Kaw Valley Almanac
Note from the Times: The Kaw Valley Almanac is a contributed piece that runs each week. Find more information and older editions at kawvalleyalmanac.com, and follow @KVAlmanac on Twitter.
this week’s Almanac
Kaw Valley Almanac for March 25-31, 2024
Redbuds have begun to open a little early in northeast Kansas, as evidenced by these flowers poking out the ends of the clusters of red buds, ready to unfurl its pea-like flowers, even before all of last year’s seed pods have fallen.
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Kaw Valley Almanac for March 21-27, 2022
Leaves are emerging from woodland gooseberries in northeast Kansas, with a few false rue anemone emerging. The dry weather has meant a slower spring woodland wildflower season, but this week’s rains may change that, so go take a look!
Kaw Valley Almanac for March 14-20, 2022
Sandhill cranes migrate by the hundreds of thousands annually through Kansas and Nebraska. Now is the time to see them. Spring woodland wildflower plants have emerged as well.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 28 – March 5, 2022
The junco on the left happily ate seeds off the deck, while the female redbellied woodpecker was much quicker, looking out the flower pot after grabbing a seed, then flying off to a nearby cottonwood, hopping up the trunk. Winter is transitioning.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 21-27, 2022
A seagull-seeking field trip coming up; bobcats, raccoons, skunks and coyotes are in the midst of their mating seasons; plus a surprising amount of conflict between feathered foes in this week’s Kaw Valley Almanac.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 14-20, 2022
Learn what to do with new seeds; watch for geese, moonrise, and blooming crocuses; and more from this week’s Kaw Valley Almanac.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Feb. 7-13, 2022
This opossum seems to have a real sense of purpose after selecting a piece of hedge apple to take back to the den.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 31-Feb. 6, 2022
Looking for color in the dead of winter? Look in the woods, under trees, up close and you might be surprised by the wide variety of mosses amongst the leaf litter.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 24-30, 2022
Please consider supplementing the shrinking food and water supplies with a birdseed feeder and some water for the next month or so. This is typically the hardest time of the year for many birds — give them a hand!
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 17-23, 2022
This is not seagulls in a cloudy sky — it’s snow fleas on the snow.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 10-16, 2022
This photo of the first quarter moon through the cottonwood tree was taken at sunset when it was due south. Each day at sunset this week, the moon will move a little further to the east until by the end of the week it will rise a little more than an hour before sunset, almost completely round.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Jan. 3-9, 2022
This female cardinal looks like she is eyeing how much bird seed is left in the feeder, a little concerned about how little is left. Birds eat a lot more seed in cold temperatures as metabolism increases and alternative food sources diminish.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Dec. 27, 2021-Jan. 2, 2022
This eastern gamagrass provides a native grass burst to mirror fireworks overhead as a way to bring in the new year. The calendar year is a human construct recognized by no other life forms, but happy new year anyway!
Kaw Valley Almanac for Dec. 20-26, 2021
The winter solstice is on Tuesday; expect 14 1/2 hours between sunset Tuesday and sunrise Wednesday morning. In contrast, summer solstice nights last just a little more than 9 hours.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Dec. 13-19, 2021
Last week, the calm water reflected the sunset and leafless trees just west of the Baker Wetlands a few minutes after sunset. This week promises to be much windier, with high fire danger and potentially severe weather midweek.
Kaw Valley Almanac for Dec. 6-12, 2021
This heron is hanging out on a cottonwood branch at the Baker Wetlands near the Wakarusa River in the fading twilight. The sun sets at 4:59 p.m. all this week, the earliest sunsets of the year.