Chuck Lura has a broad knowledge of "Natural North Dakota"and loves sharing that knowledge with others. Since 2005, Chuck has written a weekly column, “Naturalist at Large,” for the Lake Metigoshe Mirror, and his “The Naturalist” columns appear in several other weekly North Dakota newspapers.
Lura was a long-time biology professor at Dakota College at Bottineau, publishing research on ecological aspects of grasslands in the northern Great Plains. In retirement, he continues to share his Natural North Dakota essays for the Prairie Public audience.
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Natural North Dakota is supported by NDSU Central Grasslands Research Extension Center and Dakota College at Bottineau, and by the members of Prairie Public. Thanks to Sunny 101.9 in Bottineau for their recording services.
Hear Natural North Dakota on Prairie Public on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:35am CT.
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It is not too early to start looking for some Juneberry patches to harvest this summer. -
The orchid family is one of the largest and most diverse family of flowering plants and widely recognized for their attractive and fragrant flowers. Even though we can now find orchids for sale in several big box stores, the mention of orchids often brings out thoughts of exotic tropical locations. -
It might surprise you, but the fox squirrel is not native to North Dakota. -
The landscape has been changing from brown to green, and for the casual observers, most of that fresh green color is often largely attributed to grass growth. But it might not all be what it seems. Much of that new green growth, particularly in the wetter habitats may not be grasses but sedges, a group of plants that are not well known. -
What are the chances that an egg laid by a duck hatches, develops, and lives to see its first birthday. As you might assume, the odds are not good. -
Over the next few weeks, you might want to consider grabbing the binoculars and heading out to some nearby wetlands. There is much to see there this time of year, plus you have a good chance to see some Wilson’s phalaropes, which are widely distributed in North Dakota, particularly in shallow water. These small shorebirds are quite interesting and can provide some great entertainment. -
If the morel mushrooms are not popping up in your area, they should be soon. As many of you know, morel mushrooms are eminently edible and the mushroom of choice for mushroom hunters. -
Are you anxious to see the return of ruby-throated hummingbirds? If so, now might be a good time to start cleaning up the feeders and setting them out, because they usually start showing up around early May. -
We seldom give plant sex much consideration, but some species of flowering plants produce flowers with both male and female reproductive structures in the same flower (perfect flowers). Most of the plants you are familiar with are in that category. Other species produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant. -
Spring is often punctuated by a series of new sights and sounds as winter gives way to summer. It seems like each new sighting of a bird, for example, is duly noted and announced to others. Sighting the first robin of the season is probably the best example, but don’t forget to pay attention to the many other varied sounds of spring.
