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. […]

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public to protect young wildlife by observing them from a safe distance and letting them grow up in their natural environment. “Many of Wisconsin’s wildlife species, such as rabbits, squirrels, opossums and songbirds, have multiple litters or clutches each year,” said Jenna Fastner, DNR captive wildlife […]

As summer gradually gives way to autumn, the landscape at Crossroads at Big Creek is beginning its annual transformation. Vast seas of yellow and purple wildflowers blanket the preserves, signaling that cooler temperatures and shorter days are on the horizon. Goldenrods sway in late-summer breezes, asters provide splashes of purple across open fields, and the […]

The days are growing shorter, and the storms of fall roll in, accenting cooler nights and pleasantly warm days. As you wander into the woods, the forest seems spent from summer’s abundance. Songbirds are molting into their more subdued winter plumage, leaves and stems are riddled with holes and galls, and scavenging detritivores are growing […]