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In the Sky: Nov 2021
Of special interest will be the very nearly total eclipse of the Moon early in the morning of November 19.
"You've told me more lies than the stars in the sky."
     "Bonny Blue Eyes" recorded by the original Carter Family, 1936. 
(We visited the home of A. P. Carter on our recent trip.)
Enjoy -- David Voigts, PRAS Board Member


Trumpeter Swans at Big Woods Lake   Photo by Scott Garrett

Earth's Warming - Letter to the Editor

“All The Little Things”

Presented by Chris Helzer, Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy (Nebraska)

Watch the recording; the presentation begins around the 7:57 minute mark.


While most people equate nature with birds, bears, and bison, most of the work done to keep ecosystems humming along is done by an incredible diversity of smaller and less conspicuous organisms like plants and invertebrates.  Those ‘little things’ are crucial to the resilience and health of prairies and other natural communities, but in addition to their importance, they also lead fascinating lives.  Chris will discuss those species and the way they interact with each other through a photo-heavy presentation and lots of stories that will help you appreciate the diversity of life all around us.  He will talk about why it’s so important for all of us to tell our own stories about our passion for nature and conservation.

 

Chris Helzer is Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska, where he conducts research and evaluates prairie management and restoration work. He is also dedicated to raising awareness about the value of prairies through his photography, writing and presentations. Chris is author of The Prairie Ecologist blog, and two books: “The Ecology and Management of Prairies in the Central United States” and “Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter.” He lives in Aurora, Nebraska.




Yellow Warbler in Flight by John McCormick - Winner of the Wildlife Division of Black Hawk County Conservation's First Photography Contest

Congratulations John! What a great capture!


Ivory-billed Woodpecker & Other Bird Species Declared Extinct


American Goldfinch with photobombing bee!  Photo by John McCormick


Song on a Wire - Wikimedia Commons
Bird Flight Patterns and Music Concert Program
You are now able to access the online concert video and curriculum (see link and password below-posted with permission by the copyright holder).
The link provides the full concert video and online curriculum with activities, lessons, extra musical performances, composer interviews and educational games. This resource will remain active through June 2022 (for one year), so utilize it for your programs, personal edification working with your children or grandchildren to teach them about music and birds!

Password:  BFPMC  (case sensitive)

 

Osprey at Greenbelt Lake - Waterloo  Photo by John McCormick

      Find an injured bird or animal? Call Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation Project 319-277-6511

Subscribe to the PRAS YouTube Channel if you are interested in watching recordings of our past Zoom meetings for which we have permission to post for viewing.

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The email address associated with PRAS's account is:   praudubon@gmail.com
Email praudubon@gmail.com to request password for email; we won't post it here online.
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