Volume 100, Issue 4, 2022
May 2022
- Identifier:
- nela.2022_100_04
- Title:
- Volume 100, Issue 4, 2022
- Issue Name:
- May 2022
- Date Issued:
- 2022-05-01
- year:
- 2022
- month:
- May
- Season:
- Spring
- PDF filename:
- NL_100.04_2022_May_Spreads_Entire.pdf
- Publisher:
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Format:
- Periodical
- volume:
- 100
- issue:
- 04
- number:
- 100.04
- Decade:
- 2020s
- Type:
- Rights Holder:
- Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, all rights reserved.
- Extracted Text:
-
$4.95
magazine
To renew your subscription or change your
address call 1-800-632-5263
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You could win one of these great prizes:
2-night state park cabin
Stay and Play package
Fishing kayak and gear
Float and Play package
LEARN MORE AT
OutdoorNebraska.org/TakeEmFishing
Nebraska’s
Great Park Pursuit
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Your team could win great prizes including:
GoPro
Camera
Learn more and register
your team at NeGPP.org or
download our free app.
2
Nebraskaland • May 2022
2-night cabin stay
at a state park
GRAND PRIZE!
$1,500 outdoor
recreation package
Explore Nebraska parks with
this free statewide program.
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
3
Volume 100
May 2022
No. 4
Cover: Fly-fishing doesn’t have to be exclusive to mountain streams.
C
PPractically all fish in Nebraska can be caught with a fly rod. To begin, see
ppage 46 for a “Fly-fishing Primer.” JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
TThis page: May brings out the acmon blue (Plebejus acmon) butterfly to the
PPine Ridge. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
FEATURES
20
26
28
34
OBSERVE AND ADMIRE
Appreciating the Small Things
Photos and story by Joshua Redwine
OUTDOOR NEBRASKA
What to Do in May
By Renae Blum
DISCOVERING SLIME MOLDS
A Botanist’s Adventure
Story and photos by Gerry Steinauer
“UTTER DISREGARD FOR PERIL”
Eyewitness Account of
an 1870s Nebraska Roundup
By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska
38
IN HOT PURSUIT
40
MY CITY SANCTUARY
46
ANOTHER HOBBY
Story and photos by Renae Blum
Story and photos by Marissa Jensen
A Fly-fishing Primer
By Jeff Kurrus
DEPARTMENTS
8
12
48
56
58
Your Nebraska
In the Field
Mixed Bag
Portraits from the Past
The Last Stop
ON THE WEB
Nebraskaland (VOL. 100 / NO. 4 ISSN 0028-1964) is published monthly, except for the combined Jan./Feb. and Aug./Sept. issues, by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd
St., Lincoln, NE. Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Nebraskaland, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370.
4
Nebraskaland • May 2022
For more articles and
information, visit
NebraskalandMagazine.com
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
5
Magazine Staff
magazine
Published by the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission since 1926. The Commission is
dedicated to the conservation and protection
of all the state's natural resources and the
people who use them.
Communications Director Christy Firestone
Public Relations Manager Shawna RichterRyerson
Editor Jeff Kurrus
Associate Editor Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
Regional Editors Eric Fowler, Julie Geiser,
Justin Haag
Contributing Editor Michael Forsberg
Regular Contributors Renae Blum,
Chris Helzer, Chris Masada, Todd Mills,
Ryan Sparks, Gerry Steinauer
Art Director Tim Reigert
Graphic Designer Mel Severin
Photo Librarian Jaclyn Cruikshank Vogt
Administration
Director Tim McCoy
Commissioners
Chairman - Pat Berggren, Broken Bow
Vice Chairman - Rick Brandt, Roca
2nd Vice Chairman - Robert Allen, Eustis
Nebraskaland Magazine Copyright 2022, all rights reserved.
Nebraskaland is available in audio from the Nebraska Library
Commission Talking Book and Braille Service, Suite 120, 1200 N St.,
Lincoln, NE 68508. 800-742-7691. Nebraskaland Magazine and the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reserve the right to reject any
advertising not in keeping with the agency mission.
Rates: $18 for one year; $33 for two years; $44 for three years. Nebraska
recipients must add appropriate sales tax. To subscribe call
1-800-NEBLAND (632-5263), or go online to:
NebraskalandMagazine.com.
Commission Offices
Conservation Officers
Headquarters/Southeast District Office
2200 N. 33rd Street Lincoln, NE 68503
Phone 402-471-0641
ADMINISTRATION (Lincoln)
Craig Stover (Administrator)
Duane Arp (Asst. Administrator)
Travis Shepler (Asst. Administrator)
Jeff Clauson (Asst. Administrator)
Southwest District Office
301 E. State Farm Rd. North Platte, NE 69101
Phone 308-535-8025
Northwest District Office
East Hwy. 2, Box 725 Alliance, NE 69301
Phone 308-763-2940
Bassett Office
524 Panzer St., Box 508 Bassett, NE 68714
Phone 402-684-2921
Kearney Office
1617 First Ave. Kearney, NE 68847
Phone 308-865-5310
Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium/Schramm Education
Center
21502 W. Highway 31 Gretna, NE 68028
Phone 402-332-3901
Omaha Office
8495 Frederick Street, Omaha, NE 68124
Phone 402-595-2144
402-471-5531
402-471-5531
402-471-5531
402-471-5531
NORTHWEST (Includes counties covered)
Dan Kling (Lieutenant)
308-430-0572
EAST SUB-DISTRICT
Sean Schultz (Sergeant)
308-760-0145
Jerod Hahn (Deuel, Garden, Grant)
Keith Jadlowski (Keith, Deuel)
Jaden Porter (Keith, Garden)
Tyler Stueck (Keith)
308-520-5539
308-289-9580
308-289-2274
308-289-6260
(Keith, Arthur)
WEST SUB-DISTRICT
Tim Williams (Hall, Hamilton, York)
Eric Javins (Adams, Clay, Webster)
Pat George (Harlan, Franklin, Phelps)
Ethan Teter (Buffalo, Kearney)
308-380-7331
402-902-2017
308-920-2762
308-440-3847
SOUTHWEST (Includes counties covered)
Roger Thompson (Lieutenant)
308-530-3097
NORTH SUB-DISTRICT
Ray Dierking (Custer, Thomas, Blaine)
Frank Miller (Cherry, Hooker)
Greg Hesse
308-870-0322
402-389-0444
308-546-7464
Alex Hasenauer (Lincoln, Perkins)
Brandon O’Neal
308-660-4671
308-530-3157
(Hooker, Thomas, southern Cherry)
(Lincoln, McPherson, Logan)
308-763-8226
Brian Piernicky (Sergeant)
308-340-6627
Josh Widhelm (Morrill, Scotts Bluff)
Jacob Stoinski (Sioux, Dawes)
308-279-9133
308-615-9017
Bryce Streger (Dawson, Gosper, Custer)
Matt Andrews
308-537-0404
308-746-2418
Taylor Dixon (Dawson, Gosper)
Sophia Gobber
308-217-2108
308-222-0368
(Box Butte, Sheridan, Grant)
NORTHEAST (Includes counties covered)
Dale Davis (Lieutenant)
402-760-0712
NORTH SUB-DISTRICT
Jeff Jones (Sergeant)
402-762-5022
John Bauer (Holt, Boyd)
Jonathan Andreasen
402-314-9257
402-340-3981
Mitch Johnson (Knox, Antelope, Pierce)
402-613-8612
(Knox, Cedar)
Cory Krause (Sergeant)
402-380-6410
Kyler Prochaska (Platte, Colfax)
Nicholas Fix (Dixon, Dakota, Thurston)
402-830-8278
402-508-0261
CENTRAL (Includes counties covered)
Mike Thome (Lieutenant)
308-293-8746
NORTH SUB-DISTRICT
Nebraskaland • May 2022
402-200-9597
(Thayer, Fillmore, Nuckolls)
Kelsey Glodowski
(Cuming, Wayne, Stanton)
6
Matt Taylor (Sergeant)
308-672-1824
(Kimball, Banner, Scotts Bluff)
SOUTH SUB-DISTRICT
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission does not discriminate
based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual
orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information,
veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs,
activities, or employment. Any person who believes he or she has been
discriminated against in any program, activity, facility, or service,
should contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE
402-471-0641, the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln,
NE 402-471-2024, TTY/TDD 800-642-6112; Director, Office of Diversity,
Inclusion and Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Interior, 1849 C Street,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
SOUTH SUB-DISTRICT
Sean McKeehan (Sergeant)
(Madison, Pierce, Stanton)
OutdoorNebraska.org
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
Circulation
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Ken Curry, Columbus
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Dan Kreitman, Wahoo
Northeast District Office
2201 N. 13th St. Norfolk, NE 68701
Phone 402-370-3374
Listen for the bullfrogs and their
distinctive “Jug-o-rumm” sound.
Doug Pollard (Sergeant)
308-730-7050
Matt Brandt (Sherman, Howard)
Daryl Teter (Howard, Greeley, Merrick)
Trent Howard (Nance, Wheeler, Boone)
Kyle Gaston (York, Polk, Hamilton)
308-202-0819
308-440-1863
308-318-1273
402-719-6226
(Loup, Garfield, Valley)
SOUTH SUB-DISTRICT
(Red Willow, Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock)
(Furnas, Gosper, Frontier, Red Willow)
(Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock)
SOUTHEAST (Includes counties covered)
Stacey Lewton (Lieutenant)
402-890-7140
EAST SUB-DISTRICT
Heath Packett (Sergeant)
402-210-0888
Russell Mort (Otoe, Johnson)
Rich Berggren (Douglas)
Brian Arp (Douglas, Sarpy)
Dan Evasco (Sarpy)
Mike Luben (Saunders, Butler)
Bryan Adams
402-209-1506
402-619-1355
531-530-9011
402-616-5961
402-443-6392
402-429-1924
(Cass)
(Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson)
WEST SUB-DISTRICT
Dina Barta (Lancaster),
Dudley Sorensen (Lancaster)
Mark Sullivan (Lancaster, Seward, Butler)
Trevor Stahlecker (Lancaster, Saline)
Matt Seitz (Gage, Jefferson)
402-890-6463
402-937-3422
402-741-0636
402-314-9641
402-806-0915
YOUR NEBRASKA
Instagram Photos
Follow us @nebraskaland
and tag us in your photos
to be featured in an
upcoming issue.
Marquene Koontz, Ogallala
Blue Heron Nest Building
Ozan Aktas, Lincoln
Waiting
Roger Richters, Utica
Nature’s Silk Purse
8
Nebraskaland • May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
9
YOUR NEBRASKA
Cody Lammers, Kearney
Under the Bridge
Bob Grier, Alliance
Shades of Brown
Tyler Moore, Omaha
Prickly Poppy
Send your comments and
photos to:
Jeff Kurrus, Editor
Nebraskaland Magazine
P.O. Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503
or email Jeff.Kurrus@Nebraska.gov
Please include your postal address
and telephone number. Letters
may be condensed and edited.
Photographs are also welcome.
10
Nebraskaland • May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
11
IN THE FIELD
NEBRASKA’S PINE RIDGE
A shaft of sunlight brightens
a ridge top in the Pine Ridge
of northwestern Nebraska.
JUSTIN
JUST
IN
N HAAG,
AAG NEBRASK
AS ALAN
ND
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Nebraskaland • May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
13
IN THE FIELD
Stone Creek Falls at Platte River State Park in Cass County.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
MEMORIAL RUN HELPS RAISE MONEY FOR
STATE PARK TRAILS
By Shawna Richter-Ryerson
Tyler Vanderheiden was an avid outdoors fan,
who loved to hunt, fish and just be outside.
In 2021, the Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run
was launched in his honor, with the goal of raising
awareness and understanding of mental health
and also to act as a fundraiser for Nebraska Game
and Parks state park trails.
“Tyler loved the outdoors,” said Shannon
Vanderheiden, executive director of West Central
District Health Department and Tyler’s mom. “We
wanted to honor his memory by giving back to
what he loved while also raising awareness of
mental health, a significant public health concern
right here in Nebraska and across the country.”
“This run helps raise awareness that walking
and running are effective tools in the battle for
mental and emotional wellness and are vital
to helping address mental health and suicide
prevention.”
The annual memorial run is planned for May 14,
2022, at Cody Park in North Platte. Race organizers
14
Nebraskaland • May 2022
have made it their goal to see runners from every
Nebraska county and every state participate
in-person or virtually in the race; participants
may choose a 2-mile or 5-mile run.
This year’s race proceeds will help support
the construction and upgrade of the Platte River
State Park trail that leads to Stone Creek Falls.
Improvements are aimed at making the trail
Americans with Disabilities Act accessible.
We invite you to register online at
PlatteRiverFitness.com/PublicHealth or donate to
the trails fundraiser at tvm.BetterWorld.org.
The run is organized by the Platte River Fitness
Series with support by the West Central District
Health Department. Proceeds are donated to the
Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation for the
creation, maintenance or upgrade of trails at the
76 state park areas, and additional trails across
the state will be supported in the future.
To learn more, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/
MemorialRun.
IN THE FIELD
RAVEN’S RETURN
By Joel G. Jorgensen
Before Nebraska was settled by European Americans,
its vast open areas were inhabited by the common raven.
Ravens are similar to American crows, but are larger with a
more extensive vocal repertoire that includes husky guttural
croaks. With the disappearance of the vast herds of bison in
the late 1800s, the raven was soon to follow, retreating to
mountainous areas of the west and forests of the far north.
However, this adaptable and widespread species was lying in
wait and playing the long game. Changes in the environment
that led to early declines eventually provided opportunities.
It also helps that this species is not persecuted by humans to
the degree it once was.
For the last several decades, the common raven has
been slowly increasing in numbers and expanding its range
in North America. There have been occasional reports of
common raven in Nebraska over the past few decades,
but for the longest time, all of these reports lacked solid
documentation such as a photograph or an audio recording,
which made judging their credibility difficult. Furthermore,
it was also clear that many reported sightings were in error
16
Nebraskaland • May 2022
and were misidentified American crows. However, it is
likely that among the misidentified crow reports were a few
legitimate common raven sightings.
Everything changed in 2021. On New Year’s Day, a
common raven was seen and photographed in Sioux County
by birder Kathy DeLara — this definitive sighting led other
birders to look for this bird. Eventually, it relocated multiple
times for the remainder of the winter. Other ravens were
subsequently seen at various locations across Sioux County
for the rest of the year. It appears multiple ravens have
ventured into Nebraska, presumably from nearby Wyoming
where this species is common.
It is quite possible the events of 2021 foreshadow what
may end up as the eventual recolonization of Nebraska by
the common raven. It is very unlikely ravens will become
avian fixtures in developed areas such as Lincoln or Omaha,
but small populations could become established in areas
such as the Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills at the western end
of the state. Our birdlife is always in flux, and the raven’s
return to Nebraska is just the latest example.
IN THE FIELD
Pizza with morel mushrooms, leek, fresh mozzarella cheese and arugula.
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
MOREL MUSHROOM PIZZA
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
I’ve made variations of wild
mushroom pizza over the years, and
my go-to pairing is always leeks and
morels. The flavors and aromas of
mushroom and onion immediately
take me to spring, even when there’s
6 inches of snow outside. I often make
this pizza with dried morels that I’ve
dehydrated from the season before,
just to remind myself that warmer
days are around the corner.
If you find fresh morels this spring,
try this recipe. Serve it with a glass of
Pinot noir, Sangiovese or Tempranillo
— you’d pay a fortune for a meal like
this in a restaurant.
If using pesto as the sauce, I
recommend a homemade one that’s
cut with spinach or kale, as too much
basil can overpower the delicate flavor
of morels.
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 30-45 minutes
Ingredients:
2 to 3 ounces of fresh morel
mushrooms
•
18
Nebraskaland • May 2022
•
Refrigerated thin-crust pizza
dough
1 leek
Olive oil
Splash of whisky, white wine or
madeira
1 tablespoon of butter
Pesto or white pizza sauce, to taste
8 ounces of fresh mozzarella
cheese, sliced
Grated/shaved Parmesan cheese,
to taste
Bunch of arugula
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked pepper
Special Equipment:
Pizza stone
Pizza peel
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Preheat oven and pizza stone on
the middle rack to 425° Fahrenheit. If
you don’t have a pizza stone, follow
the directions on the packaging to
prep the dough for a cookie sheet.
2. Slice white, light green and yellow
parts of leek and wash thoroughly. In a
pan over medium heat, add olive oil to
coat and cook sliced leek with a pinch
of salt. Add a splash of water, cover
and steam until tender, about 5-10
minutes.
3. Uncover leek and allow water to
evaporate. Push leek to the side and
add more oil. Brown mushrooms over
medium-high heat until golden on
both sides — do not crowd the pan.
Add a splash of alcohol and cook until
evaporated. Take off heat and stir in
butter. Season to taste. Set aside.
4. On a lightly floured pizza peel,
roll out pizza dough and cut/shape it
to fit pizza stone, if needed. Spread
with pesto or white sauce and top with
mozzarella cheese. Top with morel
mushroom and leek mixture. Transfer
uncooked pizza to a preheated pizza
stone and bake in a 425° oven until the
bottom and edges become golden and
the cheese is fully melted and slightly
toasty, about 12-18 minutes.
5. To finish, top with Parmesan
cheese, freshly cracked pepper and
arugula to taste. Slice and serve
immediately.
n ~~ | n |
} |
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
19
Observe
and Admire
Appreciating the
Small Things
Photos and story by Joshua Redwine
andscape photography often means
finding that perfect moment by
trusting your instincts and the
direction of the wind, following
wherever it takes you.
I began my career as a civil engineer,
and my desire was to protect the
environment by focusing my education
in environmental engineering. In 2007,
I was offered the opportunity to travel
to Haiti, a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Armed with a few amenities from
home and a sleek, new 5-megapixel,
point-and-shoot camera, I boarded the
plane that summer, arriving in Port Au
Prince and settling in a small village on
the southern coast.
While there, I wanted to capture the
sights and sounds of the incredible
Haitian landscape. I took long walks
with our group through the mountains,
starting at dawn and returning at
dusk. Along the way, nature became
irresistible, and I would come back
every day with a memory card full of
images. When people ask me where my
love for landscapes came from, it was
in Haiti, skipping across rocks jutting
out of the rushing rivers near me.
L
School led me away from the camera
for a few years, but after graduating
from the University of NebraskaLincoln in 2011, photography pulled
me back. I remembered how it felt to
be completely engrossed with creating
the perfect scene and wanted that
feeling again. I picked up my first DSLR
camera, with its seemingly infinite
number of dials and switches, and
found myself struggling to even hold
the machine properly. Yet that didn’t
deter me.
I wanted to dive into every inch
and detail of this new field. I sought
out resources, watched videos, asked
other photographers, all the while
taking hikes on the trails in and around
Lincoln.
There were hidden gems and unseen
beauty in Nebraska that I wanted to
capture through my eyes, so I have
set out to witness this state at its
most
remarkable.
Photographing
Nebraska has become my passion, and
I have gladly accepted the challenge of
going whichever way the wind takes
me. It has never failed to lead me to
something incredible. N
RIGHT: Milkweed seed blows in the wind at Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area.
20
Nebraskaland
• May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
21
TOP LEFT: A bee gathers nectar from a
flower in summer.
BOTTOM LEFT: A storm rages in the
Nebraska National Forest near Halsey
with a dazzling display of lights.
TOP RIGHT: A tattered barn gives up the
ghost on a warm fall afternoon near
Union.
BOTTOM RIGHT: A single corncob bares
witness to a harvested field near Grand
Island.
22
Nebraskaland
• May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
23
ABOVE: A windmill stands before an
impending storm near Halsey.
LEFT: A little yellow butterfly enjoys
a flower in the late summer.
OPPOSITE: Life finds a way as weeds
push up through rotting wood on
abandoned tracks in Lincoln.
Redwine is a former engineer, turned
photographer, working out of Lincoln.
24
Nebraskaland
• May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
25
Outdoor Nebraska
By Renae Blum
May is the perfect time to be outside. Fill your days with time
in nature, and give these activities a try. N
Try tanking
Throughout the month
Statewide
How does a lazy day on the
river sound? Tanking is a
uniquely fun, memorable
experience — riding an
outfitted tank down a
slow-moving stream with
friends and family. Nebraska
outfitters generally offer twoto six-hour trips with shuttle
service, paddles and life
jackets.
What To Do in May
Enjoy Free Fishing
and Park Entry Day
May 21 | Statewide
Want to spend a Saturday fishing or
exploring a state park? On this special
day, no permits are required for either
activity. Why not introduce someone
to fishing, or gather up the family for a
picnic at your favorite state park? See
Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov for details
on special events.
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
Attend the Sip Nebraska festival
May 6-7 | Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland
Enjoy unlimited tastings from Nebraska’s best-produced wines, craft
beers and spirits at Sip Nebraska. Spend the day playing lawn games,
listening to live music, taking part in dance lessons and goat yoga,
browsing local craft vendors and more. For full details, to purchase tickets
and to reserve lodging, visit SipNebraska.com or call 402-882-2448.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
PHOTO COURTESY BLUR PARTIES
Last chance to participate
in Take ‘em Hunting
Through May 31 | Statewide
Turkey season is the perfect time to participate in
the Take ’em Hunting program. Bring a beginner
in the field with you, snap a photo and submit
it online for the chance to win a John Deere
Gator from AKRS Equipment. Make sure to get
your photos in by the end of the month. Learn
more at OutdoorNebraska.org/TakeEmHunting.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
Visit Victoria Springs
State Recreation Area
Throughout the month | Anselmo
An oasis at the edge of the Sandhills,
Victoria Springs is the place to enjoy peace
and quiet. It’s a beautiful spot for a picnic,
and you can fish or take a paddleboat ride
around the picturesque spring-fed pond. Stay
the night in the campground or a rustic cabin
for an even more leisurely trip. Learn more at
OutdoorNebraska.org/VictoriaSprings.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
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Nebraskaland • May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
27
Discovering
Slime Molds
A Botanist’s Adventure
Story and photos by Gerry Steinauer,
Botanist
wo years ago, while morel mushroom hunting in a
creekside woodland near Aurora, I saw a pink, dimesized “ball” sprouting from a log. Baffled, I concluded it
was a strange puff ball mushroom. I snapped a photo and
texted it to my go-to guy for mushroom identification, Chance
Brueggemann, woodland ecologist at Indian Cave State Park.
His response: “It’s wolf’s milk, a slime mold.” I wasn’t sure
what a slime mold was. I assumed they were slimy, mold-like
fungi that grew on basement walls, long-forgotten food in
a refrigerator and other dark, damp places. A little research
showed how wrong I was.
Slime molds are like no other organism on our planet and
these single-celled creatures have confounded naturalists
for centuries. In their feeding stage, they are called a
“plasmodium” and slowly creep under and about rotting logs,
soil and leaf litter. Amazingly, experiments have shown that
plasmodia display simple forms of intelligence and memory.
Late in life, plasmodia transform into stationary, sporeproducing, fruiting bodies that often appear as tiny, colorful
mushrooms.
Recently, scientists, with the aid of DNA analysis, have
placed slime molds (Myxomycetes) into the kingdom protista,
a catchall group of mostly single-celled organisms not fitting
neatly into the other four kingdoms of life: animals, plants,
fungi and bacteria. The slime molds’ DNA suggests they are
ancient creatures, one to two billion years old, slithering over
the Earth’s barren rock surface at a time when the only other
land creatures were bacteria. Today, they mostly inhabit
moist forests.
I would be remiss not to mention the slime molds’ intricate
beauty.
T
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Nebraskaland • May 2022
Wolf’s milk growing at
Indian Cave State Park
on Brueggemann’s
prized slime mold log.
Red Lollipop
Last June, Brueggemann and I spent two days searching
for and photographing slime molds in the steep Missouri
River bluff forests at Indian Cave. The first morning, we
veered off a hiking trail and entered a deep ravine bottom
with a trickling stream. After a short hike, parting lowhanging ironwood and elm branches, our target came into
sight — Brueggemann’s favorite spot to find slime molds: a
hefty, decaying log.
The log did not disappoint. First, Brueggemann showed
me a colony of fruiting wolf’s milk (Lycogala epidendrum) —
pink globes growing from the rain-soaked wood. He pricked
one with a twig and out oozed a bubblegum-colored paste
containing the developing spores. It’s not clear why pink
ooze would lead to the name of wolf’s milk, but such is the
privilege of naming.
Within days, the fruiting bodies’ pink color will fade, and
then they will disintegrate into a brown powdery smudge.
The powder is millions of microscopic, ripe spores.
He next pointed to a cluster of tiny red dots that he calls red
lollipops (Hemitrichia calyculata). Only through my camera’s
macro lens could I make out their narrow stalks topped
by round, red fruiting heads calling to mind the childhood
delicacy of cherry Tootsie Pops, but only a fraction of an inch
tall. Seeing the stalked heads, I grasped how slime molds
Coral slime.
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
29
Red lollipop slime
with color.
A chocolate tube
slime at Indian
Cave with young
fruiting heads
By the next
morning, the heads
had matured.
Red lollipop fruiting heads are
young and lacking color.
could be mistaken for tiny, toadstool mushrooms.
Last, the log treated us to a patch of coral slime (Ceratiomyxa
fruticulosa). Composed of white, translucent columns that
often branch, its fruiting bodies indeed resemble coral, or
perhaps more relatable for Nebraskans, a glazing of hoarfrost. When large, colonies can fuse, covering entire logs and
tree stumps in white. Unique among slime molds, coral slime
spores occur singly at the tips of incredibly thin stalks that
project outward from the columns. All other slime molds
Red lollipop caps shed
and disperse spores.
30
Nebraskaland • May 2022
bear their spores within fruiting bodies.
Though other slime molds probably grow on
Brueggemann’s prized log, they were not fruiting and so
not visible. No one knows how many slime mold species
are found in Nebraska. Because our state has a relatively
dry climate and few forests, it may be only a few dozen.
World-wide, over a thousand known species of slime molds
exist. Their wind-blown spores disperse far and wide, many
species occurring on several continents.
Chocolate Tube Slime
Later in the day while cruising along in a UTV, Brueggeman
driving, I spotted a small, white blob in the leaf litter. I
shouted, Brueggemann hit the brakes, and we were treated
to a slime mold, covered in low, round bumps. The round
bumps were fruiting heads, just beginning to develop. Since
immature slime molds are difficult to identify, we returned
the next morning.
The fruiting heads had matured overnight, turning
brownish in color, revealing itself to be a chocolate tube slime
(Stenomitis spp.). Chocolate tubes, also called pipe cleaner
slimes, have bunched, columnar, chocolate brown fruiting
heads supported by short, thin stalks. The erect columns
of this specimen had already withered and collapsed into
a twisted mass, preparing to release its spores in hopes of
landing on moist habitat suitable for germination.
A slime mold’s life begins as a single-celled amoeba,
emerging from a germinated, cracked-open spore. The amoeba
prowls about, engulfing and digesting bacteria, algae, fungal
spores and odd bits of organic matter. To move through wet
environments, many species grow a whip-like tail to propel
themselves. When the environment dries up, the tail retracts.
When an amoeba is lucky enough to meet another, their
bodies and nuclei fuse in a form of primitive sex. Now a
plasmodium, the organism continues to feed while the nuclei
inside divide until there are millions. Spread microscopically
thin, a single-celled plasmodium can encompass several
square yards.
Eventually, the plasmodium migrates from its feeding area
and perches on a high spot, such as a log, tree trunk or the
top of leaf litter, where its spores can catch a breeze. Now
stationary, the plasmodium transforms into fruiting bodies,
inside of which the nuclei develop into spores and the life
cycle begins again.
Slime molds have a clever adaptation that might explain
their eons-long survival on this sometimes harsh planet.
When exposed to dry, cold or foodless conditions, they can
dehydrate and enter into a state of dormancy lasting weeks,
centuries and possibly millennia. When favorable conditions
return, they re-hydrate and dormancy is broken. This strategy
is especially advantageous for slime molds living in desert
soils, on mountain tops and other extreme environments.
Many-headed Slime
During our photo expedition, Brueggemann was keen to
show me a many-headed slime (Physarum spp.). Previously,
he had seen its beautiful, yellow plasmodia growing vein-like
on logs, leaf litter and even large mushrooms. Though we did
not find the slime in the field, its story is worth telling.
Unique among slime molds, many-headed slimes have
large plasmodia, easily visible to the naked eye. Because they
are easy to grow in petri dishes, they are the world’s moststudied slime mold. One revelation from the lab is that the
plasmodia of slime molds propel themselves by rhythmic
contractions that push cell fluids back and forth in waves
from their center to their extremities. The many-headed
slime has been clocked at a tire-squealing speed of over an
inch per minute. Having precise control of the contractions,
they can change speed, reverse direction, steer around
distasteful items (think bright light or salt) and send tendrils
out to explore for food and suitable habitat.
Experiments show that Physarum can solve mazes in
search of food. It extends tendrils on all paths until it finds the
food, then retracts all except the feeding tendril. Later, when
placed in the same maze, the slime mold can recall the correct
path to its meal. In another experiment, many-headed slimes
were hit with shots of cold air at regular intervals. Their
response was to retract. Amazingly, they learned to expect
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
31
A many-headed slime plasmodium
growing on a log at Indian Cave.
CHANCE BRUEGGEMANN
the blast and retracted in anticipation.
Contrary to traditional beliefs about primitive organisms,
these behaviors suggest that slime molds have forms of
intelligence and memory comparable to simple animals that
possess nerves and elementary brains. Scientists are unsure
how intelligence and memory work in slime molds, but
assume it is through chemical messaging in the cell fluids.
For now, it remains a mystery.
Dog Vomit
Last August, while tussling with our English Cocker pup in
the front yard, I spotted several white blobs clinging to the
grass. The blobs were dog vomit — not from our pup, but the
so-named slime mold (Fuligo septica).
This grossly, but aptly-named species indeed looks like dog
vomit, especially the foamy kind they expel after eating too
much grass. The yellow-colored form of this species is often
called scrambled eggs slime mold.
Dog vomit is widespread, possibly the most readily
observed of the slime molds. It inhabits forest floors and logs,
urban mulch piles, gardens and lawns. Its appearance in our
yard was abrupt, as I had just mowed a day or two prior. A few
days after I first observed the dog vomit, its white fruiting
heads faded to tan in color and hardened with calcium. Soon
32
Nebraskaland • May 2022
after, it disintegrated, releasing its black spores.
Although the dog vomit patches in my yard were at most
a few inches across, infestations can be quite large. In 1973
in a Dallas suburb, a particularly large outbreak of dog vomit
spread across lawns. Panicking, residents called firefighters
to hose the mysterious blobs into oblivion. The jets of water
only broke the slime mold into pieces that continued to
slither and grow, sending suburban imaginations further out
of control.
Possibly stoked by the 1958 sci-fi movie The Blob, they
now feared that indestructible alien creatures had invaded
their neighborhood, even as scientists reassured them that
the invaders were harmless, earthly slime molds. Eventually,
the “aliens” dissipated on their own, without the need for a
nuclear strike.
The Dallas scare testifies to how little we, as a society,
perceive and understand nature. Botanists use the phrase
“plant blindness” to refer to the general public’s inability
to see or notice plants in their environment. This is likely
because plants are green, stationary and less eye-catching
than mobile and more colorful animals.
As a botanist, I must now confess to “slime mold blindness.”
All the years I have hiked Nebraska woodlands, head cranked
down searching for plants, I have been oblivious to these
beautiful and fascinating organisms. What I have missed! N
Dog vomit growing in the author’s front yard.
A damaged dog vomit seeps the
amber liquid in which its spores
develop.
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
33
“Utter
Disregard
for Peril”
Nebraska cowboys at Round
Valley in Custer County, 1888.
History Nebraska RG2608-1423
Eyewitness
Account of an 1870s
Nebraska Roundup
By David L. Bristow, History Nebraska
y the mid-1870s Nebraska’s open-range cattle industry
… was experiencing growing pains,” writes historian
Jim Potter. In the Platte Valley and the Panhandle,
people worried about the “introduction of Texas cattle
to supply the Indian agencies, unregulated ‘round-ups’ that
caused ownership disputes (in winter, long hair made brands
hard to see), and bulls running at large year round.”
In early 1875, cattlemen met in Ogallala to organize
the Stock-Growers Association of Western Nebraska. At
the group’s request, the state legislature authorized stock
inspectors and limited the roundup period to May 15 through
November 15.
The association then organized their first official roundup
to begin in Sidney on May 15. One party followed Pole Creek
up from Sidney and eventually worked east down both the
South and North Platte rivers. A second party worked west
from North Platte as far as Ash Hollow.
What was such a roundup like? Potter found a lively
‘‘B
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Nebraskaland
• May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
35
Cowboy and herd in Cherry County in 1889.
History Nebraska RG2608-3300
Lee Brothers Ranch at Brownlee, Cherry County, in 1900. History Nebraska RG2608-1837
36
Nebraskaland
• May 2022
A circa-1910 Nebraska roundup, from the collection of Chadron judge and newspaper editor Eli Ricker.
History Nebraska RG1227-15-3
eyewitness account of the following year’s roundup in the
North Platte{Western Nebraskian of June 17, 1876:
“... The cattle [were] sighted, scattered here and there in
bunches, ranging from five to two hundred head, which at
sight of a horseman would break and run. Then comes the
excitement — up gulch, down canyons, over hills and tablelands, on a long steady run, in their vain efforts to escape
from the boys who are pursuing them, horses and riders
equally thrilled with the excitement of the chase; ’tis grand,
exhilarating, and as the cattle are overtaken, checked and
put with another bunch or bunches, they are then driven to
the rodeo ground.
“Then comes the separation or ‘cutting.’ A band of a
thousand head [is] surrounded by twenty horsemen or more.
One party, employees of the owner, enter the herd, select the
animals bearing the owner’s brand and mark, cutting each
animal from the main herd and making a bunch of that brand
until all are separated.
“This ‘cutting’ is exciting work. Now going at full speed as
the animal makes an effort to get again with the main bunch;
now stopping and wheeling as quick as a flash of lightning,
dodging, twisting, until the animal perceives the folly of its
efforts and permits itself to be driven to the bunch or brand
where it belongs.
“No horsemanship can excel that which is displayed by an
experienced cow-boy. As they dash over the rough prairie at
the top of their mustang’s speed, [avoiding] great numbers of
holes, the work of prairie dogs and our family of sub-soilers,
the utter disregard of their peril is something as courageous
as it is rash.
“The training of the ‘cutting’ horses is something
wonderful. No matter what distance the cutting horse has
traveled, how fatigued it may be, the moment you ride it into
the herd every muscle, every faculty, is on the alert and the
intelligence they display is something almost human; and
occasionally you hear a cow-boy speaking of his favorite, ‘He
knows more than most of men,’ is the usual expression.
“All the cattle separated, each man holds his brand separate,
another bunch is gathered and separated until night. ...
Such is the routine, each day having its incidents. In case
of dispute as to who owns an animal, the animal is lassoed,
thrown down, and all marks examined and the ownership is
readily proven. A great many true gentlemen can be found
among these wild fellows, men that are honest, intelligent,
and when one offers his friendship, it is a friendship that will
stand all tests.” N
Visit History Nebraska’s website at history.nebraska.gov.
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
37
In Hot Pursuit
How to Get Involved
Ready to begin your Great Park Pursuit
adventure? Visit negpp.org and click “Get
started” to sign-up your
team for free. Browse the
“Locations” tab to learn
more about this year’s park
sites and find one near you.
Make sure to check out the
“Activities” tab for ideas
on fun activities for kids to
enjoy when you make your visit. The program
runs from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2022.
Story and photos by Renae Blum
t had already been an enjoyable day: wading in Pawnee
Lake, picnicking along the shore, chasing Frisbees and
etching names in the sand. But it was perhaps a simple
green post that garnered the most excitement of all.
“I see it! I see it!”
Spotting the familiar outline along a wooded trail, Kenzie
and Ellie Muma of Papillion took off at a breakneck pace,
racing to get there first. Once their laughing parents caught
up, the girls took turns pressing a sheet of paper to the top of
the post, making a rubbing with a crayon.
It’s an experience the Muma family enjoyed several times
I
that summer: visiting a Nebraska park, following clues to a
post, making rubbings and mailing them in for a chance at
prizes.
That’s much of the idea behind the Great Park Pursuit, a
free treasure-hunt-style program that plays out each year
at parks across Nebraska. Twenty official sites are selected
each year, including city parks, state parks, natural resource
district areas and sometimes national park areas. Teams can
visit as many as they choose, following clues to Great Park
Pursuit posts and logging their visits on paper or in a mobile
app for entry into prize drawings.
The Great Park Pursuit makes it easy to plan
an outdoor experience. The park information
sheets include detailed descriptions of each
site, including directions and information on
park amenities and activities. You can mark
your visit to a Great Park Pursuit post with
either the official app or the information sheet;
some walking may be required to reach the
post.
Amanda Fryzek and Vince Muma pause along a park trail
with three of their children, 1-year-old Elijah, 4-year-old Ellie
and 5-year-old Kenzie.
After following clues to a Great Park Pursuit post, Kenzie Muma creates a rubbing to mail in for entry into prize drawings.
Participants can also log their visits to a post with the Great Park Pursuit app, but this family prefers the rubbing sheets.
38
Nebraskaland • May 2022
Past prizes have included a GoPro camera, backyard bird
packages, two-night cabin stays, magazine subscriptions,
park entry permits, and the grand prize, $1,500 of outdoor
gear.
It’s a popular program, too: Each year, participants
make over 100,000 park visits, with more than 700 teams
participating.
The Mumas have participated for several years now, and
it’s become a mainstay in their lives. “It kind of lays out the
summer for us,” said Amanda Fryzek. “It gives us different
vacation plans for the weekends to enjoy with family.”
Her husband Vince guesses that they have visited more
than 50 sites in total. They’ve stood beneath a waterfall at
Smith Falls State Park, watched reenactors make candles at
Indian Cave State Park, and splashed in puddles at Pacific
Preserve in Omaha. They even discovered a park in their own
neighborhood that they’d never visited: Halleck Park, a new
favorite.
“This program really gets us to check out new places,”
Amanda said. “We’ve gone back to Halleck Park so many
times now.”
Her family’s experience of the Great Park Pursuit has been
Anyone can participate. Teams can be made
up of individuals, families, friends, coworkers,
youth organizations or any other group you
belong to. Both the program and app are free;
you only need to pay for postage when mailing
in rubbings. Follow the Great Park Pursuit on
Facebook for additional tips and information.
The Great Park Pursuit is a joint program of
the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
and the Nebraska Recreation and Park
Association. Sponsors include the PapioMissouri River Natural Resources District
and the Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians
Association.
a family affair from the start. Their oldest son, 11-year-old
Keenan, introduced them to the program after trying it with
his grandma. Since then, they’ve shared park visits with all
their family and closest friends, and Amanda’s mom buys
them state park passes each year for Christmas so they can
continue enjoying the Great Park Pursuit.
One benefit of the Great Park Pursuit is that it’s an easy,
cost-effective option for family fun, Amanda said. It also
keeps them active and introduces them to Nebraska’s lesserknown gems.
“People think you have to travel far to see something really
cool, and that’s not the case at all,” Amanda said. “Nebraska
has such cool, unique places to visit. There are so many
places to see and things to do here that we wouldn’t have
done without the Great Park Pursuit.” N
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
39
My City Sanctuary
Story and photos by Marissa Jensen
uiet amid noise seems like a
contradiction, and yet, I’ve
discovered it in the most
surprising of places.
Omaha is a bustling city where
everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere
— now. This incessant busyness is
overwhelming. Every day, as weekdays
feel longer and demands scream louder,
I feel a part of me slipping away in all
the noise. It was on such a morning,
while in search of something “more”
both within myself and outdoors,
when I found the cure I was looking
for. While walking a path near my
house, I stumbled across a newfound
Q
love nestled deep within the city:
Bluestem Prairie Preserve — a section
of vestigial habitat of native grasses
and wildflowers.
Like my own Central Park, these 21
acres serve as a memory of what once
was and the inspiration of what could
be. Although that wasn’t my first visit
to this nearby prairie, this day marked
a transition within myself, and over
the past year, I set about to explore this
sanctuary and found a land teeming
with possibility and life.
Hidden gems lie within the confines
of all cities. From parks to ponds and
paths to prairies, wilderness exists in
ABOVE: My red-tailed hawk shadow.
OPPOSITE: A female great-horned owl sits on a new nest.
40
Nebraskaland
• May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
41
A squirrel keeping an eye on my wanderings.
An American goldfinch showing off its winter plumage.
the most unexpected places, waiting
for our curiosity to find it. As the New
Year began, I met a pair of breeding
great horned owls searching for their
perfect nesting site. I’m glad they
found one here, which allowed them
to raise their chicks at a safe distance
from the noise that wrapped around
them. Watching this next generation
grow and thrive was a reminder that
life is much bigger than ourselves.
A red-tailed hawk became a beloved
42
Nebraskaland
• May 2022
friend who visited me on multiple
outings, as if he were a shadow on
my walks. He didn’t seem to mind my
presence, and in fact, may have used it
as a tool to hunt. He often followed me,
scanning the grass for critters I kicked
up. Watching him enabled me to see
this land in new light. With him, I bore
witness to the circle of life, the elegant
dance between predator and prey.
As winter thawed, the prairie
awakened, and the sights and sounds
of spring slowly came to life. The
seasonal restlessness of spring is
carried upon the wings of migration,
and sanctuaries such as these provide
a much-needed respite for many birds
on their long journeys home. Lying in
bed at night, I listened for the coyote’s
lonely cry. With my window cracked
in invitation, the timbre of the prairie
helped me drift off to sleep.
Summer brought warmth and colors,
with a canvas of wildflowers to greet
me and the insects each morning.
Monarch butterflies floated among
the milkweed, while a symphony of
grassland birds sang their songs. A
mulberry tree, heavy with the ripe
taste of summer, would provide a
welcome treat. Sitting in its ancient
shadow, I reflected upon the history
of this place and how it was becoming
a part of me. Days after this visit, a
reminder of those mulberries remained
stained on my thumb.
A monarch butterfly nectaring on milkweed.
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
43
Summer’s palette courtesy of freshly picked mulberries.
A bumblebee gets nectar from a lovely coneflower.
A cedar waxwing takes rest under a canopy of trees which line the prairie.
44
Nebraskaland
• May 2022
A juvenile red-tailed hawk.
Then, like in the blink of an eye,
the season fades into fall and winter,
as once again, waves of wildlife move
on with the tide of migration. Vibrant
colors lie dormant until rising up with
spring’s new growth.
Left behind to watch the seasons
and wildlife transition each year, I
ponder what this place has taught me.
Quiet patience and appreciation of
little and seemingly common things
were all subtleties I had previously
taken for granted. During visits to
my city sanctuary, I developed a love
and adoration for these little gems,
all tucked within my neighborhood
city. Each walk promised a glimpse of
something wild and the realization
that wilderness is never too far outside
our reach.
Now, I wait. As winter’s cold breath
wanes, I patiently anticipate the
prairie’s green shoots. What lies in wait
for this city sanctuary, and likewise,
myself? How will the coming years
transform who we are and how we
grow? Only time will tell. All I know is
that I will continue to walk the trails
and search for meaning, regardless of
the season. And perhaps someday, a
kindred soul will visit and find what
they’ve been searching for as well. N
Omaha native Marissa Jensen is a
writer and photographer who spends
her free time exploring the unexpected
wilderness of Nebraska.
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
45
6
Another Hobby
7
1. Two-piece fly-rod – These
rods come in various lengths
and weights. A fly can be left
on the line when it’s broken
down to two pieces.
2. Four-piece fly-rod – Same
as the two-piece versions,
these models can be more
easily packed for local or
out-of-town trips or left in
the vehicle in a rod case
throughout the fishing season.
A Fly-fishing Primer
By Jeff Kurrus
urrus
F
ly-fishing
ng often gets a bad rap,
r accused
a used off having too many accoutrements
accu
and being
g too pricy. Yet a bare
ba
are bones,
bo
oness, Walmart
Walm
mart rod-reel combo costs less
than $50,, and some of the ot
other
supplies
ther supp
plies can
c be found around the
house. If you talk to an exper
experienced
angler,
riencced fly ang
gler, more specifically a fly
tier, you’ll probably
enough
obably walk away with
w enou
ugh flies
i to last you several
trips. And the
more
y
e casting is nothing
g mor
re than
th
han practice.
pra
actice. Pull the fl
fly
hard off the water above your head,
he
ead, wait
w t long enough to allow
the line to straighten
raighten behind you,
you
u, then
the
en gently
ge
ently move your
arm back forward
ward to cast your fly.
y Before
Be
efore long, you’ll be
casting as farr as you want.
Until then, take a look at this checklist.
c cklistt. N
chec
9
10
3. Fly-rod case – These hard
cases protect fly rods from
breaking and are designed for
two- or four-piece rods.
4. Fly assortment – Flies should
match the fish you seek,
including dry flies, wet flies,
popping bugs or weighted
flies.
8
3
5. Fly box – Container for holding
flies. Optimally can fit in the
angler’s pocket.
11
2
6. Fly-fishing bag – Carrying case
for desired equipment.
7. Leader line – Usually
monofilament line that
connects to the fly line on one
end and the fly on the other.
8. Fly line – Because most flies
are so light, fly line is used to
transfer the energy from the
cast from the fly rod to the
fly. The fly line weight must
match the rod weight.
12
5
9. Waders/Hip Boots – Allows
anglers to wade when stream
or lake fishing. Waders come
in a variety of types, including
stocking foot models. Hip
boots are handy to keep in
the vehicle at all times.
4
13
10. Forceps/Needle Nose Pliers
– Tools often used to remove
hooks from a fish’s mouth.
11. Wading net – Should match
the species of fish targeted.
14
12. Fly line dressing – Wax-like
substance used to keep
floating fly line clean and
buoyant longer.
1
13. Line cutters – A pair of nail
clippers work just fine.
46
Nebraskaland • May 2022
May 2022 •
Nebraskaland
47
14. Strike indicator – Visual
indicator for subtle strikes.
MIXED BAG
PASS THE SALT
By Roger Welsch
Capital cities of most states are on vital transportation
routes — rivers, railroads, highways. Or perhaps where
there is the promise of wealth from abundant resources
— lumbering, mining, water. But then there’s Lincoln, our
capital city. Railroads and highways have to divert from the
most obvious paths of least resistance — for example, the
Platte Valley — to serve the second smallest city in the state.
There’s certainly no river traffic on Salt Creek.
In fact, not only is water not a Lancaster County asset,
it’s a major problem. Lincoln’s water has to be piped in from
Platte River sands from Ashland 30 miles to the north, the
subsurface water at Lincoln not being suitable for drinking,
and in fact, not even being usable to water lawns or cool
generators.
Some smarties out there already know where I’m going
with this; some of the rest of you may have spotted a clue a
couple of lines above. Lincoln is here precisely because of its
water. Or, perhaps I should say, what’s in the water. There
are hints all around us: Salt Creek … Saline County … Saltillo
…. And less obvious in place names like Boy Scout Camp
Miniskuya at the southwestern edge of the city, Miniskuya
being the Lakota word for salt water. To this day, the Omaha
Tribe knows Lincoln by the name Nithskithe — “Salt.”
It’s hard to imagine these days, when tons of salt are
spread on our streets and highways to remove ice and snow
and dietitians warning us to limit the sodium in our foods,
but before huge salt plugs were mined in Kansas and salt
could be scooped up by giant loaders from the Utah salt
flats, salt was a rare and valuable commodity. There were
phrases like “worth his salt,” a reference to a time when a
man’s day’s work could be paid with a small amount of the
mineral. Plains tribes traveled great distances to come to the
salt “lick” now known as Capital Beach, to dust salt from
thin surface deposits with feather brushes and carry it back
to tribal homes in deerskin bags.
Efforts to extract salt commercially with evaporation
“pans” were never very successful, but one year in Lincoln’s
early development, 62 tons of salt were extracted from
the Lincoln flats. When I was a boy, it was to be a great
adventure to ride the city bus “way west of the city” to
Capital Beach amusement park and swim in the natural salt
water swimming pool, filled from what some believed to be
a vast salt water ocean under Lancaster County. My father
used to tell me about an artesian well of salt water on the
northeast corner of Ninth and O streets, where newcomers
were welcomed to refresh themselves and their horses with
a big gulp of the clear sparkling water, immediately to be spat
out on the pavement when the joke was realized.
Salt is an important part of our geology, history and culture.
And it is easily seen, as much today as ever. Next time you
are on I-80 between Capital Beach Lake and the south end of
the Lincoln airport runways on a hot, dry summer day, glance
quickly to the north. See that white dusting on the ground on
the other side of the fence? It’s Niskithe! Salt! And the reason
for Lincoln.
Roger Welsch is a folklorist, humorist and author who lives
in Dannebrog.
When the soil dries, the concentration of salt becomes obvious — a crust of salt that forms on the surface.
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CHRIS HELZER
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MIXED BAG
OUTDOOR DISCOVERY DAYS
By Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Entomology staff with the Nebraska Department of
Agriculture have participated in the Nebraska Game and
Parks Commission’s Outdoor Discovery Days for several
years. Elementary students from across the state attend
hands-on outdoor learning opportunities each spring, held
at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area and Platte River State
Park. Students learn new outdoor skills and increase their
knowledge of wildlife and the outdoors.
This spring, youth attending Outdoor Discovery Days
will have the opportunity to learn about exotic and invasive
insects that threaten Nebraska’s trees. NDA staff will teach
students about invasive insects including spotted lanternfly,
emerald ash borer (EAB) and Asian longhorned beetle.
Activities will help students better understand the biology
and identification of these pests, preferred hosts, signs and
symptoms of infestation, and how to prevent pests from
becoming established in Nebraska.
Outreach is a very important part of NDA’s work to protect
the state from the introduction and establishment of invasive
species. Teaching the industry and citizens about invasive
species increases the number of eyes looking for signs and
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Nebraskaland • May 2022
Asian longhorn beetle.
KENNETH R. LAW, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
symptoms of these pests. As
more people across the state
know what to look for and how to
report possible invasive species
sightings, the potential increases
that an infestation can be found
early when eradication is most
likely to be successful.
If you think you have seen
an exotic invasive species not
known to occur in Nebraska, such
as spotted lanternfly or Asian
Spotted lanternfly.
longhorned beetle, or think you’ve
RICH GARDNER, BUGWOOD.ORG
found EAB in a Nebraska county
not known to be infested, please report it. Collect the insect
or take pictures. Note the time of day and location where
you found the pest. Reports can be sent to NDA by emailing
agr.plant@nebraska.gov. Or use the Nebraska Invasive
Species Programs online reporting tool, found at
neinvasives.com/report-a-sighting. Together, we can help
protect Nebraska from invasive plant pests.
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RARE BUTTERFLY SURVEY
By Cody Dreier, Pollinator Ecologist, NGPC
The regal fritillary and monarch butterfly are both species
that have been declining and are being considered for listing
on the federal Endangered Species List. The monarch has
already been evaluated, and the determination was that
its listing is considered warranted but currently precluded
because of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s prioritization
of species in need of more urgent attention. This means
that while the monarch meets the requirements for federal
listing, there are too many other species in even worse shape
that take precedence. Listing of the regal fritillary will be
determined in the next few years.
In Nebraska, both butterflies are listed in Nebraska’s
State Wildlife Action Plan as Tier 1 Species of Greatest
Conservation Need. This designation helps us focus
our research on the species that can benefit most from
conservation and management efforts. Because of limited
staffing, some research efforts benefit greatly from help from
the community and volunteers.
The rare butterfly survey relies on the help of trained
volunteers from communities across the state. Volunteers
who help with this community science project walk along
survey routes looking for monarchs and regals. They also
gather vegetation, habitat and land-use information to help
biologists understand where the butterflies are located and
sometimes, more importantly, where they are not on the
landscape.
This project runs from June 15 to August 15 to capture the
Monarch butterfly.
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Nebraskaland • May 2022
Regal fritillary butterfly.
CHRIS HELZER
window of time that both species are in flight in Nebraska.
Monarchs usually arrive in Nebraska around May and stay
through September. Regal fritillaries, however, do not migrate
and have a comparatively narrow window of time when they
are active in the state.
Please consider attending one of three free training events
planned for this project this spring. The first is an in-person
training on May 21 at Schramm Park State Recreation Area
near Gretna. The second is a virtual training on May 26 on
Zoom. The last is another in-person training on June 4 at
Homestead National Historic Park near Beatrice.
Only one training is needed to participate in the
survey, and they will run from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
The first hour of the training is open to anyone
who would like to learn more about monarchs,
regals, common plants and other community
science opportunities. After this introduction,
anyone interested in participating in the survey
will learn the ins-and-outs of the methods during
the remainder of the training.
These training sessions will provide the skills and
materials needed to participate in this project and
help contribute important data for the conservation
of these rare butterflies. Registration is required.
Please sign up for one of the events at Calendar.
OutdoorNebraska.gov or through the events links at
facebook.com/nebraskaMPI. Further details
will be sent to registered participants. For more
information or questions about the project, contact
Pollinator Ecologist Cody Dreier at cody.dreier@
nebraska.gov or at 402-471-1755.
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PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST
Atkinson Pheasant Hunt,
1980.
This picture was taken
in Atkinson (Holt County)
on opening day of pheasant
season in 1980.
Front Row: Bryan
Slaymaker, Ray Shaffer, Troy
Shaffer and Claire Beck.
Back Row: Larry Ries,
Roger Ries, Harry Morgan
and Dean Gotschall.
My dad, Larry Ries, has
kept this picture tucked
away for a long time. Two
of the men in the picture are
no longer living, so this is a
very cherished memory. This
was one of Bryan’s first big
pheasant hunts.
Dad gets Nebraskaland
and shares it with all of us
kids and grandkids. We love
this magazine!
– Brandi Mitchell,
Atkinson
Deer Hunt South of Worms, 1953.
This photo was taken on Harold
Luebbe’s property south of Worms
after a successful deer hunt in
1953. The hunters were Arnold
Luebbe, Bill Stolle and Bill Carter,
all of Grand Island. Posing with the
game were Conni (Stolle) Bales,
now of Omaha and Barb (Luebbe)
Sander, now of Holdrege.
Arnold Luebbe was my wife’s
uncle, and Harold was her dad.
– Bob Sander, Holdrege
Pheasant Hunt near Shickley, 1986.
My best friend, Bob Anderson, of more than 50 years
just passed this spring, and we found this picture and
displayed it at his funeral service.
This was taken outside of Shickley in 1986. Four of
us and our sons and another friend are in the picture.
From left to right are Bob and Blake Anderson, Mike
and Marsh Kelley, Mike and Kevin Eisenhower, Dick
and Mike Ripley and Dick Young (all from Lincoln).
Plus, Rixie and Roses, our goldens.
– Mike Kelley, Lincoln
Fishing near Palisade, 1940s.
This is a picture of my father-in-law
Dr. F.M. Karrar (far right) and friend.
– Bev Karrar, Omaha
Send contributions to: Portraits from the Past, Nebraskaland Magazine, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370. Or e-mail to Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov.
Photos should show people enjoying Nebraska outdoor activities, such as camping, boating, hunting or fishing, and must have been taken before 2000. We will give
priority to unusual photos or activities. When possible, please include a story about the photograph and identify the people, places and approximate date it was
taken. Text may be edited and photos adjusted for reproduction. All photos will be returned.
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THE LAST STOP
Need final House Ads by
March 22nd
SMILING FOR, AND AT, PHOTOS
By Justin Haag
Through the years, I have taken countless pictures of
my son and daughter holding fish. From dinky perch and
crappies to much larger bass and northern pike, no catch
has been off limits for a snapshot. Chances are, you have
been exposed to some of those pictures in the pages of this
magazine and other Game and Parks materials.
Now that my son is in college and my daughter in high
school, the photos bring a smile as I look back at them and
relive the years along the shoreline, on kayaks, on ice or in
a boat.
One photo from the mid-2000s makes me smile a little more
than the others. It is a low-resolution image taken during an
impromptu trip to the nearby Chadron City Reservoirs. I’m
holding a largemouth bass and at my side is my preschool
son, Sawyer, his prized Spongebob fishing combo and a little
bluegill. Sawyer’s Cabela’s hat is hardly shading his chubby
cheeks, and his Husker shirt is barely containing remnants
of his baby fat.
Moments prior to that photo, I had helped him set the
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Nebraskaland • May 2022
hook on that little bluegill, the first of many caught that day.
After assuming full control of the rod, he gritted his teeth,
laboriously turned the handle, and said, “Dang, it’s hard.”
The struggle came as some disappointment to his father.
“What kind of wimp am I raising here? It’s just a little
bluegill,” I thought.
Soon, I would see a much larger fish — a largemouth
bass — rise to the surface and create a swirl. It was then
apparent why Sawyer was laboring during the retrieve.
Turns out that small bluegill, fighting a struggle of its own,
served as a superb lure for a nearby bucketmouth looking
for a meal.
Thankfully, I had a little point-and-shoot digital camera
with a timer along that day to document one of the first of so
many of my kids’ prized, and not-so-prized, catches.
My budding angler got a hands-on lesson about how the
food chain works that day, while Dad got a lesson that things
are sometimes not as they first appear in fishing … or, of
course, in parenting.
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Position: 677 (25 views)