NEBRASKAland Articles

A story of survival and luck during World War II in the South China Sea. By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska U.S. Navy Ensign John Doyle’s chances of surviving World War II seemed bleak on Nov. 25, 1944, as he struggled to hold his burning dive bomber on target over the South China Sea,” writes Samuel Van Pelt. “While attacking a Japanese heavy cruiser, anti-aircraft fire damaged his plane, but Doyle still managed to release his bomb and score a …

Situated along the Elkhorn River, Red Wing Wildlife Management Area is a haven for wildlife. Story and photos by  Eric Fowler Dams, diversions and development have changed many rivers in Nebraska. The Elkhorn River is not one of them. It still winds its way through the northeastern Nebraska countryside, its channel slowly shifting course from year to year. During floods, those shifts can be drastic. That is what happened sometime early in the 20th century at what would, in 1977, …

A wildlife biologist at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge shares his perspectives on one of his favorite pastimes: hunting prairie grouse. By Justin Haag Melvin Nenneman knows birds. As wildlife biologist for the 71,516-acre Valentine National Wildlife Refuge the past 21 years, he’s become familiar with flying creatures that range in size from the huge pelicans cruising the shallow lakes to minute grasshopper sparrows flittering about the rolling, grass-covered dunes. He and his coworkers strive to preserve and maintain the …

Blend observation and art to appreciate the natural world. By Grace Gaard, Aquatic Ecology Education Specialist The month of October is notoriously busy no matter what you’re involved in: Hunting seasons begin, sports are in full swing, camping weather is wonderful, and everyone is soaking up the last of fall’s warmer weather. During this time of so much transition and activity, do you ever take a deep breath and slow down? As an artist and an outdoor enthusiast, I find …

Ants raise aphids to harvest their sugar-rich waste secretions known as honeydew. By Tyler Moore, Bellevue University With more than 15,000 described species of ants, as noted in “Bolton’s Catalogue of the Ants of the World,” these organisms are among the world’s most successful and represent a total estimated biomass of 12 megatons. They have also long been the subject of amateur naturalists and scientists, with perhaps no behavior more intriguing than the “farming” of aphids. Aphids are commonly known …

Meet the star of Schramm Education Center. By Renae Blum Meet the star of Schramm Education Center’s aquarium, Big Snap Daddy. Weighing 98 pounds, he is considered the world’s largest common snapping turtle. He is also estimated to be over 90 years old. In the wild, common snapping turtles live an average of 30 years and grow to be about 35 pounds. Learn more about this remarkable creature from Schramm Park superintendent and aquarium director Tony Korth. How did Big …

Cattails are aggressively invading many of our state’s best aquatic habitats. Story and photos by Chris Helzer Most people reading this probably look at wetlands or lakes with dense accumulations of cattails without thinking twice. After all, cattails are native to Nebraska, and they’re a perfectly normal and healthy part of a wetland ecosystem. Right? I have bad news. An evil transformation has taken place right beneath our noses. Cattails are no longer benign wetland plants that accent the margins …

The Baysdorfer brothers built and few Nebraska’s first plane. By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska When Charles Baysdorfer prepared for takeoff near Waterloo, he was piloting a homebuilt biplane on its maiden flight, but he hadn’t taken any lessons or flown in an airplane before. Manufactured planes and professional training were hard to come by in 1910. On that day, Nov. 21, however, Baysdorfer became the first Nebraskan pilot and the first to fly a Nebraska-built plane. No one who …

Nine Nebraska parks for fall camping By Renae Blum Fall has returned with cool breezes, turning leaves and plentiful opportunities to get outdoors. Here are nine Nebraska state park or recreation areas that are prime spots to book a stay and enjoy a fall getaway. Niobrara State Park Niobrara State Park is a hidden gem in north-central Nebraska overlooking the confluence of the Missouri and Niobrara rivers; it’s perfect for relaxing and recharging in a peaceful, natural setting. This park …

The scenery alone is worth a trip to this spot in the Pine Ridge. Don’t forget the fishing rod, though. Story and photos by Justin Haag Without knowing better, the name might lead some to assume Sowbelly Creek is a stream of manure oozing from a pig farm. Far from it. The clear, babbling brook between rugged sandstone buttes in Sioux County represents the best attributes of northwestern Nebraska’s Pine Ridge. If it were not located in one of the …