Photos: Discovering nature on a morning hike at Sibley State Park
Visitors are able to get up close with some of the natural beauty at Sibley State Park by taking a nature hike.
Sibley State Park naturalist Savannah Stephenson points out the underside of a mushroom to Charlotte and Phoenix Whitfield during a morning nature hike at the park Sept. 3, 2023.
SPICER
鈥� Before the late summer heat arrived Sunday a small group of nature lovers gathered at
Sibley State Park
for a morning nature hike around the park's Pond View Interpretive Trail.
Led by park naturalist Savannah Stephenson and intern Emma Pace, visitors were taught about several species of plants, trees, insects and animals that call the state park home. Over the 0.75-mile hike through woodlands, grasslands and wetlands, hikers learned about the park's burr oaks, various wildflowers, how to identify poison ivy and how all the animals and plants work together to create a special environment.
ADVERTISEMENT
The nature hike is just one of many events and programs held at Sibley State Park throughout the year. More information about the park and upcoming events can be found on the park's
.
Various flowers, grasses and trees make up the landscape at Sibley State Park on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023.
Sibley State Park naturalist Savannah Stephenson, left, shows an insect to Jon, Bella, Phoenix and Charlotte Whitfield of Willmar on Sept. 3, 2023. The family had just recently moved to the area from Arizona and came to the Morning Nature Hike at Sibley to learn about the landscape in west central Minnesota.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
A duck rests in the Sibley State Park wetland, surrounded by tall grasses, on Sept. 3, 2023.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
Sibley State Park intern Emma Pace talks about the leadplant found at the park during the morning nature hike Sept. 3, 2023.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
Savannah Stephenson, Sibley Park naturalist, shows visitors late blooming wildflowers along the park's Pond View Interpretive Trail on Sept. 3, 2023.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
A bumblebee crawls over ragweed blooms in search of pollen at Sibley State Park on Sept. 3, 2023.
Fishing piers and boat ramps were buzzing with excitement at the crack of dawn on Saturday as Bemidji-area anglers got out on the water to participate in the Minnesota fishing opener.
The seasons played a cruel April Fool's joke on the region this week as the weather went from mild and sunny to a full-blown snowstorm in a matter of days.
Norman and Wally Jarius listen closely on the morning nature hike at Sibley State Park on Sept. 3, 2023.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
A small toad was rescued from the walking trail during the morning nature hike at Sibley State Park on Sept. 3, 2023. The toad was put back into the grass after being closely examined by the youngest hikers.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
Turtles rest on a log in the pond by the interpretive center at Sibley State Park on Sept. 3, 2023.
Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
Share
Share this article
News Reporting
News Reporting
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Shelby Lindrud is a reporter with the West Central Tribune of Willmar. Her focus areas are arts and entertainment, agriculture, features writing and the Kandiyohi County Board.
The Trust Project
