Volume 104, Issue 6, 2026
July 2026
- Title:
- Volume 104, Issue 6, 2026
- Issue Name:
- July 2026
- Date Issued:
- 2026-07-01
- year:
- 2026
- month:
- July
- Season:
- Summer
- PDF filename:
- NL_104.06_2026_Jul_Spreads_Entire
- Cover image:
- NL_104.06_2026_Jul_Cover.jpg
- Publisher:
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Format:
- Periodical
- volume:
- 104
- issue:
- 06
- number:
- 104.06
- Decade:
- 2020s
- Type:
- Rights Holder:
- Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, all rights reserved.
- Subject:
- nebraskaland
- Extracted Text:
-
I N S P I R I N G O U T D O O R A DV E N T U R E S I N C E 1 92 6
J U LY 2 02 6
LEARN THE
SCIENCE BEHIND
WILDLIFE
COLORS
page 42
INSIDE
Wildflowers Take Root • A Return to One Square Meter
Building Lake McConaughy • Eyes in the Woods
Captured on Camera • 25,600 ISO
2
Nebraskaland • July 2026
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
3
Volume 104
•
No. 6
•
July 2026
20
ILDFLOWERS TAKE ROOT IN
W
NEBRASKALAND
26
OUTDOOR NEBRASKA
What to Do in July
By Gerry Steinauer
By Jeff Kurrus
28
EXPLORING THE HIDDEN PRAIRIE
A SECOND TIME
Story and photos by Chris Helzer
36
BUILDING LAKE MCCONAUGHY
By David L. Bristow
Nebraska State Historical Society
40
42
EYES IN THE WOODS
By Gerry Steinauer
THE SCIENCE BEHIND
WILDLIFE COLORS
By Monica Macoubrie
Departments
8 Your Nebraska
12 In the Field
Mixed Bag
51
58 Portraits from the Past
60 The Last Stop
On the Web
For more articles and information,
visit NebraskalandMagazine.com
Nebraskaland (VOL. 104 / NO. 6 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 all UAA to CFS. (See DMM 507.1.5.2); NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY
FACILITIES: send address corrections to Nebraskaland, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370.
4
Nebraskaland • July 2026
Cover: Red is one of those colors that instantly catches
your eye in the wild — like with this plains milk snake
(Lampropeltis triangulum) — and it rarely shows up by
accident. See story on page 42.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
This page: Sunflowers grow on sandbars along the
Platte River in Hall County. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
5
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.
Magazine Staff
Communications Director Christy Firestone
Public Relations Manager Shawna Richter-Ryerson
Editor Jeff Kurrus
Associate Editor Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
Regional Editors Eric Fowler, Julie Geiser,
Justin Haag
Contributing Editor Michael Forsberg
Regular Contributors Chris Helzer, Chris Masada,
Todd Mills, Ryan Sparks, Gerry Steinauer
Art Director Ryan Holt
Graphic Designer Mel Severin
Videographer Nick Sauvageau
Photo Librarian Jaclyn Cruikshank Vogt
Administration
Director Tim McCoy
Chair - Donna Kush, Omaha
Vice Chair - Dan Hughes, Venango
Magazine Subscriptions
For address changes, magazine and subscription
questions, 800-632-5263 or visit
nebraskalandmagazine.com
Advertising
For advertising information, contact:
Shane G. Gilster, 402-742-0125
shanegilster@solotreemedia.com
Once endangered due to harmful effects
from the pesticide DDT, peregrine falcons
were removed from the U.S. Endangered
Species List in 1999 after major recovery
efforts. Today in Nebraska, they nest on
cliffs and buildings, the most famous of
which is the Nebraska State Capitol.
Kurt Arganbright, Valentine
Scott Cassels, Omaha
John Hoggatt, Kearney
Kent McNeill, Papillion
Steve Mossman, Lincoln
Lisa Roskens, Omaha
Doug Zingula, Sidney
Nebraskaland Magazine Copyright 2026, 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
Northeast District Office
2201 N. 13th St. Norfolk, NE 68701
Phone 402-370-3374
Southwest District Office
301 E. State Farm Rd. North Platte, NE 69101
Phone 308-535-8025
Northwest District Office (temporary)
1317 W 3rd St., Alliance, NE 69301
Phone 308-763-2940
Bassett Office
524 Panzer St., Box 508 Bassett, NE 68714
Phone 402-684-2921
South Central District Office
1617 First Ave. Kearney, NE 68847
Phone 308-865-5310
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
OutdoorNebraska.gov
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission does not discriminate
based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, 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 Equal
Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE 402-471-2024, TTY/TDD 800-6426112; Director, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior,
1849 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20240.
6
Nebraskaland • July 2026
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
ADMINISTRATION
Jeff Clauson
402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Administrator
Travis Shepler
402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Asst. Administrator
Stacey Lewton 402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Asst. Administrator
Mike Thome
402-471-5531
Lincoln HQ
Asst. Administrator
(Includes counties covered)
NORTHWEST
Sean McKeehan 308-672-1824
Captain
SOUTH SUB-DISTRICT
Jerod Hahn
308-520-5539
Sergeant
Grant Albrecht 531-229-4405
Cheyenne, Deuel, Kimball
Hunter Lee
308-280-4320
Keith, Deuel
Jaden Porter
308-289-2274
Garden, Grant
Tyler Stueck
308-289-6260
Keith, Arthur
Keith Jadlowski 531-310-2869
Keith, Arthur
NORTH SUB-DISTRICT
Casey Gehrt
402-617-2112
Sergeant
Josh Widhelm
308-279-9133
Scotts Bluff, Banner, Sioux
Brandon Wallace 308-280-4488
Scotts Bluff, Banner, Sioux
Travis Schultz
308-279-1292
Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Box Butte
Vacant:
Dawes, Sheridan, Sioux
Cassidy Harwood308-562-9099
Box Butte, Sheridan
Justin Gress
308-629-9335
Dawes, Sioux, Sheridan
NORTHEAST
Dale Davis
402-760-0712
Captain
WEST SUB-DISTRICT
Jeff Jones
402-762-5022
Sergeant
Hannah Holtmeier 402-601-7514
Boyd, Holt
Greg Hesse
308-546-7464
Rock, Brown, Keya Paha
Jonathan Andreasen 402-340-3981
Madison, Pierce
Trevor Stahlecker402-928-9099
Knox, Antelope, Pierce
Mitch Johnson 402-613-8612
Cedar, Knox
EAST SUB-DISTRICT
Cory Krause
402-380-6410
Sergeant
Kyler Prochaska 402-830-8278
Platte, Colfax
Matt Costello
402-317-4014
Dodge, Colfax
Kelbi Abke
402-237-2537
Washington, Burt
Nicholas Fix
402-508-0261
Dixon, Dakota, Thurston
Kyle Hansen
531-739-7392
Dodge
Vacant:
Cuming, Wayne, Stanton
CENTRAL SUB-DISTRICT
Doug Pollard
308-730-7050
Sergeant
Vacant:
Howard, Greeley, Merrick
Matt Brandt
308-202-0819
Sherman, Howard
Klint Gill
402-613-5800
Nance, Wheeler, Boone, Polk
Garrett Zimmer 402-416-5736
Garfield, Loup, Valley
SOUTHWEST
Brian Piernicky 308-330-8780
Captain
NORTH SUB-DISTRICT
Alex Hasenauer 308-660-4671
Sergeant
Frank Miller
402-389-0444
Cherry, Hooker
Dana Miller
531-229-4404
Cherry, Hooker
Luis Nuñez
531-333-6093
Blaine, Custer, Thomas
Jacob Stoinski
308-395-6001
Lincoln, Perkins
Brandon O’Neal 308-530-3157
Lincoln, McPherson, Logan
SOUTH SUB-DISTRICT
Kelsey Glodowski 308-242-9000
Sergeant
Logan Smith
531-229-4406
Frontier, Furnas, Red Willow
Bryce Streger
308-537-0404
Dawson, Gosper
Logan Sanders 402-601-6302
Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock, Red Willow
Tyler Adelman 402-314-4783
Dawson, Gosper
Sophia Gobber 308-222-0368
Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock
SOUTHEAST
Matt Seitz
402-806-0915
Captain
WEST SUB-DISTRICT
Matt Taylor
402-200-9597
Sergeant
Carson Ford:
402-902-2017
Adams, Clay, Webster
Vacant:
Thayer, Nuckolls, Fillmore
Trey Kirch:
308-920-2762
Harlan, Franklin, Phelps
Vacant:
Buffalo, Kearney
EAST SUB-DISTRICT
Heath Packett
402-210-0888
Sergeant
Brett Greenfield 531-350-0915
Cass
Russell Mort
402-209-1506
Otoe, Johnson
Rich Berggren
402-619-1355
Douglas
Brian Arp
531-530-9011
Douglas, Sarpy
Mike Luben
402-443-6392
Saunders
Bryan Adams
402-429-1924
Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson
CENTRAL SUB-DISTRICT
Curt Prohaska 402-470-1298
Sergeant
Easton Albrecht 531-229-4407
Lancaster
Benjamin Keller 308-430-5500
Gage, Jefferson
Mark McDonald 402-805-2353
Lancaster
Mark Sullivan
402-741-0636
Lancaster, Seward, Butler
Jarrod Messman 531-739-9760
Lancaster, Saline, York
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
7
Instagram Photos
Your Nebraska
Follow us @nebraskaland and tag us in your
photos to be featured in an upcoming issue.
Robert Hrabik, Louisville
Sunset on the Plains
Roger Richters, Utica
Glorious Sunset
Jane Murray, Tilden
Great Horned Owl with Dinner
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.
Gordon Warrick, Valentine
Boreal Chorus Frog ... and Mosquito
8
Nebraskaland • July 2026
Curt Blum, Lincoln
Baird’s Sandpiper
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
9
Your Nebraska
It is dark, all-encompassing, and foreboding.
An invisible black murky wall obstructs all that
wishes to move forward. Light is absent. Yet the air
is already full. The local fowl sense something is
happening, is about to commence, and is making
morning noise. Chirping conversations unfold.
Good mornings in bird language.
Songbird ambassadors spread the news:
the end of the ominous black night is near,
signaling the launch of a new bustling day.
From Bryan Mellage’s unpublished essay, “The Battle.”
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
10
Nebraskaland • July 2026
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
11
In the Field
Reasons to install trail cameras are numerous, including catching never-before-seen
scenes on your land — like a common snapping turtle following a game trail between
a sandpit and the south channel of the Platte River in Hall County.
See story on page 14.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
12
Nebraskaland • July 2026
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
13
In the Field
Captured on Camera
By John Laux
With the help of the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pheasants
Forever and the Natural Resources Conservation Service,
my family and I completed a wetland restoration project
on our property in Brown County.
In 2024, we installed a water-control structure and
repaired the levees around our ponds, removed invasive
trees and excavated sediment deposited in our slough
channels along Plum Creek to enhance the habitat for
migratory birds, native fish and other wildlife.
We were excited to see how wildlife would respond, but
living several hours away created obvious challenges. My
kids and I decided to set up a trail camera on one of the
wetlands to keep tabs on the activity from home.
First and foremost, the camera has been a great scouting
tool for waterfowl hunting, but the variety of wildlife
using our property has been absolutely amazing. Plus, it’s
another outdoor activity to do with my kids.
Submit your trail cam photos to jeff.kurrus@nebraska.gov to
be featured in a future edition of Nebraskaland Magazine.
Canada geese
Raccoon
River otter
Trumpeter swans
Bobcat
Coyote
14
Nebraskaland • July 2026
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
15
In the Field
Raising Nature-Confident Kids
By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist
If you’ve ever taken a kid outside and heard “it’s too hot,”
“there’s a bug on me” or “can we go back inside?”, you’re not
alone. In Nebraska, we have so much open space to explore,
but that doesn’t automatically mean kids, or even adults,
feel comfortable in it. That comfort must be built slowly
and intentionally.
Nature confidence doesn’t start with a perfect hike or
some magical, screen-free moment. It usually starts small,
and it can be a little messy.
The author’s daughter explores a rocky hill
she climbed. MONICA MACOUBRIE
The Truth About Bugs, Mud and Wind
Nebraska is not always gentle. It’s windy, it’s buggy, and
there are mosquitoes — sometimes all at once. If you wait for
the perfect day to go outside, you never will.
It’s tempting to try to make everything comfortable so
kids don’t complain, but that usually backfires. Instead, be
real about it.
“Yeah, it’s windy today. That’s kind of what the prairie does.”
Or say, “The mosquitoes are annoying, but we can handle it.”
That honesty sets a different tone — it shows kids that
a little discomfort isn’t something to avoid. It’s just part of
the experience.
16
Nebraskaland • July 2026
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
Places like Nebraska state parks or local nature areas make
this easy because there’s already so much to notice. The goal
isn’t to make them experts, it’s to help them feel like they
understand what’s around them. That’s what replaces fear
with confidence.
My daughter has been going outside with me since the
first week she was born and, seven years later, I can see
how nature confident she’s become. She picks up snakes on
trails, avoids plants she doesn’t know, and understands her
limits when climbing trees. She still looks to me for advice
on some things, but at this point, I’m more of a guide than
a protector. Watching her explore, problem-solve and take
careful risks on her own is one of the most rewarding parts
of being a parent — and it all started with simply stepping
outside together.
Let Them Be New at It
A lot of kids aren’t used to being outside for long stretches
of time, and that’s OK. The first few times you go out, don’t
expect much. Go somewhere easily accessible, like a local
park, where the trails are simple and there’s plenty to see
without having to “work” for it. And then, let kids lead.
If a child wants to crouch down and study a beetle for
15 minutes, that’s not wasted time — that is the activity.
That’s how confidence begins: Feeling safe to be curious
instead of rushed.
I remember one hike with my daughter when she was still
in a stroller. We planned to reach the top of a beautiful trail for
the view, but we spent nearly two hours covering about 1,000
feet — and eventually had to turn back. Still, she talks about
that hike all the time, because she got to look at the leaves,
climb a tree and search for snails. Those moments built her
confidence, even though it was frustrating for me at the time
to adjust our plans. In the end, it was completely worth it.
Families at a Homeschool Hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area.
Give Them Freedom
(Even If It Makes You Nervous)
Third-graders at Rushville Elementary School participate in a field
trip for the Trout in the Classroom program. JUSTIN HAAG , NEBRASKALAND
And when kids start to see that discomfort isn’t a
dealbreaker, something shifts. They begin to realize
they can handle more than they thought, and that not
everything has to be perfect to be enjoyable. A visit near
the Platte River to see the crane migration is a perfect
example: It’s chilly, a little muddy, maybe not the most
comfortable, but still unforgettable.
Those are often the moments that stick the most.
Teach Them to Feel Capable
You don’t need to turn every outing into a lesson, but a
little knowledge goes a long way. Show them what poison
ivy looks like. Point out animal tracks. Talk about why
certain animals and plants are found and grow where they do.
It’s hard not to hover, especially when you know all the
things that could go wrong. But confidence doesn’t come
from everything going perfectly. It comes from trying,
adjusting and realizing, “I can handle this.”
Let them climb the slightly-too-high rock, even if it
takes a few tries to find the right foothold. Let them figure
out how to cross a shallow stream, testing which rocks are
steady and which ones wobble. Let them wander a little
ahead on the trail (within reason), so they can feel what
it’s like to lead instead of follow.
Those small moments of independence matter. They’re
where problem-solving starts to click. Where balance
improves. Where decision-making begins to feel natural
instead of scary. And yes, sometimes it means scraped
knees, wet socks or taking longer than you planned. But
it also means raising kids who trust themselves — who
aren’t afraid to explore, try again and keep going, even
when something feels just a little bit hard.
You Don’t Need All the Answers
One of the best things you can do is admit when you don’t
know something.
“What kind of bird is that?” “I’m not sure, what do you
notice about it?”
That back and forth builds more curiosity than having a
perfect answer. It shows kids that not knowing isn’t a dead
end — it’s a starting point. And it gives them permission to
wonder out loud, make guesses and even be wrong without
feeling shut down.
It also changes your role. You’re no longer the one leading
with all the answers. Instead, you’re exploring together.
And that shared discovery is often what is most memorable
and meaningful for both of you.
Make the Outdoors a Part of Your Life, Not a
Big Event
The biggest shift happens when being outside isn’t a
big “special trip.” It’s just something you do. A quick walk
after dinner. Ten minutes in the yard. A weekend stop
somewhere familiar.
In Nebraska, the landscape changes constantly. Go to the
same spot in spring, summer, fall and winter, and it will be
completely different every time. Kids start to notice those
changes, and that’s when they really begin to connect.
Why This Is All Worth It
When kids feel comfortable outside, everything changes.
They’re more willing to explore, they become more observant
and just more confident in general. And maybe most
importantly, they start to care about the animals, the land,
the seasons — everything that makes Nebraska what it is.
You’re not just raising kids who can handle the outdoors.
You’re raising kids who feel like they belong in it. They learn
that the outdoors isn’t something to avoid — it’s something
to be a part of.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
17
In the Field
Catfish, Greens
and Cheesy Grits
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
Freshly caught catfish is a summer treat. Coat it
in cornmeal to fry and then add tender greens and
creamy grits on the side, and that’s a great meal.
I can never make collard greens and grits as
well as Southern cooks. A trip down to Savannah,
Georgia, last fall taught me that — who knew
grits can taste so transcendent. I also realized
how difficult it was to find quality stone-ground
grits at grocery stores near me, where the only
options are typically Quaker Oats. So, I used
Quaker Oat’s Quick 5-Minute Grits when writing
this recipe.
I recently found delicious dried hominy grits
from the Miller Dohrmann Farm in Omaha. If you
go this route, adjust the cooking time and method
accordingly.
Bacon, not traditional ham hocks, are in my
collard greens recipe. Perhaps it’s sacrilege. But
it’s also a lot less fussy than simmering ham
hocks for a long time.
Servings: 4
Prep/Cooking Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Ingredients
• 4 catfish fillets
• 1 10 oz. of Louisiana Fish Fry Breading
• 1 pint of buttermilk
• Frying oil
• Hot sauce
• Lemon wedges
Collard Greens
• 2 large bunches of collard greens
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 tbsp. of olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 cups of chicken stock
• ¼ tsp. white sugar, plus extra
• 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
• Salt
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Nebraskaland • July 2026
Cheesy Grits
• 1 cup of 5-minute quick grits
• 4 cups of water
• Shredded cheddar cheese, to taste
• Salt
1. Pull stems off collard greens and triple rinse
leaves to remove dirt and grit. Roughly chop the
leaves. Allow to drip dry in a colander.
2. Trim off dark or red areas on catfish fillets.
Place fish in a zip-close bag and submerge with
buttermilk. Keep cold in the refrigerator.
3.
To make the collard greens: In a large, deep
skillet or medium pot, add chopped onion and
bacon and cook over medium to medium-low
heat until translucent and rendered, stirring
frequently. Then add garlic and pepper flakes
and sauté for 30 seconds. Add chopped collard
greens to the pot. If your pot or skillet isn’t big
enough, add the greens in stages as they wilt,
and increase heat as needed. Add chicken stock,
cover and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until
tender, stirring occasionally. Finally, stir in sugar
and vinegar to help counter the bitterness of the
greens — add more sugar if needed. Season with
salt. Keep warm.
4. To make grits: Boil 4 cups of water in a saucepan.
Gradually stir in grits and simmer until tender,
stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Take off
heat and stir in cheese to melt. Season to taste
with salt. Keep warm. If needed, reheat on low
with a splash of water to loosen grits.
5. Heat frying oil to 350°-375° Fahrenheit. Rinse off
buttermilk from the catfish and coat with the fish
fry breading. When the oil reaches temperature,
fry breaded fish until golden and crispy on both
sides. Serve catfish immediately with collard
greens, grits, hot sauce and lemon wedges.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
19
Although Nebraska is home to a
diversity of wildflowers, it took
By Gerry Steinauer, Botanist
nearly half a century for them to
take center stage in Nebraskaland.
BACKGROUND FLOWER ILLUSTRATIONS
BY MICHELE ANGLE FARRAR
20
Nebraskaland • July 2026
Celebrating 100 Years of
Nebraskaland Magazine
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
21
I
n 1926, when Outdoor Nebraska was first published,
conservation in Nebraska and across the United
States was still in its infancy. Following the
Homestead Act of 1862, settlement of the state
began in earnest, and in the decades that followed, game
and fish were overharvested while their habitats were
degraded by the plowing of prairies, cutting of woodlands
and draining of wetlands. Many people depended on deer,
elk, pronghorn, waterfowl, grouse and fish for food, and
for some hunting and fishing was a form of recreation.
As these wild animals declined, Nebraskans took notice
and pushed for protection. Outdoor Nebraska reflected
both public interest and the mission of the then-called
Nebraska Game, Forestation and Parks Commission, and
most of its content was devoted to game and fish.
At the time, nongame creatures — including wildflowers
— drew little attention, receiving only a few sentences in
the magazine. As their decline continued and ecological
awareness grew, people began to take notice. As Outdoor
Nebraska transitioned to Nebraskaland in the mid-20th
century, those brief mentions gradually grew into beautifully
illustrated feature articles.
A Drought of Wildflowers
For wildflower and other nongame enthusiasts, early
issues of Outdoor Nebraska would have been a dull read.
It was a sportsman’s magazine, plain and simple. A 1927
issue, for instance, contained articles on new game and fish
laws, pheasant stocking, muskrat farming and game fish
propagation. Plants barely registered. People gave little
In 1959, associate editor Mary Brashier wrote Nebraskaland’s first
wildflower feature, “Flowering Fun,” helping set the stage for native
plants to appear more prominently in the magazine.
22
Nebraskaland • July 2026
thought to native plants, which were also in decline and in
need of conservation. When plants were mentioned, it was
almost always for their value as food or cover for waterfowl,
deer, quail and other game.
Case in point: The 1944 article “Nebraska’s Deer”
discussed deer diet in the Sandhills and referenced several
wildflowers. “The palatable shrubs [in summer] are redroot,
sand cherry, choke cherry, sandhill willow, buckbrush and
rose. … Soapweed and prickly pear cactus are eaten during
the winter months when other green feed is scarce.” In
another passage, the word “wildflower” appeared for the
only time that decade in the magazine. Change, however,
was on the horizon.
A woman’s perspective brought the first wildflower
articles to Outdoor Nebraska. In 1959 and 1961, associate
editor Mary Brashier wrote two short pieces: “Flowering
Fun,” illustrated with line drawings, and “Prairie a Bloom,”
illustrated with small black-and-white photos. The former
was a natural history piece; the latter encouraged travelers
to enjoy the state’s “varied” wildflowers: “The gay palette
of colors along the road are as much a part of your Nebraska
vacation as the first deer or strange bird sighted.”
Shortly after, Rachel Carson’s book “Silent Spring” drew
attention to the dangers of pesticides, and in 1970, the first
Earth Day brought national attention to environmental
issues. Nebraskans were becoming more aware of the
decline of nongame species, including plants and their
habitats. The magazine followed suit, and by the early
1970s, after it had become Nebraskaland, wildflowers were
finally taking root in its pages.
Brashier’s 1961 article, “Prairie a Bloom,” reflected her knowledge of
native plants and their habitats. The magazine would soon recruit
additional staff with similar proficiency.
BACKGROUND FLOWER ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICHELE ANGLE FARRAR
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
23
Digital cameras enable today’s
photographers to capture wildflowers
with extraordinary detail, such as
prickly poppy (right) and wild senna
(below right).
From 1971 to 1989, “Notes on Nebraska Flora” appeared
in Nebraskaland, alternating with the long-running “Fauna”
series. BUD PRITCHARD
After Pritchard’s retirement, Michele Angle Farrar’s colorful
paintings became a hallmark of the series. MICHELE ANGLE FARRAR
Pollinators, like this bumble
bee, have become a popular
topic in Nebraskaland.
Bud Pritchard’s detailed, lifelike paintings accompanied each
“Flora” article until his retirement in 1974. BUD PRITCHARD
Jon Farrar’s lyrical text formed the basis of the “Flora” series,
including the above article on blue-eyed grass. MICHELE ANGLE FARRAR
Scientific breakthroughs allow articles on subjects such as
ghost plant, a chlorophyll-free plant with the bizarre ability
to steal nutrients from soil fungi.
BACKGROUND FLOWER ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICHELE ANGLE FARRAR
Wildflowers Bloom
From 1971 to 1989, “Notes on Nebraska Flora” appeared
in the magazine, alternating with the long-running “Fauna”
series. These two-page articles, written by Commission staff,
covered plants ranging from trees to wildflowers. Longtime
illustrator Bud Pritchard’s detailed, lifelike paintings set
a new standard for Nebraskaland artwork and filled a full
page of each article. After Pritchard’s retirement in 1974,
renowned Nebraska artist Michele Angle Farrar’s supple,
colorful paintings, based on field observation, highlighted
the series.
Her future husband, Jon Farrar, joined the magazine staff
in 1970 and wrote for the Flora series. Trained as a wildlife
biologist but with a strong passion for wildflowers, he
devoured research papers and sometimes spent weeks in
24
Nebraskaland • July 2026
the field gathering photographs to accompany his precise,
poetic prose.
His groundbreaking effort was the 1990, 98-page special
issue “Nebraskaland Magazine — A Wildflower Year,” which
he wrote and photographed. The issue took readers on a
tour of Nebraska’s wildflower diversity, exploring species’
natural history and illustrating it with vibrant, naturally lit
photographs. As he encouraged readers, “So pull on a pair
of comfortable old walking shoes and stroll Nebraska’s four
seasons: through the brown grass Before the Spring, into the
Flower Fields of May, on to The Rush of Summer and The
Race Against Frost — A Wildflower Year.”
In the same year, the Commission published Farrar’s “Field
Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska and the Great Plains.” His
photographs — described as “works of art” by one reviewer
— and detailed plant descriptions set the standard for plant
field guides for years to come.
In the early 1990s, at a time when long features were more
common, Nebraskaland published three unique 16-page
lift-outs on rare plant communities: “Nebraska Saltmarshes:
Last of the Least” (1991), “Sandhills Fens” (1992) and
“Alkaline Wetlands of the North Platte River Valley” (1994).
These lift-outs explored the threats to and conservation
needs of native plant communities and their flora in new
depth, as exemplified in “Sandhills Fens”: “Fens are among
Nebraska’s unique natural features and contain some of the
state’s rarest plants. … [they] were thousands of years in the
making … and too valuable to lose in a century.”
Nebraskaland’s wildflower articles continue to evolve.
Compared to decades past, today’s writers have greater
scientific knowledge, the internet and digital cameras
that capture plants in extraordinary detail. Early Outdoor
Nebraska readers could not have imagined articles like my
2020 “Ghost Plant: A Thief in the Woods,” about a white,
chlorophyll-free wildflower that survives by stealing
nutrients from soil fungi, or Chris Helzer’s many pieces
on the intricate relationships between native plants
and insects.
From the short blurbs and line drawings of Outdoor
Nebraska to the feature articles and vivid photographs in
Nebraskaland, wildflower coverage has grown — and the
story is far from finished. N
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
25
Outdoor
Neb raska
WHAT TO DO IN JULY
By Jeff Kurrus
Some of the longest days of the year happen this month,
and there is plenty of time to fit in multiple outdoor
activities during the daylight. Take advantage of those
daytime opportunities, but don’t forget Nebraska’s starlit
skies offer recreational opportunities, too.
The last week in July is prime for night fishing,
culminating with a full moon on July 29.
N
No Telescope,
No Problem
From Visit to
Vacation
Visit this year’s Nebraska Star Party at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area
July 12-17. Even if you don’t own a telescope, there will be plenty of people who
do, and they will be more than willing to share.
Family activities are highlighted by a beginner’s field school that will teach you
how to explore the night skies — even in your own backyard.
During the day, the beaches of Merritt Reservoir offer places to dip your toes
in the water or bring your own boat. Lodging is also available. Find the complete
schedule at NebraskaStarParty.org.
Only 15 minutes away from my
house is Mahoney State Park, which
I visit often with friends and family.
But it wasn’t until I stayed there
overnight that I truly experienced
everything the park had to offer. I
encourage you to do the same. Think
of a place you usually spend your
afternoons and camp there overnight.
Or stay at a cabin. It’s an entirely
different experience when you don’t
have to rush back home before sunset.
NICK SAUVAGEAU, NEBRASKALAND
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
26
Nebraskaland • July 2026
Night Moves
Scout Now
Light Up the Lake
You don’t have to fish at night to
catch fish during the summer, but it’s
certainly cooler. People often think
fish stop eating during the summer,
but they continue to consume even
through the dog days. There is just so
much to eat this time of year. While
any night this month is a good time
to fish, consider the week of July 27
when there’s a full moon to make
your transition into night fishing. The
extra moonlight will be helpful.
Even though it’s buggy in the woods
and the wetlands, scout now. If you
find a deer trail in the middle of the
summer growth, get a trail camera on
that path to preview what the archery
season might look like. It’s also time
to start looking at public wetlands for
teal hunting spots. Look for out-ofthe-way locations that other hunters
will likely miss. Areas that are holding
water now stand a good chance to hold
water on opening day.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly
Fourth of July destination, take a trip to
Johnson Lake on July 3 for a spectacular
fireworks display put on by the Johnson
Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. The
show starts at 9:30 p.m., and while
admission is free, all vehicles require
a park permit. Plan ahead for camping
and boating options.
If you’re interested in shooting
your own fireworks at a park, check
OutdoorNebraska.gov for the latest
information on permissible areas.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
JULIE GEISER, NEBRASKALAND
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
27
Within the square meter of prairie marked by these flags, the author
found incredible beauty and diversity during his year-long project.
He photographed more than 300 species and watched innumerable
stories play out through the lens of his camera.
E X PLO RI N G TH E H I D D E N PR A I RI E
A Second Time
Story and photos by Chris Helzer
28
Nebraskaland • July 2026
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
29
I
This was not an inventory project, though. Photographing
spent much of 2018 staring into a small 1-by-1 meter
a lot of species was an important component, but the
plot of prairie in Aurora. My goal was to photograph
primary intent was to show people the diversity and beauty
everything I could find within a tiny area and show
of prairies. As a result, the most crucial, and enjoyable,
people how diverse and beautiful prairies can be. I was
aspects of my second year with that plot were the many
shocked by how well the idea resonated with the public, and
stories that played out in front of my eyes.
even more surprised by how much of a passion project it
Within those four flags, I watched orb-weaver spiders spin
became for me. I ended up writing a book, helping to design
webs and other spiders chase and catch prey without using
a museum exhibit, and even publishing an article in my
webs at all. I followed ants as they patrolled sunflower stems
favorite state wildlife agency magazine.
looking for “extrafloral nectar” and photographed milkweed
After 2018, though, I was done with that project. Whenever
bugs and their kids sticking their long mouthparts into
people asked if I was going to do it again, I was very clear that
butterfly milkweed seeds. After
it had been a fantastic adventure,
all the gorgeous, fluffy milkweed
but I was looking for new ideas
seeds had popped out of their
to explore. Then came the spring
pods and floated away, I learned
of 2024. Prairie Plains Resource
that open, empty milkweed pods
Institute burned the little patch
close up after being soaked by an
of prairie that included my
autumn rain — opening back up
square meter plot from 2018. Not
again as they dry. Who knew?
long after the burn, I wandered
I held my breath as a male
past and decided it would be
c o bwe b s p i d e r c a u t i o u s l y
interesting to see if the remnants
approached and mated with a
of my four corner flags were still
female spider and then scurried
there. I found them and replaced
quickly away to avoid becoming
them with fresh flags, thinking
lunch. I congratulated predatory
maybe I’d stop by the plot a few
tiger flies and long-legged flies
times that year to see what had
on successful hunts and later
changed since 2018.
zoomed in on my photos of them
A little over a week later, I
to identify what they’d caught.
found myself lying on the
After watching the wiggling
ground, photographing dew The author’s plot was located in a skinny strip of prairie near
the local animal shelter, a trailer park and the city waste site. “tails” of two spittle bugs
drops on fresh grass blades in
encased in frothy bubbles and feeding on sunflower stem
my old plot. A robin was hunting worms nearby, so I backed
juice, I realized that a small brown bug I’d seen earlier might
off a little, on the off chance it would work its way between
have been one of their parents.
those four flags. A few minutes later, the robin hopped right
In addition, I had a great time photographing glistening
into the square and posed for a photo. I was well and firmly
dew drops and framing wildflowers against morning light
hooked. I spent the next 12 months swept back up in a joyous
and once an evening rainbow. On one dark night, I waited
obsession. None of it felt repetitive. Every one of the 134
for a full moon to rise above the distant trees so I could
visits to my plot was a new adventure that yielded beauty,
photograph it behind the empty seed heads of Maximilian
insights and inspiration.
sunflower. On another, I sat and waited for lightning bugs
I ended up photographing about 321 different species of
to flash their green lights at each other from within my plot
plants, animals and fungi between May 5, 2024, and May
and tried, moderately successfully, to capture a photo of
4, 2025. I’ll probably never have an exact count because
them doing it.
it is very difficult to identify some insect species from
When I wasn’t at my plot, I found myself wondering what
photographs. Regardless, it was a much higher number than
I was missing. Multiple times, I went home after an hour or
the 113 species I photographed in 2018. I think the increase
so of photography and observation, only to return later in the
was partly because I visited more times (134 vs. 46) and partly
day to see if a mushroom had wilted or if the first sunflower
because the prairie was recently burned this time, making it
had opened. I scheduled meetings and appointments around
easier to see things on the ground. Most importantly, though,
weather forecasts, trying to make sure I’d have time to be at
I think I saw more because my 2018 experience had taught
my plot when the light and wind were favorable for photos.
me how to be a patient and keen observer. I started my 2024
Obsessed might not be a strong enough word.
project by building on what I learned in 2018.
30
Nebraskaland • July 2026
Freeloader flie s
One day in late June, I arrived
to find a crab spider feeding on a
captured honey bee. As I bent closer,
though, I noticed those weren’t
the only two creatures involved in
the story. A handful of small darkcolored flies were hanging around
on the carcass of the bee. It wasn’t
immediately clear what they were up
to, but some later research identified
them as freeloader flies, also known
as jackal flies.
Freeloader flies often show up
to feed on prey caught and killed
by predators like spiders, praying
mantises and other invertebrate
predators. They are most often seen
on prey that release a strong chemical
odor when attacked. Honey bees are
a good example of that, often using
airborne pheromones to warn their
sisters of danger. Freeloader flies
track down their food by following
just that kind of olfactory signal.
Freeloader flies feed on the carcass of a honey
bee captured by a crab spider.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
31
Head-clipping weevil
Head-clipping weevils girdle and
partially decapitate the flowers of
plant species such as sunflowers,
purple coneflower and compass plant.
They then lay eggs in the dangling
heads so their larvae can feed on
the soon-to-be decomposing plant
matter. Eventually, the flower head
falls to the ground and the larvae
dig right into the soil below the
plant to overwinter and reappear the
following year to repeat the cycle.
By girdling the flower stems, the
weevil dissuades other insects
from laying their eggs in the flower
because those competing insects
want their larvae to be able to feed on
seeds. Since no seeds will be produced
from a partially decapitated flower,
there’s no reason for those insects to
lay eggs there, reserving the flower
for the weevil’s own children.
I saw several examples of this in
my plot, including one sunflower that
looked like it had just been girdled.
When I peered up into the interior of
the hanging flower head, sure enough,
there was a weevil! I laid down on the
ground and photographed it from
below, but then also got another
photo as it crawled out — presumably
finished with its egg laying. Over the
next several weeks, I watched the
flower wilt and, eventually, drop to
the ground.
A head-clipping weevil emerges from a girdled
sunflower head, having just laid its eggs.
32
Nebraskaland • July 2026
A female lynx spider feeds on a long-legged fly.
This female guarded her eggs until they finally hatched and
dispersed.
Lynx prey and spider babies
A recently-hatched lynx spiderling.
A spiderling dangles from its silken thread.
I got numerous photos of female lynx spiders throughout
the year. Some were hunting and others were just basking
in the sun or sheltering in the shade. I didn’t see a lynx
spider every time I visited, but I saw one more commonly
than not. I assumed they were all different individuals but
hoped they weren’t.
One morning, I discovered a silken egg sac stuck to a
blade of grass and a female lynx spider clearly guarding
it from danger. Several days later, the eggs had hatched,
the mom was gone, and there were dozens of miniscule
spiderlings climbing, dangling and floating through the air.
I was inordinately happy for both mom and kids and had a
great time photographing the little goobers as they started
exploring their new world.
Yet another lynx spider baby.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
33
Nightshade gang
Black nightshade showed up in my plot in 2024 but
hadn’t been there in 2018. I’m guessing it appeared in 2024
because the prescribed fire allowed light to hit the ground
and stimulate germination of this annual species. I was
happy to see it, partly because nightshade and its relatives
have flowers that rely on “buzz pollination.” When bees
hang below the flowers and vibrate their wing muscles
at the right resonance, the anthers release their pollen
to shower onto the bee. I’ve never photographed that
phenomenon and figured it would be pretty neat to capture
it within my little prairie square.
Before I saw any bees visit the plant’s flowers, however,
a gang of blister beetles arrived in the plot and completely
decimated the nightshade plant. Over the course of a couple
of hours, they methodically ate every one of the leaves and
flowers, leaving only sad-looking stems. It felt like they
were staring at me while doing it, too, daring me to try and
prevent them. When they left, the plant appeared doomed
and it looked like my chance to photograph buzz pollination
wasn’t going to come. Oh well, I had enjoyed watching the
gang do their work and didn’t hold it against them.
The story doesn’t end there, though. Annual plants only
get one chance at life, so they are hard to kill. This one was
no exception, and those sad stems started producing new
leaves within a week, followed eventually by flowers and
fruits. The production of fruits meant the flowers must
have been pollinated, but unfortunately, I was never there
at the right time to see or photograph that process. That’s
not the blister beetles’ fault, I guess, but remembering the
way they stared me down, I blamed them a little bit anyway.
Black nightshade flowers before the gang arrived.
Blister beetles demolish a nightshade leaf.
An upside-down blister beetle chews away on a leaf tip.
34
Nebraskaland • July 2026
The aftermath of the gang’s appearance.
Last Day
The last day of the project was an
emotional one. As the evening sun
sank toward the trees, I searched for
anything I could find and photograph
before the light disappeared. An ant
was patrolling the small sunflowers,
maybe checking to see if they’d
started producing extrafloral nectar
yet. I found a few sedges that had
started to flower and photographed
their delicate, dangling anthers.
One of the last photos I took before
the sun disappeared was of a small
lynx spider perched at the top of some
Kentucky bluegrass flowers. She was
about the right size to have been one
of the tiny spiderlings I’d seen hatch
out the previous fall, but I’ll never
know for sure if she was. Regardless,
I wished her well and thanked her
for hanging out with me, using her
as a proxy for all the other amazing
organisms I’d met and marveled at
during the past year.
Finally, I packed up my camera
gear, swung my pack onto my back,
and walked slowly down the mowed
trail to my truck, reflecting on the
completion of my second yearlong joyful obsession. I glanced
back at the plot as I left, knowing
I’d probably never spend another
morning or evening lying in that
particular patch of grass. After all, I
was done with the project. It would
just be silly to do it again. N
I’d like to think this small female lynx spider
was one of those that hatched from the egg
sac in the plot the previous fall and that,
after surviving the winter, was ready to live
a successful life of her own in “my” square
meter of prairie.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
35
Building the spillway
tower at Kingsley Dam,
Dec. 21, 1937.
Building
Lake McConaughy
NSHS RG2114-4-162
By David L. Bristow, Nebraska State Historical Society
A model of the Morning Glory
Spillway. NSHS RG2114-7-9
36
Nebraskaland
• July 2026
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
37
K
ingsley Dam was the world’s second-largest
hydraulic-fill dam when it was completed, and it
created Nebraska’s largest lake. Its construction
provided jobs for hundreds of men during the Great
Depression. It brought irrigation, electricity and recreation,
and displaced an entire town. But the chain of ideas that
led to this massive project can be traced back to a few snow
drifts in a Phelps County cornfield.
C. W. McConaughy was a grain merchant who also served
as mayor of Holdrege. During a dry year he drove past a field
covered with drought-stunted wheat. But in some spots the
wheat grew tall and healthy. Curious, McConaughy asked
the farmer, who explained that the wheat thrived where
high snowdrifts had piled up the previous winter. Snowmelt
had soaked into the ground and kept the wheat alive during
the long, dry summer.
This gave McConaughy an idea. In 1913, he proposed
building canals to divert Platte River water during the
spring and fall when the river was high. The water would
soak fields in south-central Nebraska, like the snowdrifts
but on a larger scale. It was called “supplemental irrigation.”
McConaughy was soon joined by Minden banker George
Kingsley. The two men promoted the idea for years. It
was not easy to build support, negotiate water rights, and
secure federal money to build the Plum Creek reservoirs
they wanted. As other people got involved, the plan grew
and changed.
Construction of the first canals of the Tri-County
Project finally began in March 1936. McConaughy fired
a ceremonial “starting shot” for a huge dragline to begin
moving dirt. By then, he was the last surviving member
of the project’s original boosters. Later that year, he
resigned in protest from the Tri-County board of directors
when they decided to prioritize a huge reservoir north
of Ogallala rather than the Plum Creek reservoirs closer
to Holdrege.
Kingsleyville in 1937. The temporary village provided housing
for workers and their families. NSHS RG2114-4-11
Early construction of the dam, Aug. 24, 1937. Construction
involved moving more than 26 million cubic yards of earth.
NSHS RG2114-4-21
The Kingsleyville school in 1939. NSHS RG2114-0-15
The project had grown far beyond anyone’s original ideas.
In addition to the big reservoir, smaller reservoirs would
deliver water through the summer along more than 500 miles
of canals and laterals. And at the insistence of Sen. George
Norris, publicly owned hydropower would help pay for it.
The big dam was to be named for George Kingsley, who
had died several years earlier. Workers lived in a temporary
construction site village known as “Kingsleyville.” They
spent years pumping clay and riverbed sand to build the
3.5-mile-long-dam, covering it with rock riprap and building
the tower of the Morning Glory Spillway.
Workers prepare for the dam to move massive amounts of water.
NSHS 2114-4-117
38
Nebraskaland
• July 2026
An unusual crane used during dam construction. NSHS RG2114-4-72
Enjoying Lake McConaughy, circa 1950. While boating and fishing
were not the main purposes of the reservoir, the new lake
established itself as “the undisputed king of Nebraska waters,”
in the words of a 1973 issue of this magazine. NSHS RG2114-1-7
Several miles upstream, the town of Lemoyne was
relocated to higher ground before the spillway closed.
Buildings were dismantled and rebuilt at the new townsite.
Only foundations remained — underwater except during
times of extreme drought.
C. W. McConaughy died only a few months before
Kingsley Dam was completed. Before the dam was
dedicated July 22, 1941, the Tri-County board of directors
decided to name the reservoir in his honor. Disagreements
were forgotten as McConaughy was remembered as the
“father of Tri-County.” N
Learn more at the NSHS’s website at history.nebraska.gov
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
39
Io moth. GERRY STEINAUER
L
Eyes in the Woods
By Gerry Steinauer, Botanist
40
Nebraskaland • July 2026
ast June, while hiking a spring-branch canyon at the
Niobrara Valley Preserve in search of rare plants, I
was twice met by pairs of staring eyes. Fortunately,
they were not those of a stalking animal, but the eyespots
on the wings of moths.
One set belonged to an io moth perched against
the trunk of an elm tree, its inner hindwing eyespots
starkly obvious. The other belonged to a polyphemus
moth, its eyespots more subtle — almost camouflaged
among the streamside vegetation where it rested — and
noticeable only when I bent close to examine a plant.
These markings are designed to startle and deceive
predators such as birds and small mammals — or even
an unsuspecting botanist.
Named for its eyespots — patterns formed by pigmented
wing scales — the io (eye-oh) moth inhabits woodlands
across our eastern and northern counties. When at rest, the
eyespots are hidden by the yellowish forewings, helping to
camouflage the moth. When disturbed, however, it flashes
those glaring “eyes” by quickly raising the forewings.
Startled by the sudden display, an attacker may think
it has taken on something larger—perhaps even one of
its own predators — than it bargained for. This “startle
display” works because predators often hesitate before
attacking to gauge risk, allowing the moth a split second
to take flight or drop to the ground to escape.
The polyphemus moth, a giant silk moth, shares a similar
range and habitat in Nebraska with the io moth. Its name
comes from the Greek myth of the Cyclops Polyphemus,
reflecting the vivid eyespots on its inner hindwings and
smaller ones on its forewings. Like the io moth, it flashes
these markings if alarmed. These bright yellow “eyes”
may mimic the eyes of an owl — one explanation for their
effectiveness, as owls often prey on small mammals and
other moth predators.
Because the polyphemus moth’s wings are thin and
somewhat translucent, the eyespots show through to
the outer surface, where they appear less bold. When
the moth is at rest with its wings folded upright, only the
outer eyespot on the hindwing is visible. If disturbed,
however, it slides its wings apart, revealing its other
“eye” and making the display more convincing. When
perched in the open, it can fully extend its wings,
exposing the larger, more startling inner eyespots.
That eyespots have evolved in other species — such as
the luna moth, and the common buckeye and common
wood-nymph butterflies — demonstrates the value of this
strategy. The next time you see eyes in the woods, don’t
be alarmed — it may only be a harmless moth or butterfly
trying to deceive you. N
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
41
The
Science
Behind
Wildlife
Colors
By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist
H
ave you ever stopped to
wonder why some animals
are the colors they are? In
nature, color is rarely just for looks, and
nature never does anything by accident.
OPPOSITE LEFT: An American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
sits on a log. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
OPPOSITE RIGHT: A male indigo bunting (Passerine cyanea)
perches on a yellow wildflower bud. JACK CURRAN, NEBRASKALAND
ABOVE: A western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) sings on a
strand of barbed wire. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
RIGHT: A plains milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) slithers in the
sand in the Game and Parks studio in Lincoln. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
42
Nebraskaland • July 2026
Coloration is a tool, a messaging system
and sometimes, it’s a clever disguise.
Across Nebraska’s prairies, wetlands,
forests and streams, animals wear their
colors like survival gear — and each
color tells a story.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
43
Brilliant Blues
LEFT: An American bullfrog (Lithobates
catesbeianus) hunts on a private pond in
Sarpy County. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
BELOW: The greater angle-wing
(Microcentrum rhombifolium) is a large,
leaf-mimicking katydid. BRIANNA NUGENT
Vibrant
Greens
All around Nebraska, you’ll find green popping up
on insects, reptiles, amphibians and even some birds.
It’s a color that blends beautifully into our landscapes,
perfect for hiding from predators, sneaking up on prey,
or sometimes just standing out to say, “Hey, I’m toxic —
don’t eat me.”
Take the katydid, for example. These leaf-mimicking
insects are one of the best examples of natural camouflage.
Their green coloration doesn’t come from pigment alone.
It’s a combination of yellow pigments and blue structural
coloration. Their bodies are built in such a way that they
reflect light in the green spectrum, making them nearly
invisible among grass and foliage. Evolution has turned
them into little plant imposters.
Then there’s the American bullfrog, a widespread
amphibian found throughout Nebraska’s ponds, lakes and
slow-moving streams. While not as boldly patterned as
44
Nebraskaland • July 2026
some frogs, bullfrogs often display a green or greenishbrown coloration that helps them blend into the surrounding
vegetation and murky water. This camouflage is thanks
to specialized skin cells called chromatophores, which
layer pigments to produce their earthy tones. The upper
layer reflects blue light, and when combined with yellow
pigments underneath, gives the bullfrog its characteristic
green appearance. It’s an ideal adaptation for staying hidden
from predators, such as herons, raccoons or larger snakes.
But here’s the strange thing — there are no green
mammals. None. Sure, some animals like sloths look green
because of algae and moss growing in their fur, but that’s
more of a superficial coloration than natural pigmentation
present in their fur. Scientists believe it comes down to
the way mammalian hair is structured and how pigments
like melanin work. Unlike feathers or scales, fur just can’t
pull off a true green hue.
Blue may be rare in nature, but when it shows up in
Nebraska’s wildlife, it dazzles, often thanks to clever tricks
of light rather than pigment.
For example, the electric blue of a male indigo bunting
underneath the summer sun would make anyone pause.
But here’s the wild part: Indigo buntings aren’t blue. Their
feathers don’t contain blue pigment at all. Instead, their
coloration comes from microscopic structures in their
feathers that bend and scatter light called structural
coloration. It’s kind of like how bubbles or oil slicks can
shimmer with rainbow colors depending on how the
light hits them. Underneath, those feathers are actually
black or brown.
Even the bluegill sunfish, a common freshwater fish in
Nebraska lakes and ponds, shows off flashes of iridescent
blue, especially during spawning season. Males develop a
striking blue sheen along the gill covers and cheeks, along
with a deep orange belly, to signal dominance and attract
mates. In the water, that shimmer isn’t just beautiful, it’s
a status update, a territorial warning and a love song, all
rolled into one.
And then there’s one of my favorite unexpected flashes
of blue in Nebraska — the blue mud dauber, a wasp. These
solitary wasps are harmless to humans as they rarely
sting, and they happen to be stunning little insects. Their
bodies shimmer with a metallic blue or blue-black sheen.
You’ll often see them hovering near porches, sheds or
barns, searching for spiders to paralyze and stash in their
mud-built nests.
This brilliant blue comes from, you guessed it, structural
coloration. Just like birds and butterflies, their shiny
appearance is due to the way their exoskeleton is built. It
reflects and refracts light to produce that vivid, iridescent
color. There’s no blue pigment involved at all.
A bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is held by an angler at a farm
pond near Tekamah. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
ABOVE: Mud dauber. GETTY IMAGES
LEFT: An indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) perches on a limb at
the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park in Cass County.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
45
Radiant Red
Bold
Yellow
ABOVE: Crab spider on upright
yellow coneflower (Ratibida
columnifera). CHRIS HELZER
LEFT: A western meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta) calls at Box
Butte Reservoir State Recreation
Area. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
Red is one of those colors that instantly catches your
eye. In the wild, it rarely shows up by accident. Whether
it’s a flash of warning, a signal to attract a mate or a clever
form of camouflage, red is a powerful color that Nebraska’s
wildlife uses in some fascinating ways.
Red coloration usually comes from pigments —
compounds that absorb some wavelengths of light and
reflect others. One of the most common is carotenoids,
the same pigments that make carrots orange. Animals
can’t make carotenoids on their own, so they get them
from their diet. That’s why birds, such as cardinals or
house finches, with richer red tones are often healthier
and better-fed. That brilliant red is a signal of health
and vitality — only the strongest males can maintain
such vivid coloring, which helps them attract mates and
defend territory.
Insects and reptiles might use other pigments like
pteridines or ommochromes, which naturally produce red,
orange or yellow hues. Unlike blue, which is often a trick
of the light, red is usually true pigment — color built right
into the body.
Take the common milkweed beetle, for example. These
bright red beetles with black spots are a striking sight
on milkweed plants during the summer. Their vivid
coloration isn’t just for decoration — it’s a classic example
of aposematic, or warning, coloration. Milkweed beetles
feed on toxic milkweed, and their bodies store those
chemicals, making them taste bad to predators. That red
color screams, “Don’t eat me!” to birds and other hungry
animals, who quickly learn to avoid them.
And we can’t forget the milk snake, one of Nebraska’s
most striking reptiles. With its bold bands of red, black
and cream or yellow, the milk snake is a true showstopper.
This pattern is a classic case of Batesian mimicry, where
a harmless species imitates a more dangerous one. In
this case, the milk snake’s red and black bands resemble
those of the venomous coral snake, which doesn’t live in
Nebraska but is well-known in other parts of the country.
LEFT: A house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) stands
at a feeder in Chadron. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
BELOW: A red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus) sits
on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
When you think of yellow in nature, you probably
picture sunshine, flowers or maybe buzzing bees. Yellow
in animals usually comes from carotenoids — pigments
they get from their diet. Birds like the meadowlark and
goldfinch wear yellow thanks to these plant-based
pigments. In insects and amphibians, yellow can also
come from pteridines, or pigments made in their bodies.
But yellow can also be the perfect disguise, especially if
you’re a predator waiting to surprise your dinner. Enter the
goldenrod crab spider, a master of camouflage that uses bright
yellow to vanish in plain sight. These little spiders are named
for their ability to walk sideways like a crab, but it’s their colorchanging ability that makes them stand out or disappear.
Goldenrod crab spiders can shift between white and
bright yellow, depending on the color of the flower
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Nebraskaland • July 2026
they’re hiding on — usually goldenrod, black-eyed
Susans or sunflowers. That yellow isn’t just for show;
it’s for stealth. While a bumble bee or butterfly sips
nectar, the spider lies in wait, its yellow body blending
seamlessly into the petals until it grabs its prey with
lightning-fast front legs.
And who could forget the western meadowlark,
Nebraska’s state bird? With its bright yellow chest and
bold black “V” necklace, the meadowlark stands out
among the tall grasses where it nests and sings. Unlike
camouflage or warning, this yellow is all about visibility,
especially during the breeding season when males belt out
their flute-like song from fence posts or shrubs. In the bird
world, that bold coloring says, “This is my territory!” and
also helps to attract a mate.
ABOVE: A female milk snake photographed in the Nebraskaland
Magazine studio. (Lampropeltis triangulum).
JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND
July 2026 •
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47
LEFT: A fawn mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
hides in the Pine Ridge of Dawes County.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
BELOW: A white-tailed deer buck (Odocoileus
virginianus) peers through tall grasses.
JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
Earthy
Browns
and Tans
Not every animal needs to stand out. In fact, for many
Nebraska creatures, blending in is the name of the game
and that’s where earthy browns and tans come in. These
colors are the unsung heroes of survival, helping animals
disappear into the grasses, soil, bark and leaf litter that
make up their homes.
Brown in animals usually comes from melanin, the
same pigment that gives human skin and hair their color.
Melanin is super versatile. Depending on the type and
concentration, it can produce shades from light tan to
deep black. Most mammals, birds and reptiles rely on
melanin for their browns, which is why it’s one of the most
common colors in nature.
Take the iconic white-tailed deer. Their coats shift
with the seasons, from a rich reddish-brown in summer
to a grayer, duller tan in winter, perfectly matching
the changing colors of the landscape. This seasonal
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Nebraskaland • July 2026
ABOVE: Cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus) at Toadstool
Geologic Park in Sioux County. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
LEFT: A mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) stands on
a fence post in Dawes County. JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
camouflage helps them hide from predators, such as
coyotes or mountain lions, and sneak through dense
woods or open fields without being noticed. Even their
young fawns come covered in spots that mimic dappled
sunlight filtering through the trees — a perfect natural
disguise for staying hidden while mom forages.
Then there’s the eastern cottontail rabbit, whose
mottled brown and tan fur blends effortlessly with prairie
grasses and fallen leaves. Their coloration helps them
stay undetected from hawks overhead and foxes on the
ground. When danger approaches, these rabbits rely on
their camouflage and speed to escape.
Even birds use these muted colors to stay safe. The
mourning dove sports soft browns and tans that let it
fade into fields and open woodlands. When it’s perched or
nesting on the ground, those subtle earth tones reduce its
visibility to predators.
So,
Why Does
it Matter?
Color in the animal world is never just for show.
Whether it’s a warning, a disguise, to attract a mate or a
trick of light, each hue has a purpose. As we hike through
grasslands, wade through wetlands or sit quietly in our
backyards, taking time to notice these color clues gives us
a deeper appreciation for how perfectly tuned Nebraska’s
wildlife is to the world around them. N
July 2026 •
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49
Mixed Bag
Eastern Kingbird: This bird illustration, along with many others, was featured in John Janovy’s first story in
Nebraskaland Magazine that ran in the August 1976 issue, sparking his journey to write several books. See story on page 52.
JOHN JANOVY
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Nebraskaland • July 2026
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51
Mixed Bag
Nebraska’s Parasitologist
— John Janovy Jr.
By Julie Thomas
John Janovy Jr., professor emeritus
at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
is a world-renowned parasite ecologist.
He arrived at UNL in 1966 and began
running a laboratory at the university’s
Cedar Point Biological Station near
Ogallala, where his students spent
most of their time conducting field
research. The ir work
included studying the
movement and effects of
parasites on amphibians
and reptiles, Monogenoidea
f l a t wo r m s o n m i n n ow
populations in f lowing
w a t e r, a n d g r e g a r i n e
parasites of beetles.
Janovy grew up in
Oklahoma City and spent
much of his youth “messing
around” outdoors, stealing
away to explore vacant
lots and bike riding to Lake
Hefner where he fished and
ran traplines with friends.
His father, a petroleum geologist,
often invited him on oil well survey
trips — and fishing opportunities in
nearby ponds along the way. Janovy’s
mother, a voracious reader and
artist, kept the house full of books
and art supplies to support her son’s
interest in drawing birds. But of all his
scientific and creative opportunities
as a child, it was a toy microscope that
opened Janovy’s world.
Recalling the time his father soaked
some hay in a water jar until it was
full of paramecium, a single-celled
organism found in water, Janovy said,
“When I first looked through that
lens, I was hooked, and I’ve looked
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Nebraskaland • July 2026
at something through a microscope
pretty much every day since.”
The scientist also continued his
interest in drawing and painting birds
and is no stranger to Nebraskaland
Magazine. On a whim, he showed his
paintings to editor Lowell Johnson,
who liked his work. Janovy’s first
Nebraskaland story appeared in
August 1976 — a six-page spread
“Birds of the Field,” complete with
words and illustrations.
Afterward, Janovy realized, “I could
write a whole lot more about these
birds,” which led to the publication
of his first book “Keith County
Journal” in 1978, a recounting of his
adventures with graduate students
while studying parasitic life cycles at
Cedar Point. “Janovy is hauntingly
reminiscent of Thoreau,” his book
editor noted at the time.
As a professor, Janovy did not
s e p a r a te h i s e f fo r t s f ro m h i s
students, whom he finds enormous
privilege in interacting and working
with. In his 1994 book “Dunwoody
Pond: Ref lections on the High
Plains Wetlands and the Cultivation
of Naturalists,” the parasitologist
wrote, “Students are what makes
academic science one of the truly
noble professions.”
Janovy is remembered
among students for his
introduction of “Big Talk.”
During these informal
sessions, professor and
s t u d e n t s s h a re d i d e a s
and concerns in relaxed,
open-ended discussions
that encouraged unique
perspectives and forged
students’ confidence in
their abilities to ask and
answer questions. For he
believed that students
who can confidently ask
questions may be saved
from “parasitic ideas.”
Janovy is not only a respected,
award-winning scientist among his
peers, he’s also a diligent author.
Though retired, the Varner professor
emeritus has published more than 100
scientific papers and written 32 books,
and he continues to write daily.
Julie Thomas is a University of
Nebraska-Lincoln professor emerita
and a Nebraska Master Naturalist. To
celebrate our history of conservation
storytelling, Nebraskaland will feature
experts who have made a difference
for Nebraska’s wildlife and wild places.
Without their work, Nebraskaland
writers would have fewer stories to tell.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
53
Mixed Bag
Prairie
Rattlesnakes
A prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) assumes a
defensive position when approached on Pinnt
Road east of Chadron in Dawes County.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
By Justin Haag
It’s one of the most feared, and surely
misunderstood, animals in Nebraska.
The often-persecuted prairie rattlesnake
(Crotalus viridis) is one of four venomous
snake species that call Nebraska home, and
the only one in the western part of the state.
The prominent reptile resides in areas of short
grasses, rock outcroppings and shrublands,
primarily on the Great Plains and eastern
foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In Nebraska,
they inhabit the western two-thirds of the state
and a few northeastern counties.
In most circles, when these creatures enter
the conversation, so will well-worn anti-serpent
statements such as “the only good rattlesnake is
a dead rattlesnake.”
Those who are well-informed take a more
accepting approach to these creatures we’d
never see if they could just slither away from us
a little faster. Undoubtedly, they have even less
desire to have an encounter with people than
humans want to have with them.
Thankfully for people, this snake, which can
grow to 5 ½ feet long, was gifted with a tool for
letting us know it’s near, and it will usually do its
best to give a person fair warning.
True to its name, the rattlesnake has a
segmented rattle at its tail. It adds a new
chamber to the hollow keratin rattle each time
it sheds its skin, which happens about twice per
year. The rattles often break, however, so it’s not
an accurate way to determine age.
The cold-blooded creatures are most active
in warm weather and gather with other snakes
in hibernacula during winter. They can’t dig
and must take advantage of holes and cavities
existing on the landscape. During this period
of brumation, they don’t sleep but rather just
become lethargic.
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Nebraskaland • July 2026
Now, to address the rattlesnake feature that
people fear most. Rattlesnake bites are placed
in two categories: defensive and predatory. The
rattlesnake is a pit viper, meaning it has a heatsensing organ on each side of its triangular-shaped
head between the eyes and nostrils. This capability
makes them proficient ambush predators. Their
diet consists mostly of creatures such as mice,
ground squirrels, juvenile prairie dogs and groundnesting birds which are swallowed whole after
being incapacitated by venom.
Snakes are smart enough to know humans are
too big to swallow, and most bites to humans
and other large mammals occur when the snake
feels trapped and perceives danger. In these
situations, it coils up to protect itself and strike
if need be. Prairie rattlers don’t chase. If people
hear one, they can usually locate it and walk
around and away from it.
It’s believed that rattlesnakes often produce
little, if any, venom in defensive bites, saving it for
when the need to actually kill something for food
arises. Reportedly, at least 25 percent of bites to
humans are “dry” with no venom, and only 1 in
600 bites are fatal.
That’s not to say a rattlesnake bite is a pleasant
experience, especially those producing venom.
Venom damages tissue and, depending on the
person, the bite can lead to death in two to three
days, or even less, if left untreated.
Many myths and tales about what to do in the
rare case of a rattlesnake bite exist, so people
who spend time where the snakes do would be
wise to study up. The most important thing to
do is move away from the snake, stay calm and
get to a doctor as soon as possible, even if that
means calling an ambulance.
As with most wildlife encounters, one with a
rattlesnake will end peacefully if it is given space.
July 2026 •
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55
Mixed Bag
Celebrate
Nebraskaland’s 100 Years
By Renae Blum
Not many print publications accomplish Nebraskaland’s
100-year milestone. Following are seven ways you can
continue to enjoy the anniversary celebration.
Decorate your space with a print or memento
Buy prints and other Nebraskaland-themed items —
including tumblers and totes at ShopNebraskaland.com.
Visit Nebraskaland’s Durham Museum exhibit
See the highlights of Nebraskaland Magazine in person.
From June 20 to Oct. 18, 2026, The Durham Museum
in Omaha will host a special exhibit, “Nebraskaland:
Celebrating 100 Years Outdoors.”
The exhibit includes stunning photography, historic
magazine covers, interactive displays and original field
objects culled from Nebraskaland’s archives. Learn more at
DurhamMuseum.org.
Share a gift subscription
Know someone who loves
beautiful photography, reading
interesting articles and keeping up
on outdoor news? Give them a one-,
two- or three-year Nebraskaland
subscription. Visit SimpleCirc.com/
give_a_gift/nebraskaland-magazine.
Wear your support
with Nebraskaland merchandise
Pick up past collector’s editions
Follow on social media —
and share a photo or memory
Browse the Nebraskaland digital archive
Check out our new collection of
Nebraskaland Magazine merchandise.
This includes outdoor-themed
hats, shirts and hoodies that are
perfect for showing your outdoor
pride. Browse the collection now at
StockandRod.com/ne-game-and-parks.
Follow Nebraskaland on Facebook
and Instagram to see the latest stories
and incredible Nebraska photography.
Ta g y o u r s u b m i s s i o n s w i t h
#Nebraskaland100 or @nebraskaland
for the chance to be featured on social
channels or in the magazine.
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Nebraskaland • July 2026
Nebraskaland’s centennial is a great
moment to grab past special editions,
including “100 Years of Nebraska State
Parks” and “Beautiful Nebraska — a
Collector’s Edition.”
Search our entire collection at
SimpleCirc.com/Shop/NebraskalandMagazine.
You no longer need a hard copy to explore Nebraskaland’s
earliest years. All 100 years of issues are available digitally in
the newly expanded Nebraskaland Magazine Digital Archive.
Explore this resource at Archives.OutdoorNebraska.gov.
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
57
Portraits from the Past
Turkey Hunting in the 1960s
My father Duane Jones (on the
right) and Vance Toline show
their bird after a successful
turkey hunt in the mid-1960s
near Chadron.
– Mark Jones, Osceola
Gravel Pit Fishing, 1987 or 1988
These photos are of my father-in-law, Julius Weverka, and me taken in the
fall of 1987 or 1988 after an afternoon and long evening fishing a gravel pit
in Loup County. The smallest fish on the stringer weighed over 6 pounds, and
the ring on the stringer, where it was wrapped around the pole, gave out just
after the picture was snapped. I remember discussing, somewhat prophetically,
after one such trip how someday we’d look back on those trips as “the good ol’
days,” and we were right! Julius passed in April 2004.
The second photo was taken the same night. Most folks throw carp back, but
Julius knew a guy who worked at Joe Tess Place in Omaha who taught him how to
“score” carp for cooking. My mother-in-law, Lucille, also canned them, and we used
the meat like tuna or salmon.
– Jerry Davenport, Sargent
Send contributions to: Portraits from the Past, Nebraskaland Magazine, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 685030370. Or e-mail to Jenny.Wheatley@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. Please send ORIGINALS if possible for best reproduction.
58
Nebraskaland • July 2026
Coon Hunt near Bradshaw, 1928
The “Harlow Boys” at the end of a coon hunt on the family farm near Bradshaw
on Feb. 11, 1928. From left to right are twins Dean and Dewey, age 10; Glenn, my
father-in-law, age 6; and Russell, age 12. The dogs, from left to right, are Joe, Jack
and Tommy. Notes on the back of the photo indicate that one raccoon was 18
pounds and the other was 19 pounds. Glenn talked about the coon hunts from when
he was a boy and that he used a double-barrel .410 shotgun. I still have that old
shotgun. They sold the hides to a man in York.
– Tom Seidl, Lincoln
July 2026 •
Nebraskaland
59
The Last Stop
Deer in
the Dark
By Justin Haag
Having started my career using 35mm film, I have a lot
of appreciation for the conveniences of digital photography.
Some photographers get nostalgic about film, but this
dunce still has frightful memories about returning from an
event and toiling in the darkroom to learn every photo was
shot with the wrong settings. Or, even worse, accidentally
opening the back of the camera and ruining a whole roll. At
least once, I didn’t even have film in the camera.
Along with those situations being largely remedied with
digital, the greatest advancement in my career has been
a camera’s capabilities for capturing scenes in low light —
surely evident by the flood of images that comes to social
media whenever the Northern Lights make an appearance
this far south.
This photo of some pretty whitetails isn’t going to win any
awards, but I’m amazed I was able to capture it.
When shooting for my college’s newspaper in the 1990s,
film with 3,200 ISO was the most sensitive we could get.
It was expensive, and the result was grainy. The standard
was 400.
This image, captured as the deer caught a whiff of me
while approaching my blind about 15 minutes before sunrise,
was shot at 25,600 ISO. That’s eight times greater than what
we had in the ‘90s. In the past, I wouldn’t have wasted the
effort of pushing the button. Yes, this image has some noise
— formerly known as grain — but it’s usable … especially if
placed on black-and-white newsprint as my first published
photos were, and certainly if using the advanced denoise
capabilities of Photoshop as we’ve done here. In fact, this
photo is probably better than anything I shot in the “glory
days” of film.
Makes me wonder where technology will lead us. Before
long, we may be shooting wildlife photos, sans flash,
at midnight.
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