Iowa Outdoors 2011 V70 N01.Pdf
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- • - -- - - - - - ----~--·-----.... - - HAWKEYIIIY 1/SH/NGASSOC/AT/ON~ .. 37TH ANNUAL HFFA FLY FISHING SHOW ... FEBRUARY 25-27,2011 ... Bald Eagle Ramada Tropics Resort & Conference Center Af>preciation Days Interstate 35/ 80 and Merle Hay Rd, Des M oines, /A Jan. 15,16, 2011 _,.~ Fea turing... Larry Dahlberg Chris Helm, Bill Sherer, a nd Specia l Conservation Guest ... Ron Cisar Vendors, Raffles, You th Program, Prizes, Demonstrations, Presentations, and Great Discussions about Fly Tying, Fly Fishing, and Iowa Conservation Issues Fri 5:30-9:00 $5 • Sat 8:00-4:00 $10 • Sun 8:00-12:00 $5 Kids Admitted Free!! Marsha II town , .... ., - r ) • ;,f ,_ .. .... <"r: -. ~ 'Y -... - • • Snowmobilers • • Cross Crountry Skiers ( - • Corporate Retreats ".. f • Quilters • Family Getaways J .. - • Weekend Getaways • Valentine Specials ~~TlJR4/ ()' ~ .. - rrr '' ~I ~~.. ~"} I " Group rates available through April L 2011 (Some Exclusions Apply) You'll want to stay forever! Near Marquette, lA .z (877) 77 6-2208 ; [email protected] ,. KENNETH G. LIBBRECHT Originally from North ORS JANUARY I FEBRUARY 2011 · VOLU ME 70 • ISSUE 1 Dakota. author and Professor Kenneth c;, STAFF l.ibbrt·t·ht chairs the Brtan Button - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF phvsics deparnnent at Alan Foster- MANAGING EDITOR laltcch in Pasadena Jacob Zweibohmer- ART DIRECTOR wht'rc he teaches Jessie Brown - COPY EDITOR and conducts research 111 gr.witational-wavt Joe Wt lktnson- WRITER/ PHOTOGRAPHER signals from violent astrophystcal events such Clay Smith - PHOTOGRAPHER as supernovae ancl black holes. He also studies Ju lie Tack - MARKETING AND PUBLICITY tiH? physics of crystal growth undrr controllNl I Kevtn Basktns COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CHIEF conditions Hts imagt shaw ctppeared in '\Jature, "'ctence, Audubon O...,nuthsonian and dozens STATE PRESERVES ADVISORY BOARD Dennis Schemmel, Grimes oi sctenufic journals. \\ mner of the '\Jational Deborah LeWIS CHAIR, Iowa City Margo Underwood, Mason Ci ty Outdoor Book Award in 200·1 for TI1e Snozcjlakl" Stephen Dtnsmore, Ames ENVIRONMENTAL Winters Secret Reautv" his images have been Armando Rosales, Atlantic PROTECTION COMMISSION printed 3 btlhon times as a s<.>t of four postal Inger Lamb, Polk Crty Charlotte Hubbell - CHAIR, Des Moanes stamps, sttll availabl< at www usps. com Carl Kurtz, St Anthony Marty Sttmson- VICE-CHAIR, Cedar Raprds under holida} snowfl,tkt•s His website. Patricta L. Boddy, Des Mornes Lynn Alex, Iowa Cr t y Lorna Puntlllo- SECRETARY, Sioux Ctty www.snowcrystals.com won the American Paul Johnson, Decorah Library Association great web sttes for kids NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION David Petty, Eldora and dozens of other awards. Gregory Drees- CHAIR, Arnolds Park Susan Heathcote, Des Mornes Tammi Kircher VICE· CHAIR, Keokuk Gene VerSteeg, Inwood DIANE MICHAUD R. Kim Francisco- SECRETARY, Lucas Dee Bruemmer, Davenport LOWRY 1s an Aml's Janelle Retttg, Iowa City John Glenn Centerville photographer and avid Elizabeth Garst, Coon Raprds year-round kayaker. SUBSCRIBER SERVICES 800.361 .8072 '-lhe's paddled coastal areas. Lake Supenor ADVERTISING OFFICE Larson Enterpnses, () 1 I HSC'l at 515.440.281 0 or [email protected] and most of Iowa. She ts ..._~~~.:a......;:. a member of The Skunk DNR EXECUTIVE STAFF River Paddlers. 'llw Iowa \\1tilt'water Coalition PatrtCLa L Boddy- INTERIM DIRECTOR and Central Iowa Padclll'rs. DIVISION ADMINISTRATORS Cindy Axne- MANAGEMENT SERVICES • Diane Ford CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SANDY FLAHIVE 1s Wayne Gteselman- ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES a lh s \loines wntt r DNR Central Office 51 S.281 .5918 • TTY users contact Relay Iowa 800.735.2942 \\ho likes getting ,,, ~ t ~ t in her Jeep and f 1 l p t q p 1d M SUBSCRIPTION RATES S1 S FOR ONE YEAR, meandenng around 524 FOR TWO YEARS ANO $30 FOR THREE YEARS PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. rna 1 nq t I r r n Wdl 1 d JdCI h IN] POSTMASTER Iowa. d iscovering the och g ' 1 1 F l'o•'I46.. RedC I lA I 4 PI l l ,j <t•IP '<'qU dl "' r roh t T ' r h1dden gems that lay t. l ' d r t bl t ' erlPttyr in Its many nooks and " bPen <J m • tl t f • cranmes. She also enjoys spending time at • t t ~ ' Eq ~ her remote cabin n< ar ....,tephens State Forest tn southern Iowa. DNR MISSION SHOW YOUR SUPPORT lo (.on ...... _. rv~ ,md cnhanet our n.trur:tl r, !-.uUr{t·~ tn "·oopt•ra• llu l t'\fi \'.rl r ..,t >It ufft'r' app r .<nd grits tron \\Jth 10di\'rduab and or!(anr.t.rllun' tu .rnpruw tht• quality \\ rlh pro lit• fur p;,rb Order onhne at TY SMEDES IS a uf hk tnr Iowan' and ensun· a lt-gacy for lulun · J(t•rwratron' ww" " "' .m.llun ·Lon rom or 1~%6-410-11230 fu ll -tune wnter and EDITORIAL MISSION photographer from SUBSCRIBER SERVICES Wt• slrin· lo Ol>t'O lht' door Lo tht bt•iluty o iiHiuniqut'llt'~S To sulhnib, or lor any subscnplron "'"''' ur Urbandale Pub nl Iowa's natural resouret•s. llhJlllt· Jlt'<>Jtlt• Lo gt'l oubide qut·,trnn,, r.rll 1 800.361 .8072 \londay throu)(h I· nd.r} lished m dozens of .md t'XJll rit'nCt' Iowa and to li\Ulovall' nutdnor-nundt'd frum 7 a 111 tn 11 I) m or w~t:kend"' Ram tu h p rn \ 1t1zt ""' to und~r..,tand nd l·art u r our lt.~tural rt• ...ource' fur t•.tst .n proll sc:. utg p lt.·a..,t" ha\'t" .m ........ ut' \\llh magazines. his work a mar ling lahd av.ulabll' at Limt' of ,·all To purdt.l>< MAKE A DIFFERENCE mdudes Images of .1 >rnRit•to \ ' r s· <' "~ 1'>--"1 S!lli< I ht 1\t•epers o l !ht' I " pr og 11 11 ' lws \'olunteers wildlife. wildfiO\\- \\ ath natural n·... ourc:c M·rv.:n nt t dos stalt•\\iidt• LEARN MORE ers and sctntc...,, along with )o\\a's cultural G.-<' back to Iowa's l.uul' " ttt·rs anrl skol, Our "' bpago·, www.1owodnr.gov 1, loaded w tlh events. He teachl•s photograph} classes ancl ( .oil 515-21! 1-0!!78 to mah:h } our mtt·rcsts "rth llt'l'd' mfnrnMhon foa .til ugt·~ and nt:t:d' Buy lic:t'n-.t·os. n '''f\t or v1s1t W\\'W kt-t·pt:r o l ht·l.md urg l·amp,lh.40i or h•.1r n mort• .1bout our t:O\ wronnwnt onhn(' leads photo-tours to tht l~astern Sierras and Afnca His new t'offtoe-table book. "Captur HOW TO DONATE <. haritable g iving o f land funds, and l(nnds and wg Iowa's Seasons," ts sold al 1-866-410-0230 snvirt's s.:reatly e nhanu" lo"a' oulduur lrvms.: . or www.iowanaturestore.com. Contact Diant· Ford ,n 51"-2!!1 ri:ltl ------ ----~--- .... 4 IOWA OUTDOORS· JANUARY I FEBRUARY 2011 --- ---- JANUARY I FEBRUARY 2011 DEPARTMENTS Peek into the microscopic magic ofsnow crystals, learn to make slip-proof footwear and stand up on any ice, and discover a comforting winter tea rich in vitamin C . • Use a common home tool for quick ice safety checks and be a good outdoor user with these tips for cross-country ski trail etiquette. .. 6fJusters In january is the sun closest to us or farthest away? And is this why winter is cold? In the middle offlat farmland is an unexpected treasure in Hardin County. Pine Lake State Park offers rugged vistas along the Iowa River, ponds full offish, a labyrinth of trails and some of the nicest cabins in the park system. 60 6lrl 6fJackgard From electronic games to digital picture frames and interior lighting, use these tips to save money and reduce carbon emissions. I ' 6[uisine Warm up with Greek-inspired stuffed pheasant breast, savor duck confit and enjoy applewood smoked trout. 66 673l r. £i ~n 1 ,., What mammal is an elder by age 2, has 50 teeth, can repair a broken spine and plays a role in medical research? Photo by Brian Button • \'II" , -·• \ - t I -... II •• • ~ • ABOUT THIS PHOTO AND THE COVER A handful of hardcore and properly geared paddlers make a trad1t1onal New Year's Day outing w1th the motto "Start the Year Out R1ght at both Saylorv1lle Dam and Lake Red Rock Dam . Below, paddler Scott Evans of Knoxville explores open water below the Lake Red Rock dam. Photographer Diane M1chaud • Lowry of Ames captured this image and that of her iced-up cockp1t on th1s ISSue's cover. Last year, 11 paddlers endured 4•F temperatures and 10 knot northwest winds to paddle 2 miles upstream to the Saylorv1lle Dam and back. ·one of my companions yelled into the w1nd, 'Hey, you're throwmg 1ce at mel' as ice was forming and flying off my paddle with every stroke It was such a crazy thing to do 1n those cond1t10ns that even though my fingers were frozen I knew I had to try to take a few shots;· she says. ...... ( 24 Winter Fly Fishing Solitude, serenity and some darn big trout beckon fly anglers this time ofyear, made better by winter mtdge hatches and excellent wildlife viewing. STORY AND PHOTOS BY LOWELL WASHBURN 32 Wild Wintry Water Fun Safely paddle on a sunny, warm wmter day or during bone-crushing cold with these safety and comfort tips to experience winter from a stunning perspective. STORY BY TODD ROBERTSON PHOTOS BY DIANE MICHAUD LOWRY 36 Unusual Guests See how rare b1rd VIsitors such as Iapland long spurs, hawk owls, harlequin ducks, hoary red polls and white-winged ,_. crossbills can get a birder's feathers ruffled m a good way. STORY AND PHOTOS BYTY SMEDES 44 Iowa's Nest to the World A Decorah man's life-long obse551on With raptors has made a local eagle nest the most v1ewed b1rd nest on Earth.