Chuck Lura

Are you getting a case of the winter blues? Are you spending too much time on the couch and too little time outdoors? Consider making a concerted effort to get outdoors more often to enjoy some of what nature has to offer during the winter. There is much to see and do for those interested a little "Natural North Dakota" that is quite easy to observe if one just takes the time to do so.

All plant parts of water hemlock are toxic to humans and livestock. It is one of the deadliest plants native to North America, some say the deadliest.

Spending time in nature doesn’t just inspire awe — research shows it can improve our health and well-being.

Goldenrods might have caught your attention back in August and September with their showy yellow flowerheads. And they may still catch your attention during the winter.

The rest of December and the first week of January could be great for skywatching. What could be the best meteor shower of the year is peaking next weekend. Plus, a couple other meteor showers and a super moon are coming soon.

The northern lights were making national news a few weeks ago. Reports of the displays came streaming in from as far south as Florida. Seeing them always seems to elicit a sense of wonder and awe, and there may well be more shows to come this winter.

No doubt many of you heard the recent news that “Wicked: For Good” star Jonathan Bailey was named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025. Okay... But what species would you select to be the most attractive small mammal in North Dakota?

Turtle Mountain, straddling the Canada-United States border in Bottineau and Rolette counties, is often referred to as a “forested island in a grassland sea.” Because Turtle Mountain lies around 600-800 feet above the surrounding prairie, an orographic effect results in a notable increase in the effective precipitation on Turtle Mountain, resulting in conditions favorable to forest development.

November is here! We generally think of September, October, and November as fall — and with winter waiting in the wings, the animals have basically three options: migrate, hibernate, or stay and endure it. And the plants have no choice but to stay and endure the winter.

Several owl species nest in North Dakota, but their eerie calls and nighttime habits have inspired centuries of myths and legends — from wise protectors to harbingers of doom.