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Nebraskaland Magazine

Published 10 times per year, Nebraskaland Magazine highlights the wildlife, wild places, outdoor recreation opportunities, history and culture of Nebraska.

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Like a trusty, utilitarian pair of cargo shorts, the “accessories” genetics gifted to wild animals not only provide style but also varying adaptations for survival.

Animals use their functional body adornments to protect themselves from predators, acquire food, navigate their environment, thermoregulate and even attract mates. While cargo shorts aren’t exactly the human ideal of “sexy,” many species use functional fashion to display messaging of strong genetics and lineage to prospective partners.

Animal “fashion” is the perfect intersection of function. And many of these adaptations exist at the microscopic level.

Read "Functional Fashion in Wildlife" in the link in our bio.

📝: Lauren Salick
📷: Alex Wiles

#Nebraskaland #WildlifeEducation #NEgameandparks #WildNebraska #OutdoorNebraska

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Like a trusty, utilitarian pair of cargo shorts, the “accessories” genetics gifted to wild animals not only provide style but also varying adaptations for survival. Animals use their functional body adornments to protect themselves from predators, acquire food, navigate their environment, thermoregulate and even attract mates. While cargo shorts aren’t exactly the human ideal of “sexy,” many species use functional fashion to display messaging of strong genetics and lineage to prospective partners. Animal “fashion” is the perfect intersection of function. And many of these adaptations exist at the microscopic level. Read "Functional Fashion in Wildlife" in the link in our bio. 📝: Lauren Salick 📷: Alex Wiles #Nebraskaland #WildlifeEducation #NEgameandparks #WildNebraska #OutdoorNebraska

1 day ago

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1/12

📍 Discover Nebraska Beauty

Tag @nebraskaland and use the hashtag #discoverNEbeauty to be featured in our weekly Discover Nebraska Beauty posts on Instagram.

#Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska

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📍 Discover Nebraska Beauty Tag @nebraskaland and use the hashtag #discoverNEbeauty to be featured in our weekly Discover Nebraska Beauty posts on Instagram. #Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska

2 days ago

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2/12

Swift fox pups will be dispersing from their parents this month. They weigh just over half a pound when born! These very rare prairie predators rapidly grow until reaching their adult weight of 4 to 6 pounds in late fall, roughly the size of a house cat.

📷: @ridgerunner308

#Nebraskaland #NEgameandparks #WildlifeEducation #WildNebraska

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Swift fox pups will be dispersing from their parents this month. They weigh just over half a pound when born! These very rare prairie predators rapidly grow until reaching their adult weight of 4 to 6 pounds in late fall, roughly the size of a house cat. 📷: @ridgerunner308 #Nebraskaland #NEgameandparks #WildlifeEducation #WildNebraska

3 days ago

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3/12

"I experience a little regret when exploring the Panhandle’s wild places this time of year. Where each wilted and dried wildflower stands, I realize I missed a scenic photo opportunity earlier in the summer and spring.

Thankfully, a late bloomer such as goldenrod usually shows itself on the scene as did with this morning’s sunrise.

Giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) is Nebraska’s state flower, and there are about 15 other goldenrod species in the state. They’re also photo-worthy. This is stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida).

No, cattle don’t like to eat goldenrod. If they did, the cattle in the background of this photo would have surely already eaten it. Goldenrod does, however, provide valuable late-season nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and many other insects.

Besides that, it’s good for photography." - 📷: @ridgerunner308

📍 Pine Ridge Ranger District, Nebraska National Forest

#Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska #NaturePhotography #Goldenrod

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"I experience a little regret when exploring the Panhandle’s wild places this time of year. Where each wilted and dried wildflower stands, I realize I missed a scenic photo opportunity earlier in the summer and spring. Thankfully, a late bloomer such as goldenrod usually shows itself on the scene as did with this morning’s sunrise. Giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) is Nebraska’s state flower, and there are about 15 other goldenrod species in the state. They’re also photo-worthy. This is stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida). No, cattle don’t like to eat goldenrod. If they did, the cattle in the background of this photo would have surely already eaten it. Goldenrod does, however, provide valuable late-season nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and many other insects. Besides that, it’s good for photography." - 📷: @ridgerunner308 📍 Pine Ridge Ranger District, Nebraska National Forest #Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska #NaturePhotography #Goldenrod

5 days ago

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4/12

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 - "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭" 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐

The relationship between milkweed and monarch butterflies is well-known in the pollinator world. In my garden, the plants not only provide beautiful and fragrant flowers, but also food and shelter to many other species as well.

So, when I noticed the different species of insects and arachnids using the milkweed in my flower garden, I began documenting them with a camera. First, I watched a granddaddy long-leg (or harvestmen), which is not a true spider, eating a smaller spider on a milkweed leaf. Longlegs are scavengers, and they feed by searching the ground and plants for small insects, eggs or dead plant or animal material. In this instance, my milkweed plants offered the ideal hunting grounds.

Then I saw a milkweed tussock moth caterpillar making its way through the maze of milkweed leaves, stopping to feast along the way. I had never seen a tussock caterpillar before, and it reminded me of a Shih Tzu dog with its fluffy tufts of black, orange and white. Like monarch caterpillars, this caterpillar's bright coloration signals to would-be predators that its body contains toxic cardiac glycosides from eating the milkweed, which the tussock caterpillar exclusively feeds on.

One of the neatest things I found was a fishing spider and her egg sac with newly emerged spiderlings. As the mother stood guard to protect her young, the large, strong leaves of the milkweed plant provided them shelter from the elements as well. With its thick stem, this milkweed plant has survived through many of Mother Nature's trials, which is why the spider chose it as the location to lay her egg sac.

Each plant was like a world in itself, and this was just a small sample of what I saw. In addition to knowing that I'm helping pollinators, I've delighted in the joy of watching nature play out on milkweed. I encourage you to plant them in your own garden.

📝&📷: Julie Geiser

#Nebraskaland #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska

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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 - "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭" 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 The relationship between milkweed and monarch butterflies is well-known in the pollinator world. In my garden, the plants not only provide beautiful and fragrant flowers, but also food and shelter to many other species as well. So, when I noticed the different species of insects and arachnids using the milkweed in my flower garden, I began documenting them with a camera. First, I watched a granddaddy long-leg (or harvestmen), which is not a true spider, eating a smaller spider on a milkweed leaf. Longlegs are scavengers, and they feed by searching the ground and plants for small insects, eggs or dead plant or animal material. In this instance, my milkweed plants offered the ideal hunting grounds. Then I saw a milkweed tussock moth caterpillar making its way through the maze of milkweed leaves, stopping to feast along the way. I had never seen a tussock caterpillar before, and it reminded me of a Shih Tzu dog with its fluffy tufts of black, orange and white. Like monarch caterpillars, this caterpillar's bright coloration signals to would-be predators that its body contains toxic cardiac glycosides from eating the milkweed, which the tussock caterpillar exclusively feeds on. One of the neatest things I found was a fishing spider and her egg sac with newly emerged spiderlings. As the mother stood guard to protect her young, the large, strong leaves of the milkweed plant provided them shelter from the elements as well. With its thick stem, this milkweed plant has survived through many of Mother Nature's trials, which is why the spider chose it as the location to lay her egg sac. Each plant was like a world in itself, and this was just a small sample of what I saw. In addition to knowing that I'm helping pollinators, I've delighted in the joy of watching nature play out on milkweed. I encourage you to plant them in your own garden. 📝&📷: Julie Geiser #Nebraskaland #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska

1 week ago

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5/12

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#ThrowbackThursday The best kind of meal is the one cooked over a campfire. 🔥 What's your favorite camping food? 📷: Bob Grier, 1974 #Nebraskaland #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #Throwback #Camping

1 week ago

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6/12

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📍 Discover Nebraska Beauty Tag @nebraskaland and use the hashtag #discoverNEbeauty to be featured in our weekly Discover Nebraska Beauty posts on Instagram. #Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska

1 week ago

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7/12

"This pectoral sandpiper and I crossed paths last week during its travels — just one stop during its journey of upwards to 19,000 miles this year. Considered a superstar of migration, pectoral sandpipers breed in the northern parts of Canada, Alaska and eastern Asia. Individuals pass through the United States and Mexico to reach their chosen wintering ground, somewhere in an expansive range that includes most of South America.

Oh, the places you will go, little bird." - 📷: @ridgerunner308

📍 Lake Minatare State Recreation Area

#Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska #NaturePhotography #BirdsOfNebraska

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"This pectoral sandpiper and I crossed paths last week during its travels — just one stop during its journey of upwards to 19,000 miles this year. Considered a superstar of migration, pectoral sandpipers breed in the northern parts of Canada, Alaska and eastern Asia. Individuals pass through the United States and Mexico to reach their chosen wintering ground, somewhere in an expansive range that includes most of South America. Oh, the places you will go, little bird." - 📷: @ridgerunner308 📍 Lake Minatare State Recreation Area #Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska #NaturePhotography #BirdsOfNebraska

2 weeks ago

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8/12

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Where in #OutdoorNebraska are you headed this weekend? 📷: @ridgerunner308 📍: Fort Robinson State Park #Nebraskaland #NEgameandparks #VisitNebraska

2 weeks ago

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9/12

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#ThrowbackThursday Chadron State Park, August 1965🚣 #Nebraskaland #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska

2 weeks ago

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10/12

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📍 Discover Nebraska Beauty Tag @nebraskaland and use the hashtag #discoverNEbeauty to be featured in our weekly Discover Nebraska Beauty posts on Instagram. #Nebraskaland #OutdoorNebraska

2 weeks ago

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11/12

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Is anyone sick of Nebraska sunset photos yet? Yeah, we aren't either. 📷: @ridgerunner308 📍: Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area #Nebraskaland #NebraskaSunset #NEgameandparks #OutdoorNebraska #Sunset

3 weeks ago

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12/12

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Most Viewed

Three Wild Edible Fall Mushrooms

Finding the Good Spots

You’ve Come Far, Pilgrim

Large Milkweed Bugs

Maloney & Medicine Creek Project Updates