Fall Walk along Blue Hill Trail

Fall hikes along Blue Hill Trail are pleasant with no flies or mosquitos and the temperatures allow comfortable hiking. The colors are muted this year but the views from the top of Blue Hill observation platform are still stunning.

Along the way around the short trail we passed through the Enchanted Forest and then found 8 Trumpeter swans leisurely feeding in Buck Lake. The observation platform added at the edge of the lake makes for a very comfortable stopping point. The viewing scopes brought the swans and some ducks into clear view.

If you have not been on the Blue Hill hiking trail yet, try it sometime for a refreshing and fun hike. There are three loop trail options from 2 miles to just over 4 miles in length.

Rover View 1

http://www.exploresherburne.org/

WILDLIFE FESTIVAL OCTOBER 10, 2009

Snowy conditions greeted early morning festival attendees as they went with Refuge staff to a special place on the refuge to watch the Sandhill Cranes awake and fly off to their morning feeding areas. The snow and such cold is unusual for this time of year but the clear skies, sunrise and sights and sounds of hundreds of cranes flying easily warmed the spirits.



Puddles was on-location to greet Refuge visitors later in the morning.

Refuge firefighters present information on fire safety and practices used on the Refuge.

Many booths provide information on how to view and sustain the birds and animals we all enjoy around the refuge region.

Several hands-on activities stands offered an opportunity to learn about archery, fishing, air rifle marksmanship, and viewing wildlife using binoculars.

Face painting table is always a popular activity within the Old Schoolhouse.

Raptors of the Midwest presentation put on by the UM-Raptor Center staff is always interesting and well attended.

Who can take a horse drawn hay wagon ride without wanting to pet the horses Major and Minnie Pearl. This is always a well attended activity and this year there were two wagons in use so festival goers did not have to wait so long in the cold.

The festival offered many more activities from a performance by musician and storyteller Doug Wood to nature hikes around the immediate area and bus tours of the Wildlife Drive. Other display stations provided information on wildflowers seeds, animal pelts, bones and feathers, along with live reptiles on display. After taking in all this, lunch was available and a free piece of Refuge Anniversary cake celebrating Sherburne Refuges 44th year.

Another fine Wildlife Festival and even though it was colder than many years, there were still over 800 attendees for the day long festivities. If you were not able to make it this year, plan ahead for nexts falls event.

Rover View1
http://www.exploresherburne.org/