Author: Trevor, Bemidji State University

Location: Bemidji campus

Weather: Cloudy, about 45 degrees, and windy from the east

I've noticed that now almost all the leaves have fallen and the temperature is dropping. There has been a steady weather pattern of rainy wet weather for the past week about. The rain we have gotten has been used up by the very dry ground and semi drought conditions. Many of the tamarack trees are yellow and the needles are falling. The late goose migration seems to be going on pretty heavily as well. There has been occasional frost but with the rainy weather it has subsided for a time.

Author: Amy, Grade 12, Bemidji State University

Location: Trail near Walker, Mn

Weather: 35 degrees, cloudy

The walk I took today felt very different from the last time I recorded my observations (about a week ago). The woods were eerily quiet - the sounds of birds and the movements of squirrels and other animals were absent. The leaves have pretty much completely fallen. A few snowflakes were coming down. I noticed something growing on a few tree branches that was black and, to put it bluntly, looked like poop. From what I've gathered it looks like a fungus called "black knot". It is said to be a serious disease that affects plum and cherry trees throughout the U.S. While I'm not an expert in identifying trees, I doubt what I was seeing was a plum or cherry tree. If anyone knows more about it, feel free to comment on my post.

Author: Andrew, Grade 4, Bemidji State University

Location: Bemidji Lake, Bemidji

Weather: Cloudy, 30 degrees

I am writing this journal entry a little late because of the snow has melted. Here in Bemidji, the snow fell furiously on this last Saturday night. The snow reached a couple inches and everything around me seemed to get quiet. It was tranquil and beautiful. I noticed however that the animals were scarce. Since snowfall, I have not noticed any rodents running around or birds flying. There is an occasional deer spotted on the side of the road but not nearly as many as before the snowfall. Where do all of these animals go? Which animals hibernate? Which animals burrow? Which animals are lively throughout the winter months, if any? The answers to the following questions would be greatly appreciated.

Author: Zach, Bemidji State University

Location: County Rd 9 off lake Plantanganet

Weather: Clear skies, cool wind and temperature

While me and a few friends were out grouse hunting on Sunday we came across a swamp full of tamarack trees. All of the trees had finally turned brown and about half of them had shed most of their needles. We could not see all the needles on the ground because the night before we had gotten our biggest snowfall of the year so far, it was about 2 inches. we could see though that there we a lot of tracks from animals like squirrls and possibly rabbits that had been running around in the snow. Most of the snow that we had gotten has pretty much melted since in has warmed up a little bit in the last few days.

Author: Brittany, Grade 12, Bemidji State University

Location: Surrounding areas of Bemidji

Weather: Slightly overcast and cool, foggy outside from ash

Lately there have been reports of a wildfire from the Northern end of Beltrami county. I assume the fire gained so much momentum because of how dry it's been lately. I walked outside around 1 pm and noticed that the air was very ashen, and after exploring my neighborhood a bit realized it smelled like smoke everywhere I went. The fires were so strong that there were reports of the smoke and smell all over Bemidji.

Referenced link to Grand Forks Herald

Author: Zach, Bemidji State University

Location: Bemidji Mn

Weather: Cloudy, snow and rain mix, heavy wind gusts

Today was the first day that we got snow for the year. The early morning was in the low 30's and there were heavy wind gusts. The snow fall wasn't uncommon for this time of year but it was a little early. The snow that stuck will probably stay for a day or two then it will probably warm up and melt most of it off. The snow is very heavy and wet because of the fact that the temperature is still on the warm side but just enough for it to make snow. with the heavy wind gusts most of the leaves that had changed color are now spread across the ground since they were blown off of the trees.

Author: Leah, Grade 11, Bemidji State University

Location: Bemidji State University

Weather: Windy and snowing outside. Very cold.

Wow! There has been some crazy weather going on in Bemidji the past few days. Yesterday morning when I woke up, there was fog everywhere. The smell of smoke was everywhere! It was all over the campus, it was even inside the buildings, classrooms, and dorm rooms. You could not see much because the fog was thick and everywhere. Then this morning I woke up and look outside my window. Outside the window I see snow falling down super hard! The weather today is freezing cold! Snow is falling at an angle. It is hard snow, almost like sleet and hurts when it hits your face. There is a strong wind. The weather in Minnesota is crazy! I cannot believe that one day can be so dry that forest fires are occuring and then the next day it is so cold that snow is falling like crazy! Welcome to fall in Bemidji :)

Author: Amy, Bemidji State University

Location: Heartland Trail, Walker, Mn

Weather: 54 degrees, Sunny (clear)

On my walk today I noticed some changes taking place in the trees. Leaves are beginning to fall and the needles on some pine trees are starting to yellow and also fall. The Minnesota DNR reports that the area has reached 25-50% of its fall color, but I think the process is being speeded up by the recent cool weather and strong gusts of wind. I observed three turtles basking in the sun on logs in a small pond. I researched the sunbathing habits of turtles and learned that turtles of several different species will sunbathe together, sometimes stacked on top of each other (as they were when I observed them). When one of the turtles decides to go back into the water, they all go - whether they are ready or not (information from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park website).

Author: Miranda, Grade 12, Bemidji State University

Location: Bemidji State University (Campus)

Weather: NA.

Today, September 22, 2012 We went for a walk around my parents' house west of Bemidji. It was 45 degrees Fahrenheit with a 15 mph Northwest wind. Many of the trees have started to turn now, several of the Maple varieties as well as some Red Oak. The Sumac and Dogwood leaves have started to drop. The common Goldfinch has started to turn from bright yellow to mousy brown, and many of the other birds have already left. However, the red-breasted and white-breasted Nuthatches are here to stay, as well as the Pileated Woodpecker, who is pretty hard to miss. All of these things, as well as the browning of native grasses and gunshots in the distance shout of Autumn's arrival.

Author: Neithon, Grade 9, Washington Technology Magnet School

Location: St. Paul, MN

Weather: Cloudy no wind 50 degrees farenheit.

They're were trees bristling, broken branches on trees, tons of leaves, litter everywhere, broken trees on the ground, I heard the sound of a chainsaw chopping trees, and berries hanging everywhere.