Connecting with Nature through Silent Sports

This summer, the Discovery Center has been offering free weekly drop-in silent sport activities that not only connect silent sport enthusiasts, but provide opportunities for participants to connect with nature in unique ways.  Each activity this summer has provided us with a special glimpse of the Northwoods.  (Unfortunately, cameras have not always been handy.)

While biking on Papoose Lake Road (7/19), a small red fox trotted across the road just a few feet in front of us and while hiking at the WinManTrails (7/26), we observed a variety of berries, including pin cherries, chokecherries, and bright red elderberries.

Caption: Red elderberry

 

Paddling a section of the Manitowish River (8/2) led to a close encounter with a large, camouflaged snapping turtle basking in the sun and hiking at the Van Vliet Hemlocks (8/9) provided us with an up-close look at numerous species of fungi, including bioluminescent blue stain fungi, shiny varnish fungi, and both orange and white varieties of coral fungi.

Caption: Coral fungi (Photo by Peter Rebholz)

 

Our most unusual find came during a kayak paddle on Tamarack Lake (8/16).  Floating just under the surface were large circular masses of bryozoa, also known as moss animals.  In freshwater environments, these colonial microorganisms often secrete a mass of gelatinous material, which can cause them to be confused with eggs.  More information on bryozoa can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryozoa.

 

Caption: Bryozoa

 

As we have experienced this summer, every adventure in the Northwoods can lead to an exciting discovery. The Discovery Center’s drop-in silent sport activities will continue into the fall season on Fridays - who knows what else we will find!