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Happening
at the Crossroads
September 8,
2008
by Coggin
Heeringa
This
time of year, most of Big Creek disappears, but in the cedar forest at
Crossroads, water trickles from cracks in the bedrock so the
creek keeps flowing even during dry periods. After a serious rain,
water gushes from between bedrock bedding planes.
Though unaware
of karst geology and fractured rock aquifers, wild birds somehow
know to come to Big Creek to drink. At least the birds that actually
drink water visit the creek on regular basis. Not all do.
Dehydration
is not a problem for hummingbirds. They consume more than enough liquid
in the form of nectar. Small songbirds seem to get enough to
liquid from their food [even "dry" seeds contain moisture]
supplemented by dewdrops.
Swallows skim water from the surface as they swoop over lakes. Pelicans just open their beaks and collect a pouch full of rain.
Most
songbirds of this region drink water using a technique called "sky
pointing". They gulp a mouthful of water and then tilt their beaks
upward so gravity can help the tongue and muscles swallow. This is most
easily done from a standing position, and the stepping stones in Big
Creek are ideal for this process. [Birders take note!]
The same
geologic features which provide drinking and bath water for birds
also contain the water that we humans use for drinking.
Tuesday,
September 16, The Door County Environmental Council brings Maureen
Muldoon, PhD to Crossroads at 7:00 pm. She will discuss "Threats
to Your Drinking Water." The associate professor from the University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh is an award-winner for her work in water quality
monitoring in fractured rock aquifers. Her PhD research was conducted
right here in Door County. So she knows what what is in your
drinking water.
All kids are special! We at Crossroads have
believed that since our inception. So are delighted to offer our
facilities and and paths to P.A.T.H. (Promoting Access To Help
for Families with Special Needs) and Autism Support of Door
County which will hold their "All Kids Are Special Walk" on Saturday,
September 13 from 10:00-2:00 at Crossroads. (Registration begins at
9:30 am)
This walk enables families to enjoy nature, will
raise awareness about the issues affecting children with special
needs, and will raise money for programs and services for
children and their families living in Door County. The $20 entry fee
($40 for families) includes lunch, a tee-shirt, and a raffle ticket. At
the end of the trail, participants will find music, food,
and games for children, and the Wisconsin Wildlife Exhibit will
be open. The trails and learning center at Crossroads are fully
accessible. To register, go to www.sturgeonbaymoravian.org and click on
P.A.T.H.
Crossroads at Big Creek is a historical and
environmental learning preserve located in at 2041 Michigan Street
(County TT) in Sturgeon Bay. The Collins Learning Center and Wisconsin
Wildlife exhibit are open 2:00-5:00 daily.
Crossroads
at Big Creek is located at the intersection of Highway 42/57 and
Michigan in Sturgeon Bay. The trails are free and open to people and their keen-nosed pets - if the pets are on leash and
under control. The Wisconsin Wildlife Exhibit in the Collins Learning
Center is open to the public 2:00-5:00 daily.
Many of
the Past News articles may be retrieved from this directory,
indexed and named in the following manner: 080101-news.htm
where
the first two numbers are the year, the second two the month and the
last two the date.
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