Best Chuck Lura Podcasts (2024)

1
Waterfowl Production Areas in North Dakota 2:36

3h ago2:36

2:36

Traveling across North Dakota, particularly areas northeast of the Missouri River, you'll occasionally see signs near wetlands that identify the area as a Waterfowl Production Area, or WPA.By Chuck Lura

1
Coneflowers on the prairie 2:45

4h ago2:45

2:45

This time of year, the prairie landscape is awash in color. Two of the more commonly known wildflowers, prairie coneflower and purple coneflower, will soon be flowering across the state.By Chuck Lura

1
Starry Nights 2:37

14d ago2:37

2:37

When was the last time you laid back and savored the cosmos on a warm summer night? The stars, of course, are brightest during a clear night with a new moon. There was a new moon on July 5, so we are heading toward a full moon on July 21.By Chuck Lura

1
Reproductive Strategies in Plants 2:45

7d ago2:45

2:45

I mentioned in last week’s Natural North Dakota that estimates for how many seeds a cottonwood tree could produce in a year may range up to 48 million. Clearly all those small seeds do not develop into cottonwood trees. But a very small number do fall on the ground with the right conditions of soil, moisture, sunlight, little competition, and other…

1
Cottonwood Trees 2:56

14d ago2:56

2:56

If the cottonwoods in your area have not started releasing their cotton, they will be soon. It is that time of year!By Chuck Lura

1
Seeing yellow-headed blackbirds in North Dakota 2:56

21d ago2:56

2:56

If you spend time around marshes during the summer months you are likely to become familiar with the yellow-headed blackbird. The name of this bird is quite descriptive, but it is occasionally referred to (with tongue firmly in cheek) as a “black bodied yellow bird.”

1
International Peace Garden 2:37

1M ago2:37

2:37

I encourage you to consider a trip to the International Peace Garden this summer. There is much to see and do there, including exploring a little Natural North Dakota and Manitoba in the Turtle Mountain aspen forest.By Chuck Lura

1
Identifying and treating poison ivy and skunk spray 2:36

2M ago2:36

2:36

Summer is upon us! It seems that every year, questions come up on how to identify poison ivy, and what to do if a dog has been sprayed by a skunk. A little reminder of identification of poison ivy and treatment of skunk spray might be helpful.By Chuck Lura

1
Have you seen a smooth green snake? 2:44

2M ago2:44

2:44

The Amphibians and Reptiles of North Dakota website lists eight species of snakes documented in the state. I assume that most North Dakotans are familiar with many of these snakes, but I suspect that few have ever heard of or seen a smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis).By Chuck Lura

1
Birdwatching tools you should know 2:35

2M ago2:35

2:35

Whether it's watching robins in the yard, seeing an eagle soar overhead, or trying to identify a bird making that sweet call from some thick brush, birds seem to draw our interest. But many among us may not be aware of a couple aids that can help enhance our birding experiences.By Chuck Lura

1
Ring-billed gulls 2:41

2M ago2:41

2:41

I was perusing Robert Stewart’s Breeding Birds of North Dakota (1975) recently and noticed that he listed three species of gulls nesting in the state: California, Franklin’s, and ring-billed. He also noted that herring gulls were nesting on Stump Lake back in 1884.By Chuck Lura

1
Keystone Species 2:54

3M ago2:54

2:54

A keystone species can be loosely defined as a species that has a disproportionately large effect on a community. They are critical components. They hold things together. And their removal from a community can set off a series of events that change the community into something quite different.By Chuck Lura

1
Seeing spring wildflowers in North Dakota 3:02

3M ago3:02

3:02

If the pasque flowers are not in bloom near you, they will be soon. And there are other wildflowers as well, including Draba and prairie smoke. Beauty often comes in small packages, and the spring wildflowers will help brighten your day.By Chuck Lura

1
Trees are declaring spring 2:42

3M ago2:42

2:42

One of the common signs of spring is when we look up at the trees and see something different up there. The trees must be leafing out! Spring is officially here! But much of what we see up there is more likely flowers.

1
Saving native grasslands and grassland birds 2:54

3M ago2:54

2:54

Both grasslands and birds are rapidly decreasing in Canada — less than 15% of the native grasslands remain. To address the issue, Birds Canada has developed the Bird-Friendliness Index.By Chuck Lura

1
Lyrids and Eta Aquarids Meteor Showers 3:00

4M ago3:00

3:00

If you like to watch falling stars, this next month or so is a good time to see them. The Lyrids meteor shower will start soon, and it overlaps with the Eta Aquarids meteor shower. Between the two, the show will run to the end of May.By Chuck Lura

1
Richardson's Ground Squirrel 2:31

4M ago2:31

2:31

Shortly after beginning their journey down the Missouri River in April of 1805 after spending the winter at Fort Mandan, Meriwether Lewis wrote in his journal about an animal that Captain Clark had recently observed: “Captain Clark walked on shore today and informed on his return, that passing through the prairie he had seen an animal that precisel…

1
Get out and enjoy spring! 2:42

4M ago2:42

2:42

It seems that every year when spring comes around, we are ready to go outdoors. Nature has much to offer, but all too often summer arrives, and we realize we did not get to enjoy the spring like we had hoped.By Chuck Lura

1
The Coteau Slope 2:51

4M ago2:51

2:51

The next time you travel on Highway 83 between Minot and Bismarck, or other areas along the east side of the Missouri River, take a closer look at the landscape of the Coteau Slope.

1
Spring is (almost) here! 2:11

4M ago2:11

2:11

The short days of winter are starting to fade away as the days continue to lengthen. And next Wednesday, March 20, is the spring equinox.By Chuck Lura

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Chuck Lura Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Natural North Dakota

Prairie Public

1
Waterfowl Production Areas in North Dakota 2:36

1
Coneflowers on the prairie 2:45

1
Starry Nights 2:37

1
Reproductive Strategies in Plants 2:45

1
Cottonwood Trees 2:56

1
Seeing yellow-headed blackbirds in North Dakota 2:56

1
International Peace Garden 2:37

1
Identifying and treating poison ivy and skunk spray 2:36

1
Have you seen a smooth green snake? 2:44

1
Birdwatching tools you should know 2:35

1
Ring-billed gulls 2:41

1
Keystone Species 2:54

1
Seeing spring wildflowers in North Dakota 3:02

1
Trees are declaring spring 2:42

1
Saving native grasslands and grassland birds 2:54

1
Lyrids and Eta Aquarids Meteor Showers 3:00

1
Richardson's Ground Squirrel 2:31

1
Get out and enjoy spring! 2:42

1
The Coteau Slope 2:51

1
Spring is (almost) here! 2:11

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