Maintaining Whitefish -- Don't Let Invasive Species In!

Let's get deep for a second. Let's talk about one of the most incredible aspects of Camp Foley. Let's put aside the friendships and the skills learned over a summer for just a minute. We're going to discuss how fortunate we are to be located on such an amazing body of water. Lower Whitefish Lake is an ideal setting for so many people to learn how to ski, sail, swim, fish - you name it. Whitefish makes it happen.

Campers Snorkeling in Whitefish Lake

The topic that is heavy on our minds is AIS, or aquatic invasive species. Keeping our lakes clean is such a priority to us at Foley, as it is a big part of who we are. We have worked closely with our local lake association (WAPOA) and a few members of the Foley team were trained as DNR volunteers to check boats going into and coming out of the Whitefish Chain for these aquatic invasive species. We feel fortunate that we were able to be trained in this and feel proud that we are protecting our lakes. Campers also had the opportunity to sign up to come shadow us as we checked boats so they felt they contributed to the greater good of our chain as well.

Here's where things get tricky.
Even with our stepped up efforts, over the past few years we have seen a few changes occurring in our treasured lake. Changes due to zebra mussels making their way into Whitefish. With no direct way to get rid of the zebra mussels, we now need to do a better job at ensuring more invasive species don't get in and do what we can to manage the AIS we do have.

Now down to some facts and where you all can help stop the spread of AIS.
Up until 2018 the DNR offered grants to lake associations to go directly toward managing aquatic invasive species. A good portion of these funds went directly to staffing the landings with boat inspectors. In 2018 no grants were available and that is the same for 2019. This means the DNR and volunteers spent 7,500 fewer hours at lake landings inspecting boats in 2018. Senators are currently working to pass a law that would allow for $1 million of General Fund money for matching grants to lake associations for controlling aquatic invasive species.  Lake associations do not have the means to fund their efforts alone, so this law would provide means for continued prevention of the spread of AIS and ultimately keep Whitefish as pristine as possible. We need to be part of this effort together.

As a population who utilizes one of Minnesota's gorgeous lakes, I encourage you all to click the "Take Action" button below to send an email to ask our senator to support this legislation. Let's work to keep the Whitefish water quality high for generations and generations to come. You can also donate directly to WAPOA is this is something that you directly would like to support!

"While AIS is a statewide problem, for too long the costs have been local. Lake Associations deserve support in the work they do to protect the public good of healthy lake ecosystems." - Jeff Forester, Executive Director at Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates 

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Camp Creature - The Bald Eagle

Eagle mid-flight. (Photo by Alli Faricy)

Ever seen the majestic bird of prey that represents America as its National Symbol?  They are an impressive sight!  We are lucky enough to see them quite regularly out on nature trips and during our environmental education programs here at Camp Foley.  In fact, camp director Alli Faricy has snapped photos of them in mid-flight around our Whitefish Lake on several occasions. 

With their large brown bodies and snow-white feathered heads, bald eagles are unmistakable and easy to distinguish from hawks, vultures, and other large raptors.  They can grow to 40 inches in length and have a huge wingspan of up to 7.5 feet.  Perhaps this is why they make the largest nests of any bird in North America. 

Bald Eagles can be found from Canada to Northern Mexico, but prefer to live near oceans, lakes, or rivers because they feed primarily on fish.  Using its keen eyesight, they can spot a fish several hundred yards away, and swoop down and pluck it from the water with its powerful talons as the fish comes up to feed.  These powerful birds have been clocked diving through the air at up to 43 mph, and flying away with a fish in their talons at 30 mph.

Photo by Alli Faricy

It is believed that Bald Eagles mate for life, and have sometimes been observed hunting together.  In these cases, one eagle distracts their potential prey while the other swoops in to pounce on it.  While a large percentage of the birds diet consists of fish and carrion (the carcasses of dead animals that have been left behind by other predators), they also catch and eat small reptiles like snakes and lizards, and mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons.  Hungry bald eagles will sometimes hunt larger animals too, and have even been observed successfully catching an adult trumpeter swan in mid-flight.

As the National Bird of the United States, the Bald Eagle is protected by federal law.  Unfortunately, illegal hunting and the use of dangerous crop pesticides in America during the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s nearly caused this beautiful creature to go extinct.  By 1950, there were only 412 pairs of bald eagles left in the entire United States! 

Fortunately, through the creation of stronger, stricter poaching laws, the banning of harmful chemicals like DDT, and the efforts of raptor rehabilitation centers across North America, the Bald Eagle population has rebounded to over 100,000 birds.  And the third largest concentration of Bald Eagles is right here in Minnesota (behind Alaska and Florida), where it is estimated that about 1,312 pairs live in the wild.

The Bald Eagle is sacred to many Native American cultures, and some even saw it as a wise and powerful messenger from the spirit world.  This is one of the reasons eagle feathers and talons (claws) are used in some traditional Native American ceremonies and dances.

Photo by Alli Faricy

Our Founding Fathers chose the Bald Eagle to represent our country as our National Symbol because the eagle was a symbol of the ancient Republic of Rome – the democratic government of the mighty Roman Empire run by a council of senators (before Rome became a dictatorship).  On the Presidential Seal of The United States, the bald eagle is represented holding thirteen arrows in one talon and thirteen olive branches in the other.  The arrows and olive branches represent America’s thirteen original colonies, and symbolize that while the United States prefers peace, it will fight to protect the safety and freedom of its people.

So the next time you’re out on a trip or participating in a water activity at Camp Foley, be sure to keep your eyes peeled.  You just might see one of these majestic creatures.

For more info about Bald Eagles, check out The Minnesota DNR, The National Eagle Center, or these cool videos of Bald Eagles nesting right here in Minnesota!

Camp Creature - Common Loon

Photo: Alli Faricy

As the evening waves break across the shoreline of Whitefish Lake, a beautiful yet haunting sound can be heard echoing through the tall pine trees that guard the grounds of Camp Foley.  Again, the sound pierces through the silence: Woooo – oooooooo.  Along with the whine of mosquitoes, the calls of the Common Loon are the sounds most associated to summertime at Camp Foley and northern Minnesota.

Winter plumage

Minnesota’s state bird, the Common Loon is, dare I say, a common thing for campers to see while at any water activity.  In fact, Minnesota has more loons, roughly 12,000, than any other state besides Alaska.  The Common Loon is slightly larger than a Mallard Duck, and adults weigh between eight and 12 pounds.  They have a very long, thick neck with a long, black bill, which gives them an awkward appearance when flying.  Most campers and counselors would recognize the Common Loon because of its black and white speckled plumage (the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, color, and arrangement of those feathers) and of course, its red eyes.  But did you know the Common Loon replaces its “summer” plumage with a molted grey “winter” plumage?  It’s only fitting that the campers and counselors of Camp Foley get to see the Common Loon at the pinnacle of its beauty. 

Underwater fishing

The Common Loon spends the majority of its time on the water, only coming ashore to mate and incubate its eggs.  As a result, the Common Loon has many cool features to help it better adapt to its aquatic environments.   The Common Loon is a very agile swimmer; the loon’s feet are positioned farther back on its body than most birds.  Additionally, unlike most birds, loons have solid bones.  These two features allow the loon to swim underwater like a torpedo.  In fact, loons can swim down to depths of over 200 feet and hold their breath for over five minutes.
  
As many of you may know, it’s pretty dark deep down in Whitefish Lake.  It has been theorized that the red eyes of the Common Loon enable it to see better while underwater.  This helps the loon locate various species of fish, a staple of its diet.  However, any camper who has taken fishing at Camp Foley can tell you that fish are very slippery creatures.  The Common Loon has a beak that solves that problem.  The inside of the Common Loon’s beak is filled with rearward-pointing projections, best described as very small teeth.  This adaptation, along with the loon’s unique tongue, help the loon secure even the slipperiest of fish. 

Photo: Alli Faricy

These adaptations may be very beneficial to the Common Loon while on the water, but they make for very comical takeoffs.  Like airplanes, loons need a “runway” in order to takeoff and fly.  The Common Loon will begin “running” across the water while flapping its wings, in an attempt to build up enough speed for takeoff.  The loon needs a runway anywhere from 30 yards to a quarter-mile long in order to gain enough speed for a takeoff.  Once in the air however, the Common Loon can fly pretty fast.  Migrating loons are estimated to travel at speeds of over 70 miles per hour while on their way to the Gulf of Mexico, where they spend the winter months.

Camp Foley is committed to helping the Common Loon thrive.  During the summer of 2012, both groups of CIT’s donated their time and helped the Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources) obtain a rough population count of the Common Loons living on Lower Whitefish Lake.  Additionally, Loon Calling was an optional sixth period activity, which was dedicated to teaching the Wolf campers about the life and various calls of the Common Loon.

What's eating you?

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the unofficial state bird...the mosquito! There are very few animals on Earth that evoke such a feeling of misery like the mosquito. And, if you have ever visited Camp Foley I am sure you have had the pleasure of being woken up in the the middle of the night to itch one of those mosquito bites, which almost always end up in the most awkward place possible. Mosquitos are a natural, and healthy part of our environment here at Foley, and even though you might not stop disliking them, my hope is that you will have a new-found understanding of them.

Female Mosquito feeding.

Mosquito is Spanish for “little fly” and there are over 3,500 species in the world with about 50 of those species living in Minnesota. Mosquitos begin their lives in water, about 10 days, as larvae. They feed on organic matter that lives in stagnant water and breathe oxygen through little tubes called siphons, which look a lot like a snorkel! Over the next 10 days they will eat and grow into an adult mosquito and fly away. If you think that they grow up fast, it is because the average mosquito only lives about 6-8 weeks.

During the course of their short lives, they spend their time doing two things....eating and laying eggs! As far as eating goes, only female mosquitos eat blood. That is right ya’ll, females suck blood from people and animals, while male mosquitos feed off of plant nectar. Human skin produces over 300 chemical odors that smell like dinner to the mosquito. They can also detect body heat. So, really it is almost impossible to keep a mosquito from finding you!

So even though you may think mosquitos are very annoying creatures, they do play a role in our ecosystem! They are a reliable source of food for thousands of animals including bats, birds, frogs and fish. So, the next time you head outside, grab that mosquito repellent and don’t let the mosquitos take a bite outta you!

- Carrie Stageman, Assistant Director

Ice Ridge

So, maybe I am the only one that has never heard of an ‘Ice Ridge’, but after this winter I now know what they are! Take a look at what Whitefish Lakes massive ice sheet can do.

An Ice Ridge, photographed on Whitefish Lake.

From the Department of Natural Resources, “Minnesota winters can produce a phenomenon called "ice jacking". This powerful natural force forms a feature along the shoreline known as an "ice ridge." The result may include significant damage to retaining walls, docks and boat lifts, cabins, and public boat launching facilities.” If you want to see more photos of what the ice jacking can do – check this out...

More information can be found on the DNR website.
Until next time!

- Chris Mathiowetz, Director

The noise of more than just kids.

Wailing, hooting, yodeling and laughter are all fairly common noises to hear around Camp Foley in the summer months. This year, all that noise has returned about 3-4 weeks early according to the Minnesota DNR. Why would the DNR be listening to campers you ask? Well they aren’t talking about campers, they are talking about the loons!

According the Minnesota DNR, unseasonably warm weather has brought this state bird back earlier than expected. Loons migrate to warmer climates in the winter months, but I guess like most people who visit Minnesota, they just couldn’t come back soon enough!

A beautiful Common Loon pictured on Hidden Lake.
(Photo by Alli Faricy)

Loons are named for their clumsy appearance on land and need about 100-600 feet of “runway” space before taking off for flight. But, once they get going in the air, they can fly up to 75 miles per hour! I guess that speed comes in handy when making the long trek back and forth from the Gulf of Mexico! Here in the United States, loons are protected by the Migratory Bird Act which prohibits the hunting or harassment of the birds. It is even illegal to have a loon feather! But, down south where the birds live in the winter time, they are hunted and even eaten.

Known for their striking red eyes, black heads and necks and little white speckles on their bodies, loons can weigh up to 12 pounds feeding on all the delicious fish of Minnesota lakes. Those red eyes help the loons see deep into the dark water....they can dive up to 250 feet in search of food and stay under water for 5 minutes!

Minnesota has more loons (about 12,000) than any other state except Alaska and the coolest thing about about them is that they bond to their lakes! That’s right, in the spring loons find their way back to the same lakes as the previous years. It is thought by experts that loons bond more to their lakes than they do to their mates. So, if you see the same nest year after year, you most likely have a permanent neighbor.

Nearly everyone who visits Camp Foley, or any lake in Minnesota for that matter, knows and loves the loons. It is part of the atmosphere and experience here at Foley. Don’t forget to watch out for, and listen for, the loons!

- Carrie Stageman, Assistant Director