definitely have nice blossom coverage this weekend - make your reservations now! The cool weather is keeping the tarts under wraps, so it looks as if we'll have orchard beauty for at least another week!
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, director of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station, reports that she's seeing a few sweets now. She that although sweets typically blossom first with tarts coming 3-5 days after, there have been years when they've come at the same time. She noted that cherries are only receptive to be fertilized for a week or so, no matter how long the blossoms are out. Years when we do have an enduring blossom can even be detrimental to fertilization as bees don't like to fly when it's cold.
Keep an eye on at least one tree with the Hort station's Cherry Orchard webcam.
The photo is Leelanau by Jeff Lamb, and you can view it large right here and see more of Jeff's great pics from the Leelanau Peninsula on his photography web site.
For a whole lot more about cherry blossoms, check out Cherry Blossom Time in Michigan on Michigan in Pictures and be sure to think about attending the Leelanau County Cherry Blossom Tour on May 10, 2008!
Sleeping Bear Dunes 0822 by SNiedzwiecki
News from the Week
In addition to some upcoming events, we posted the Leelanau Cherry Blossom Report (which we're updating as the blossoms update!)
The Week's Weather
The weather was what you want from spring, some sun, some rain and not too hot allowing blossoms and buds to develop slowly.
May 1, 2008: Light rain (a dusting of early snow) & low 60s (66/30)
May 2, 2008: Heavy rain, thunderstorms and 50s (62/42)
May 3, 2008: Mostly sunny and 50s with bit of afternoon showers (62/37)
May 4, 2008: Sunny & 60 (62/32)
May 5, 2008: Mostly sunny & low 50s (55/39)
May 6, 2008: Light rain & 60s (66/37)
May 7, 2008: Mostly cloudy, breezy & occasional showers (63/42)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from May 2007 and the May 2008 page!
Dan took this photo of The Bufka Farm last weekend. He has several more photos from around the county and area on Saturday.
The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor is hosting a Mother's Day Brunch this Sunday (May 11) from 10 AM to 2 PM to benefit Leelanau County Habitat for Humanity. This is a terrific brunch for the whole family and funds raised will help pay for a habitat house that is currently under construction in Maple City.
Grand Traverse Habitat for Humanity says:
Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses.
Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor—sweat equity—into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.
Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity - 6 by tukanuk
Every month we make a post where you can let folks know about news items, fun things you did and observations of what's happening in the great outdoors.
Every May we know we can expect cherry blossoms and the beginning of the summer travel season.
This May on Leelanau.com, we're also going to be focusing on summer travel with stories about cool vacation ideas and (hopefully) some vacation giveaways courtesy some of our great sponsors.
Stay tuned!
Photo: J Jumps by Andy McFarlane
Traverse City hosts a Downtown Art Walk tomorrow night (Friday, May 2) from 5-9 PM.
You're invited to enjoy a self guided tour of galleries and exhibits in Downtown Traverse City featuring local art and wine. Visit each participating location, receive a stamp and enter to win a $500 Downtown Shopping Spree. Walking guides will be available at each participating location and the Downtown Office.
Visit the Downtown Traverse City web site for more information!
Fog Bank by John Levanen
News from the Week
Stories this week were pretty much events, but there was a very cool video about "Leland Blues".
The Week's Weather
We had a nice warm end of the week last week and have spent most of the rest of the time in the 40s and 50s. I get the sense from talking to farmers that they're OK with this.
April 24, 2008: Cloudy, light rain & 70s (75/41)
April 25, 2008: Very heavy rain, thunderstorms & low 70s (75/50)
April 26, 2008: Wind, rain & 50s (63/39)
April 27, 2008: Mostly sunny, breezy & 40s (46/35)
April 28, 2008: Sunny, windy & 40 (40/28)
April 29, 2008: Partly sunny & low 40s (44/32)
April 30, 2008: Sunny & 50s (54/32)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from April 2007 and our April 2008 page!
