As autumn leaves settle onto the forest floor and cooler temperatures arrive, mushrooms begin appearing throughout the woods. Their colors, shapes, and unexpected locations often spark curiosity, but mushrooms are much more than seasonal decorations. They are signs that an important process is taking place beneath our feet. Fall is one of the best times […]

Did you know that Halloween has roots stretching back more than 2,000 years? The holiday traces its origins in part to Samhain (pronounced “SOW-in”), an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. People believed this was a time when the boundary between the living and the spirit […]

The changing season makes late October and early November an ideal time to explore the outdoors and discover some of nature’s most fascinating mysteries. As Halloween approaches, thoughts often turn to magic, folklore, and things that appear a little mysterious. While fairy rings may sound like something from a storybook, these remarkable circles found in […]

The changing season makes October an ideal time to explore the outdoors and observe these natural phenomena firsthand. Crossroads at Big Creek offers several opportunities for community members to connect with nature throughout the month. Winnie-Pooh-Looza, a month-long countywide celebration of A.A. Milne’s beloved bear presented by Friends of Door County Libraries continues throughout October. […]

As crisp autumn mornings arrive in Door County, many residents will begin to notice a familiar seasonal sight: delicate ice crystals sparkling across lawns, leaves, and windshields. While beautiful, frost is also a fascinating example of science at work. Frost forms when surfaces near the ground become cold enough for moisture to freeze into tiny […]

As autumn settles across Door County, the days grow shorter, the nights get cooler, and a different cast of wildlife begins to emerge. For those who take the time to slow down and listen, fall offers an opportunity to experience one of the preserve’s most fascinating residents: the Great Horned Owl. On crisp autumn evenings, […]

Fall is often known for cozy sweaters, warm drinks, and colorful leaves, but let’s not forget about what is still blooming around us. While spring often gets most of the attention when it comes to wildflowers, many plants continue to bloom well into autumn, providing important food sources for wildlife as the seasons change. Residents […]

The skies above Door County are busy this time of year. While monarch butterflies and migratory birds often capture our attention, dragonflies are also making seasonal journeys through the region. Did you know that dragonflies are among the most ancient winged insects on Earth? They have been around for more than 300 million years, long […]

For those who take the time to look, autumn’s transition is already underway, even if summer’s warmth still lingers. Along the Lake Michigan shoreline, monarch butterflies are gathering before beginning their remarkable journey to Mexico. Warblers, thrushes, shorebirds, and other migratory birds are passing through local forests, fields, and shorelines, stopping to rest and refuel […]

The signs of fall are already beginning to appear across Door County. Monarch butterflies are gathering along the Lake Michigan shoreline before making their journey south. Trees are quietly storing nutrients and energy in preparation for winter, even while their leaves remain green. Bats are feeding heavily before migrating or settling into winter hibernation sites. […]