We’ve had some fun with our trail cam, we decided to set it up to get some pictures of the different birds that come to one of our feeders. It’s almost as if this Blue Jay knew he was getting his picture taken, I wonder, do birds ever smile? How do you smile when your mouth is a beak? Just the ramblings of the questions that go on in this brain of mine…
Happy Friday Wisconsin! Join us today as we share some camping tips and tricks, DNR news, sports, Wisconsin events and our featured small business. Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #18 - May 18, 2012 [ 30:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
Have you ever wondered what goes on in an eagle’s nest? Check out this great video from 3rd and 4th grade students from the SoSET school in Blair, Wisconsin and their teacher.This is the second year they are broadcasting the adventures of Bald Eagles Lucy and Larry (and Lucky the squirrel who lives in the bottom of their nest). Aside from learning about eagles themselves Lucy and Larry also help the students learn observations, maths and many other skills in a fun and interesting ways. The students also provide regular updates, often complete with video, on the project’s website: Eagles4Kids.com
If you enjoyed your visit to our website today please subscribe for regular updates by entering your email in the box below. Thank you!
Watching the hummingbirds buzz around our yard is one of my favorite hobbies. They seem like they are such happy little birds. Here, in northern Wisconsin, we’re not able to put out hummingbird feeders in our yard because it’s quite likely it will attract bears, not a good thing, bears aren’t nearly as graceful as the hummingbirds. They not only eat the nectar but they ruin the feeder and make a mess of everything around it.
So our only choice is to attract the hummingbirds naturally by planting flowers they love. Hummingbirds are attracted to red or orange flowers, although I have seen them come to purple and pink flowers too. They seem to be very fond of petunias.
I believe hummingbirds remember exactly where they’re favorite flowers are located. I moved one of my hanging petunia plants the other day and later in the day I noticed a hummingbird buzzing that area, almost as if he was say “hey, what did you do with my flowers?!” I hung it back up shortly after and he returned.
Below are a few of the flowers we can grow here in Wisconsin that will attract hummingbirds.
Petunia – Very easy to grow and they look great in hanging baskets. They come in many different colors too!
Azaleas – A beatuiful flower, they have a shorter blooming period than most but in the spring this is a hummer favorite. They also come in many different colors.
Lilies – So many varieties, easy to grow and they look great in bouquets too!
If you’re lucky enough to be able to hang man-made hummingbird feeders click here for some great tips about your hummingbird feeders.
Thanks for stopping by our website today, if you enjoyed your visit please subscribe by entering your email in the box below for regular updates. Thank you!
As a parent myself I know camping can be a real drag if your kids are bored, you don’t have fun and they don’t have fun. So, since the camping season is upon us I thought I would share with you some of the Wisconsin “kid-friendly” campgrounds. Well, I should say, MORE “kid-friendly” campgrounds because, really, I would think all the campgrounds would have stuff for the kiddos to do but I picked out a few that really shine when it comes to entertainment for kids. Of course it depends on what your kids like to do, I have a nephew who is happy as long as he has a lake and a fishing pole!
The first one is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, gosh, is Yogi Bear even on TV anymore? I don’t know but there are several Jellystone Park locations around Wisconsin so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one near you. Check out the video below from the Warrens location, looks like fun!
The next one is Plymouth Rock Camping Resort in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Wow, how does two large heated swimming pools, an arcade, fun themed weekends and mini-golf sound? That’s not all…check out this video of one of their very popular activities…(hint, it includes shaving cream!)
The Hayward area has so much to offer and the Hayward KOA Kampground is a great place to camp. They have fun themed weekends, a swimming pool, a 300′ waterslide and a whole lot more. Take a look for yourself in the video below….fun!
If you enjoyed your visit to our website today please sign up below for regular updates. If you have suggestions for more great places to take your kids camping in Wisconsin let us know in the comments below!
These are so cute! Just click on the picture to order, only $24.98 for both pair.
Happy Mother’s Day everyone! Have a wonderful day!
Mini traffic jam: lady in a golf cart, with her dog trotting alongside, followed by a tractor. This can’t only happen in Wisconsin, right?
— alyssa (@uhlissuhh) May 11, 2012
I don’t trust any man that lives in Wisconsin and doesn’t have a beer belly.
— Cunning Linguist (@mstarafied) May 4, 2012
I love Wisconsin because when you show up at someone’s house they hand you a beer and a baby.
— Stefan Davis (@notstefandavis) May 5, 2012
Ahhh Wisconsin.Where people stand in line at a liquor store parking lot at 5am drinking beer and grilling bacon wrapped twinkles.
— Steena (@aHappyPace) May 6, 2012
Overheard: MN isn’t like Wisconsin. Mtg ppl is easy in Wisc., just buy ‘em a beer then you sleep together.
— Erica Hanna Mayer (@meeterica) May 12, 2012
Only in Wisconsin will you see a girl with a full fledged chew packed in her lip wow #unreal
— Eric DeRosier (@derose22) May 12, 2012
Only in Wisconsin would there be beer tastings in gas stations. At noon.
— Andrew Reiman (@swanson_deux) May 8, 2012
Thanks for stopping by our website, if you enjoyed your visit please enter your email in the box below for regular updates. We promise we won’t fill your mailbox up with junk mail, you’ll receive one email per week letting you know our podcast is available and once in a while we’ll send you an email if we have a special announcement. We never, ever, share or sell our subscriber information, we don’t like it when people do that to us so we won’t do that to you, promise!
Happy Friday Wisconsin! Today we’ll be talking about becoming a foster parent in Wisconsin, a special segment called “Things Mom Says”, DNR news, sports, Wisconsin events and our featured small business. Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #17 - May 11, 2012 [ 19:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (27)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
People with disabilities are enjoying camping in several Wisconsin State Parks. There are nine cabins available for those unable to use the outdoor camping areas. The cabins are wheel chair accessible, the kitchens are lower to make cooking easier, wheel-in showers and they even have lift beds.
Below is a list of the parks for people with disabilities, click on each to learn more.
Kettle Moraine State Forest (Southern Unit)
Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Make reservations to go camping!
If you enjoyed your visit to our website today please subscribe for future updates by entering your email in the box below. Thank you!
The Green Bay Botanical Garden is 47 acres of lush gardens and beautiful architecture. A visit to these amazing gardens gives inspiration to us “northern” gardeners looking for plants that will hold up to our Wisconsin winters.
There are many varieties of gardens, such as the Magnolia Collection which is home to 116 Magnolia species. In the King Shade Garden you will find many different types of shade friendly plants. Bring the kids and enjoy the Gertrude B. Nielsen Children’s Garden, a great learning experience and a tree house too! They also have a Vietnam Veteran Garden showcasing sustainable, easy-to-grow perennials. There are many more gardens to explore as well.
Green Bay Botanical Garden is open all year and the admission price is very reasonable. For more information visit www.gbbg.org and they also have a great blog, go to “The Dig”.
It’s opening fishing today in Wisconsin and we’re heading out to the lake shortly. Here are a few cool fishing videos for you to enjoy. Better yet, shut your computer off and go fishing!
Happy Friday Wisconsin! Today we’ll be talking about a few more famous fish in Wisconsin, a fun new way to communicate with other Wisconsinites, DNR news, sports, Wisconsin events and our featured small business. Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #16 - May 4, 2012 [ 22:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (23)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
We’re having a lot of fun with our trail cam, here’s a female Pileated Woodpecker having some dinner!
Click here for a previous post about the pileated woodpecker in Wisconsin. We’ll be adding more trail cam pictures in the future so please come back to visit us again!
We took a drive yesterday and stopped at the Pheasant Inn in Siren, I saw this poster and thought it was a very good cause and just had to share it with you. Click here to read the article about Sgt. Chad M. Allen.
Photo by The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin state record for Lake Sturgeon is 170 lbs. 10 oz. 79″ long, caught on September 22, 1979 out of Yellow Lake in Burnett County. That is a huge fish! If you want to find sturgeon, look along Wisconsin’s major river systems, especially the Lake Winnebago waterway system which holds the largest single concentration of sturgeon in the world.
Most fish in Wisconsin spawn every year, but the sturgeon only spawns every 4 to 5 years and they don’t start spawning until they’re 25 years old. When spawning it’s almost as if the sturgeon are dancing, notice the “dancing” of the sturgeon in the video below…
The sturgeon dates back to the dinosaur ages, it’s amazing to me that this species has survived for so many years. For more information on sturgeon in Wisconsin below are some great articles, enjoy!
Wisconsin & Michigan Team Up To Boost Lake Michigan Sturgeon Population
Dinosaur Fish Lurk in Wisconsin Waters
Monster Sturgeons Caught in Wisconsin Waters
Tagged Wisconsin Sturgeon Born in 1887
Uh oh. I’m married to a Wisconsinite and I just confessed that I detest bratwurst. Wasn’t well received.#troubleinparadise
— Alicia Joy (@AjoyPDX) April 28, 2012
Just sat outside for two hours watching the northern lights drinking beer.. True wisconsinite
— Chelsea Harr (@chelseaharr) April 24, 2012
Good thing my neighbor is outside drinking a beer… In his underwear #cute #Wisconsin
— Kelsey Gomez (@kelsgomez) April 24, 2012
Only in Wisconsin would someone ask why you are NOT drinking tonight. Ha!
— Megan (@milw_ms) April 28, 2012
People at the bar in camouflage sweatpants… Only in Wisconsin.
— Laura (@hawkeypucks) April 28, 2012
Nothing like driving past a guy on the high way with 3 deer heads just chillin in the back of his car. Only in Wisconsin! LMFAO!
— kimmi hudson (@kimmihudson) April 27, 2012
Only in wisconsin would kids wake up to go hunting before school.
— Kenzie Smaney (@KK_DEUCES) April 26, 2012
the guy next to me has his own pitcher of beer to watch the game…a true sconnie, i must say.
— Susie Korzec (@SusieKorzec32) April 25, 2012
Happy Friday Wisconsin! With the fishing opener coming up it’s all about fishing today, including some state records, fishing events and our featured small business. Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #15 - April 27, 2012 [ 20:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (23)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
This is a great way to clean Northern Pike, my husband has cherished this diagram for years and swears by this method.
In my last few podcast episodes I have invited you to join me on Pinterest but I never told you how Pinterest works! Bad me! Here is a great video that will give you an idea of how to use it….join me! (by the way if you need an “invite” send me an email or leave a comment below)
There’s been a lot of good news in Wisconsin lately! Here are some “good news” stories…
DOOR COUNTY – Hundreds of acres of well-preserved wildlife areas in Door County are now available for public use. The Door County Land Trust purchased the 483 acres in Sevastopol this week. ”It’s just a neat jewel right here in Door County,” said Dick Baudhuin.
Click here for the rest of the story.
Appleton is the best place to live for outdoor enthusiasts says Outdoor Life magazine, which ranked the top 35 spots in its May issue based on hunting and fishing opportunities.
Click here for the rest of the story.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker today announced that Kestrel Aircraft Corp. will establish its manufacturing and headquarters in Superior, creating what the Walker administration claims will be up to 600 new jobs.
Click here for the rest of the story.
Dane County Humane Society’s Four Lakes Wildlife Center recently released a snowy owl that had been receiving treatment since last December.
Click here for the rest of the story.
Four former soldiers in the Wisconsin Army National Guard will be inducted into the Guard’s Hall of Honor.
Click here for the rest of the story.
A Wisconsin tribe will become the first in the nation to open tribal land to the public, giving visitors a chance to enjoy nearly 89 acres of pristine forestland along the coast of Lake Superior.
Click here for the rest of the story.
Photo by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
With the fishing opener coming up I thought I’d share with you a few of the state fish records…that way if you catch a big one you’ll know if it’s one for the record books!
Largemouth Bass – 11 lbs. 3 oz. – Caught October 12, 1940 – Lake Ripley, Jefferson County
Smallmouth Bass – 9 lbs. 1 oz. – Caught June 21, 1950 – Indian Lake, Oneida County
Bluegill – 2 lbs. 9.8 oz. – Caught August 2, 1995 – Green Bay, Brown County
Channel Catfish – 44lbs. – Caught 1962 – Wisconsin River, Columbia County
Black Crappie – 4 lbs. 8 oz. – Caught August 12, 1967 – Gile Flowage, Iron County
Muskellunge – 69 lbs. 11 oz. – Caught October 20, 1949 – Chippewa Flowage, Sawyer County
Northern Pike - 38 lbs. – Caught August 6, 1952 – Lake Puckaway, Green Lake County
Pumpkinseed – 1 lb. 2 oz. – Caught May 27, 2003 – Big Round Lake, Polk County
Chinook Salmon – 44 lbs. 15 oz. – Caught July 19, 1994 – Lake Michigan, Door County
Walleye – 18 lbs. – Caught September 16, 1933 – High Lake, Vilas County
And congratulations to Roger Hellen on his Wisconsin and World record Brown Trout! See video below…
For more Wisconsin State Fish Records click here.
If you enjoyed your visit please subscribe by entering your email in the box below for regular updates. Thank you! -TWT
The Jimmys Band will be at Toffler’s Pub & Grill in New Glarus, Wisconsin on May 3rd at 8:00 p.m. – fun times and great music!!!
Brat Fest is Memorial Weekend in Madison, click here for more details. This is a great Wisconsin event and the best part, they are raising money for charity!
Hugs are possibly the only form of greeting in Wisconsin.
— Amy Marie (@AmiieMarie) April 21, 2012
Only in Wisconsin is it normal to sing a song about kegs and beer during a baseball game
— Mike Yablong (@mikeyablong) April 21, 2012
Only in #Wisconsin do you get news headlines like this.yfrog.com/oegmsdej#cows
— Tim Farley (@krelnik) April 20, 2012
Wisconsin Brew Beer Soap – Made With Miller Light Lager: This bar is unscented, but has a natural hops aroma. Re… amzn.to/sdm61Z
— Dorothea Willms (@Dorotheazbf) April 21, 2012
Only in Wisconsin is it appropriate to bring Beer Dip to work lol
— Kymberly (@Kymberly4evatru) April 17, 2012
Happy Friday Wisconsin! Join me today as we discuss some unique things to do in Wisconsin this summer, DNR news , Sports, some fun Wisconsin events and our featured small business. Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #14 - April 20, 2012 [ 18:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (25)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
Source: johnsonville.com via Johnsonville on Pinterest
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms from Johnsonville! Did you know that Johnsonville is a Wisconsin Company? Click here for the Sausage Stuffed Mushroom recipe and a lot more great recipes from Johnsonville! So you’re wondering if I am getting paid to promote Johnsonville? Nope, just trying to promote a Wisconsin business
When we were kids our parents used to take us to the drive-in movie theater, we’d pile in the station wagon in our pajamas with our sleeping bags and pillows, it was always so much fun. Below is a list of drive-in movie theaters in Wisconsin, load up the kids and go see a movie!
Star Dust Twin Drive-In Theater – Chetek
Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre – Jefferson
Skyway Drive-In Theatre – Fish Creek
Field of Scenes Drive-In Theater – Freedom
Big Sky Drive-In Theater – Wisconsin Dells
Gemini Drive-In Theater – Eau Claire
Keno Drive-In Theater – Pleasant Prairie
Moonlight Outdoor Theater – Shawano
Sky Vu Drive-In Movie Theatre – Monroe
Starlight 14 Drive-In Theater – Richland Center
The intermission cartoons are pretty cute too, remember this one?
This is my latest addition to my forest trail. I’m hoping some lucky toad finds it! In Wisconsin we have the Eastern American Toad.
Last year I kept finding toads in our window wells going to the basement, I kept taking them out and taking them to the woods and the next day they would be right back in there again. I’m ready this year, I’ll just take them to their new house!
For more information on the Eastern American Toad click here. To listen to their call click here.
Here’s what they look like, kind of pretty, in a weird sort of way!
I’ll let you know if we have any new renters anytime soon!
Had to give my support to the dudein the Packers sweatshirt at the Twins game. #wisconsinite
— Chelsea Ruka (@chelsearuka) April 12, 2012
Beer tasting in a grocery store – only in #Wisconsin twitter.com/Madtown_Mark/s…
— Mark Andersen (@Madtown_Mark) April 13, 2012
You know you live in Wisconsin when your moms yelling “CHEESE” trying to bride the dogs to come inside.
— Kelsey Jahn (@KelsJahn) April 13, 2012
Sometimes you just feel like farm ‘n fleet should hire you as a model because of how amazing you look in carhartts. #farmalicious #Sconnie
— Charissa Wright (@Moothie73) April 9, 2012
Yep! Only in Wisconsin!!!”@WAOW: Machinery rolls in for Bring Your Tractor to School Day in Auburndale bit.ly/IiRqQ8“
— Melanie K (@UW_Mezzo) April 13, 2012
Only in Wisconsin would a full grown man get away with wearing a Green Bay Packers jersey to Easter brunch.By the way, it wasn’t me.:)
— Kit Pierce (@thekitpierce) April 8, 2012
Happy Friday Wisconsin! Join me today as we discuss some unique gardening tips, DNR news , Sports, some fun Wisconsin events and our featured small business (zip lines!). Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #13 - April 13, 2012 [ 20:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (37)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
Spring fishing clinics take place April 14th in Wisconsin this year, click here for a flyer listing the locations for the clinics.
This is such a great story, I just had to share it with you! If you’re interested in adopting a pet visit http://www.wihumane.org/
Richard Ira “Dick” Bong (September 24, 1920 – August 6, 1945)
Richard Bong, a true Wisconsin hero, he grew up on a farm in Polar, Wisconsin. He is the United States’ highest scoring air ace, having shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II. He was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
He certainly is not forgotten, and rightly so, Richard Bong is the namesake of the Richard Bong State Recreation Area on the site of what was to be Bong Air Force Base in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge along US Route 2 in the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, the Richard I. Bong Airport in Superior, the Bong Barracks of the Aviation Challenge program, the Richard I. Bong Bridge in Townsville, Australia, the Major Richard Ira Bong Squadron of the Arnold Air Society at the University of Wisconsin, the Richard Bong Theatre in Misawa, Japan and the 613th Air and Space Operations Center, Thirteenth Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. There are Bong avenues on the former site of the decommissioned Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base, on Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, on Luke AFB in Glendale, Arizona on ElmendorfAFB in Anchorage, Alaska and on Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan.
If you would like to learn more about Richard Bong the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center (originally the Bong ‘World War II Heritage Center’) opened to the public in Superior, Wisconsin in 2002. Housed in a structure intended to resemble an aircraft hangar, it contains a museum, a film screening room, and a P-38 Lightning restored to resemble Bong’s plane. Visit www.bvhcenter.org
This Wisconsin native plant, Wild Strawberry (Fragaria spp.), fruits attract 53 species of birds, including Northern Flicker, Wood Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Towhee, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.
Not only is this native plant great for the birds but we can eat it too! They are quite a bit smaller than commercially grown strawberries but this tiny little fruit packs a lot of flavor.
They can be found in shady areas in the woods or growing along side the road in the ditches. The Wild Strawberry flowers appear in April and May. By June and July the berries are ready for picking. This is a perfect berry for making preserves.
The picture to the left is what you should be looking for in April and May, then check back in a few months and you should have berries, that is if the birds don’t get to them first!
Guy walking around coffee shop giving out free squeaky #cheese curds ’cause its the #Brewers opener. Not a promo just a dude. #Wisconsin #fb
— Michael Perry (@SneezingCow) April 6, 2012
Living the dream in Wisconsin right now – family, sun, brats and beer. Good times!
— Mike Sturgis (@mikesturgis) April 6, 2012
Nothing beats real Wisconsin cheese curds. Nothing.
— Liz (@ElisabethLucile) April 6, 2012
@japeters3 “I miss Wisconsin. Where the roads are free and the beer is delicious.”
— Kristi Hammond (@kristihammond) April 6, 2012
So hungover this morning that i said i wasnt gonna drink tonight. now im already a beer and a shot in. ON Wisconsin.
— Andrew Mackens (@Lumberjack_Mack) April 6, 2012
Only in Wisconsin do you have to worry about hitting a horse as you pull out of your driveway…
— Monique Scheidler (@MoniqueMarie95) April 5, 2012
You know you’re from Wisconsin when your grandma sends you cheese for easter. #cheeseheadforlife
— Natalie Lehrer (@natlehrer) April 5, 2012
“Would you like a horny goat or a spotted cow?” LMFAO. Wisconsin beer has the weirdest names. #forrealthough
— Sydney(: (@Sydney_Ann15) April 4, 2012
The Wisconsin referendum on the appropriate ratio of beer to brats, however, remains too close to call.
— Ed Demaria (@Eddie_Dynamite) April 4, 2012
@datachick You need to see softball played in Wisconsin. For some tournaments, holding a beer is required.
— Dustin Mueller (@sqlcheesecake) April 4, 2012
almost hit a cow driving home…only in wisconsin.put that thing on a leash
— donna kramer (@donnaekramer) April 5, 2012
Happy Friday Wisconsin! Join me today as we discuss wild edibles in Wisconsin, DNR news (important news about the gypsy moth), Sports (Brewers Home Opener!), some fun Wisconsin events and our featured small business. Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #12 - April 6, 2012 [ 22:08 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (73)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
Photo by tiny banquet committee
Fiddleheads are a delicious wild plant that are found in the spring in Wisconsin. The ostrich fern fiddlehead is the most popular delicacy, they taste a bit like asparagus. They can usually be found in most areas along streams and rivers. Ostrich fern fiddleheads are about an inch in diameter and have a brown, papery, scale-like covering on the uncoiled fern and a smooth fern stem.
Here is a great video from the University of Maine (yep, they grow there too!) to help you with proper identification…
To prepare fiddleheads boil in water for 10 minutes and then blanch them to stop the cooking process. Always boil or steam for at least 10 minutes, because they can carry a toxic substance that produces food poisoning symptoms in some people, if they are not well-cooked.
Here are a few recipes for fiddleheads…
Fiddlehead Ferns and Angel Hair Pasta
If you enjoyed your visit please subscribe by entering your email in the box below for regular updates. Thank you! -TWT
Ah the hunt for the elusive Morel Mushroom is on! Spring in Wisconsin is so much fun, morels, ramps, fiddleheads, our forests are overflowing with wonderful wild things to eat. When it comes to mushrooms the morel is the king, in my opinion, the flavor is amazing, once you’ve eaten a morel you’ll be a morel hunter for life!
Find morels can be a bit tricky, in my neck of the woods (northwestern Wisconsin), it is believed the morels come out when the lilacs bloom. However, this spring has been anything but ordinary and with a little rain I wouldn’t be surprised to see morels a bit sooner than the lilacs. According to www.morels.com there have been sightings of morels in southern Wisconsin as of today but the central northern areas haven’t seen much. The most common places to find morels are near dead elm trees, south facing slopes and semi-moist areas with a decent canopy. They like a little sun but not too much, quite often you’ll find them under trees close to the trunk. Oh how I wish it was that easy, just when you think you have it figured out you’ll find one among a group of pine trees or near a fruit tree. I even found one growing right next to my black walnut tree!
Obviously when hunting any wild edible identification is very important and there are false morels out there. One trick that really helps me to be sure is to cut them open, lengthwise, and if you have a true morel it will be hollow inside. Click here for a great website that will help you with proper identification.
Hunting morels is the tricky part, cooking them is the easy part! They have a flavor all their own and there’s no need to add to it or cover it up. My all-time favorite way to eat morels is to saute them in a little butter with a big fat juicy steak cooked over an open fire but here are a few more recipes if steak isn’t your thing…
Roast Chicken with Morels and Onions
Turkey Tenderloin with Morel Mushroom Sauce
Here is a great time-lapse video of morels growing in the wild…
This You Tube video was produced by Chris Matherly, for more of videos by Chris click here.
If you enjoyed your visit please subscribe by entering your email in the box below for regular updates. Thank you! -TWT
This is the life cycle of the gypsy moth, this is one critter you don’t want in your yard. The gypsy moth was brought to America in 1869 and has been spreading steadily westward ever since. They finally reached Wisconsin in the late 1980′s.
Eggs are laid in August and the embryo immediately starts developing during the warm days of summer. In a month, the tiny larva is fully formed and ready to hatch. At this point, however, the larva goes into diapause, shutting down metabolic activities and becoming insensitive to cold. In suspended animation, the larva passes the winter within the egg. As temperatures increase in early spring, the larva inside the egg slowly becomes more active. In mid-May, just as the leaves of trees are expanding, the larva chews through the egg shell and hatches.
Gypsy moth is an invasive, leaf-eating insect that can feed on most types of trees and shrubs found in North America. When their populations are high, gypsy moth caterpillars can strip an entire neighborhood or forest of leaves in May and June.
In Wisconsin the Department of Natural Resources has many resources available to educate the public about the gypsy moth, click here for a very informative pdf you can print for identification and how to deal with these pests. You can also visit www.gypsymoth.wi.gov for more information.
If you’re still not convinced how nasty these critters are check out the video below, this was from four years ago!
Ramps (aka Wild Leeks) are up in Wisconsin now, they are an onion that grows in the wild, along streams and rivers. The tops look somewhat like Lily-of-the-Valley, you can easily tell by smelling them, if you have ramps, obviously they smell like onions. Notice in the picture above a hint of burgundy color just below the leaves, this will also help you with proper identification. They are a bit stronger than a regular table onion so use them sparingly. Below are links for recipes using ramps…
Salmon with Spring Leeks in a Wild Mushroom Wine Sauce
Roasted Chicken, Ramps & Potatoes
If you enjoyed your visit please subscribe by entering your email in the box below for regular updates. Thank you! -TWT
If you would like to be part of this fun event be at the corner of Madison Street and Forest Street in Eau Claire, Wisconsin at 3 pm today!
Here are a few of our favorite funny tweets from Wisconsin from this last week….enjoy!
My daughter is definitely from Wisconsin… She learned how to say “cheese” before she learned how to say “mom”
— Kevin Rowe (@thekevinrowe) March 30, 2012
“@NOTZackGreinke1: Wisconsin is the only place where 20,000 people could be entertained by oversized hotdogs in a race.” Damn right!
— HotDog (@4_HotDog) March 30, 2012
Did I just out parmesan cheese on top of my macaroni and cheese? Yes, yes I did. #Wisconsinite
— Brett Brusky (@untaxed) March 30, 2012
I think I uttered/did the most Sconnie thing ever, “Hi honey, they had a block of cheese on sale for $1 so I got you some”.
— ladywezen (@ladywezen) March 29, 2012
Just saw someone with the license plate “cow chip” only in wisconsin haha
— Kaelyb Lokrantz (@KLopantz) March 29, 2012
as a sconnie, it was my life mission to find “a bar”, my own cheers.and now that I have one, it’s everything I thought it would be & more
— tastiest of noms(@tastiestofnoms) March 28, 2012
After living here for 2 years, I finally encountered my first sober Wisconsinite today.
— Classichoft(@milltownwilliam) March 26, 2012
Happy Friday Wisconsin! Join me today as we discuss hidden treasures in Wisconsin, DNR news (important news if you are a land owner), Sports, some fun Wisconsin events (including a really fun April Fools Day event!) and our featured small business. Don’t forget we have some awesome blues music in the podcast too!
The Wisconsin Times Podcast - Episode #11 - Mar. 30, 2012 [ 22:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (41)Show Notes:
We just want to say a big Thank You to all of our listeners, we appreciate each and every one of you! Take care! -TWT
