Visiting the Audubon Center at Riverlands can be a treat any time of the year, but the winter holds the allure of special avian guests and regular events to increase the opportunity and understanding of those big American birds. Bald eagles bring out scores of bird watchers as open water areas north of Missouri freezeContinue reading “Swans and eagles attract attention in January”
Author Archives: John J. Winkelman
Free First Day Hikes require advanced registration in Missouri State Parks
Thanks to alert Leader reader Karen Wenzel, I can correct this information for “Don’t Call Me Outdoor John.” My photo is tagged in my computer file as “created on Jan. 1. 2004,” but when Karen saw the picture in the paper, she new it was 2014 when I made my first, First Day Hike atContinue reading “Free First Day Hikes require advanced registration in Missouri State Parks”
FeederWatch project collects data for continental bird research
There is never a bad time to help a good cause, so the required donation to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology was not a barrier to keep me from joining a program called Project FeederWatch. One week into my membership, I already consider it $18 well spent. My obsession with the birds that flock toContinue reading “FeederWatch project collects data for continental bird research”
Annual Geminid meteor shower will peak this weekend
One of the outdoors’ greatest shows not on Earth takes place this month and will reach its performance peak this weekend. The display will go on regardless of the weather, but in order for us to enjoy it, clear skies at night are necessary. The editors at EarthSky.org predict the peak of the Geminid meteorContinue reading “Annual Geminid meteor shower will peak this weekend”
Walk in the park to highlight “Benefits of Nature”
“You know where Knob Noster State Park is, don’t you?” a friend asked me earlier this week. “Just east of Warrensburg,” I replied confidently. I take pride in being able to identify and locate public places throughout Missouri where you can get out and enjoy the outdoors. I have visited more than half of theContinue reading “Walk in the park to highlight “Benefits of Nature””
Old almanac will continue to provide annual predictions
Since I am a frequent shopper at Buchheit in Herculaneum, my wife Kelly will tell you that it was not so coincidental that I was in the store on the same day I heard the news that the Farmers’ Almanac was ceasing publication. I had just seen a display rack full of the familiar, yellow-coveredContinue reading “Old almanac will continue to provide annual predictions”
Trout fishing opportunities return for winter season
While most of the focus this time of year is on hunting, a popular fishing season has opened to provide opportunities for anglers close to home and in their favorite spring and summer streams around the state. November 14 was opening day for catch and release fishing in Missouri’s four trout parks, and the hatcheryContinue reading “Trout fishing opportunities return for winter season”
LaBarque Creek Conservation Area near Eureka expands
A recent purchase expands one of Jefferson County’s most interesting outdoors attractions. The LaBarque Creek Conservation Area near Eureka added 15 acres that includes about a half-mile of the property’s namesake LaBarque Creek. The land purchase was approved by the state Conservation Commission at its meeting in April and closed in September. According to aContinue reading “LaBarque Creek Conservation Area near Eureka expands”
Never Lose Touch program encourages people to get outdoors
An initiative from the state Department of Conservation invites people of all ages to connect with the outdoors or find their way back outside through a number of activities and multi-media opportunities. Never Lose Touch provides encouragement to people who remember halcyon days in the woods or on the water, and anyone who has watchedContinue reading “Never Lose Touch program encourages people to get outdoors”
Mandatory hunter education has changed with the times
While it may be too soon to call it waxing nostalgic, I have been thinking about the history of hunter education in Missouri. It was not that long ago that this time of year would present a calendar full of opportunities for new hunters to earn their certification. Jefferson College offered the classes as partContinue reading “Mandatory hunter education has changed with the times”
Don't Call Me Outdoor John 