March is a month of contradictions in the Northwoods. Some days feel like deep winter, with bitter winds and heavy snow, while others bring the first hints of spring. Winter's grip is loosening, but it will not let go without a fight. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, and skiing remain in full swing.
In this month's edition of the Northwoods Ledger, we track the physical and historical shifts happening across our timber and lakes right now.
Inside the March Edition:
The Railroad That Opened the Northwoods: Before highways and snowmobiles, the Northwoods was nearly inaccessible for much of the year. That changed in the late 1800s when railroads pushed north, driven by the logging industry. Many of today's snowmobile and hiking trails follow the exact paths of these long-abandoned tracks.
The Physics of Blue Snow: In late winter, snowbanks piled up by plows often take on a blue tint. As snow becomes compacted, the air is squeezed out, allowing longer wavelengths of light to be absorbed while shorter wavelengths like blue are reflected back. You are looking at the exact same physics that give glaciers their striking color.
The Nesting of the Ravens: Ravens are highly intelligent and begin their nesting season in March, long before most birds have returned. They construct large stick nests in towering pines and hatch their young while winter still lingers to take advantage of scavenging opportunities.
The First Harvest: March is tapping season, the time when sugar maple trees give up their first sap of the year. To mark the occasion, we included a recipe for Maple Glazed Smoked Fish. It is a dish that brings together maple syrup season and late-season ice fishing perfectly.
Compiling these regional histories, recipes, and ecological deep dives takes a significant amount of time. If you value lasting Northwoods knowledge, consider upgrading to a paid membership. Paid members receive the fully compacted, printable PDF edition of the Northwoods Ledger delivered straight to their inbox every month as well as an complete indexed archive of every article we’ve written to date.
Editor,
Northwoods Ledger
