Ken Lassman has been keeping this almanac for over a decade, He invites you to share your observations and photos in the comments section. You can find his book Wild Douglas County at The Raven Bookstore and The Community Mercantile in Lawrence.
Frost on Inside of Lodge Moon: January
Another name for this moon according to the Osage Indians of the area is Moon Stands Alone, which considering how cold it can be, makes sense as well. This is an excellent time of year to observe wildlife, though–because of the lack of leaves, the presence of snow or mud for leaving tracks in, and the tendency of many animals to move around in flocks and packs, Overwintering birds of many species gather into winter flocks, perched raptors looking for food, and the sound if not the sight of geese are regular sights if you spend much time outside.
This month is also a good time to learn different tree species by their buds, limb patterns and bark. It is also a good time to learn about the local geology using books like Rex Buchanan’s Roadside Kansas to determine the ages and names of various shales, sandstones and limestone outcrops along area highway road cuts.
The days are finally starting to lengthen, and winter sunsets are legendary in our part of the country, with the low angle of the sun lighting up the underside of clouds, setting the sky on fire at times. Cirrus clouds can create conditions perfect for sun dogs and other rainbow-like optical effects during the day due to the ice crystals. Blowing snow and clouds from snow showers can also create sun pillars near sunrise and sunset, where the sun becomes encased in a pillar of light caused by the light scattering action of millions of ice crystals.
Kaw Valley Almanac 
Within the past week, we have had the best sightings ever of three very large beavers in/along Overland Park streams. We look in earnest every single morning to see ‘something’ in the water, and have only caught glimpses of beavers a few times in the past two years, so it was amazing to see two on the banks (one cleaning itself, one climbing out to cut down a small leafy plant and swim off with it) as well as one one slowly swimming along. All were bigger than I would have ever imagined, seemed serene and didn’t appear to notice us?
A wood duck still had her six babies with her this morning, there have been six for almost a month. Four baby squirrels in my tree are starting to venture down to the ground more frequently. A baby snapping turtle (shell the size of a half dollar) was in the grass near a pond yesterday. A lot of bird activity at dawn on Saturday at Heritage Park; great egret, great blue herons, teals, indigo buntings, green herons, northern kingbirds.
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Sounds like great places to visit, Debbie. Hope they are recognized as great habitat by those folks who tend the areas! Feel free to upload pictures of on this website if you like, and thanks for sharing.
Ken
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