UPS & DOWNS.  Clouds roll in this morning and then speed out this afternoon, bringing a chance for rain, but things will clear by evening.  Tomorrow (being Monday, of course) should be a great one, so call in sick!  We go around the horn in our Outdoors Update talking sage grouse, turtles and an upland spectacular.

Featured Photo:  EARS UP.  A trio of does work a fresh-cut hay field under the rising sun. Simonson Photo

 

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today:  Sun 7/21 – Clouds Then Clear – Hi 77, Lo 56, Wind N@6
Tomorrow:  Mon 7/22 – Perfection – Hi 80, Lo 60, Wind SE@6

 

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):

 

Sunrise        Sunset
6:10AM       9:28PM

 

Moonrise      Moonset       Overhead    Underfoot
Fol. Day        10:46AM      5:11AM           5:32PM

 

Moon Phase:  Waning Gibbous (80% Full)

 

EDGE HOUR:   5:00-6:00PM.  Moon underfoot, light winds and rain moving out should help with the weekend-ending bite in our Edge Hour.

DAY RATING:

 

OUTDOORS ROUNDUP:

SAGE ADVICE.  While numbers of observed sage grouse in North Dakota were up this spring, the state’s population continues to be low.  The Sage Grouse Initiative organization has a well-done website chock full of conservation ideas, rangeland management, and sage grouse news

TURTLE POWER.  There are five species of turtles that call North Dakota home.  While the painted and the snapper are the most common and easily recognized, the state sports two soft-shelled species and the false map turtle.

SUPER SIZED.  Pheasants Forever has released its annual Upland Bird Hunting Super Issue, chock full of great pheasant, grouse and other upland stories and photos. Of the organization’s quarterly magazines, it is by far the most popular – and thickest!