This Week in Nature

Welcome to This Week in Nature, a new weekly feature on what’s happening in the natural world in Minnesota, so that you’ll know what to look for when you head outside.

The bright, pillowy mushrooms named “chicken of the woods” sprout after rains this time of year. While morels might get the lion’s share of love when it comes to Minnesota mushrooms, late summer — not spring — rules as the most prolific time to forage edible mushrooms. Chicken of the woods ranks among the best beginner finds whether you harvest them or simply enjoy the visual spectacle. Look for ruffled layers of deep yellow and orange (also called sulfur shelf) on the sides of trees. Chicken of the woods can be sautéed, marinated and grilled, or deep-fried.

Find a patch of prairie or gardens with native plants to catch blooms of liatris, also known as blazing star or gayfeather. Keep a camera handy to catch the butterflies and wide variety of bees drawn to them.

Keep an ear out for cicadas as they crank up their dental-drill soundtrack. Minnesota’s dog-day cicadas, also called annual cicadas, emerge once a year. The high-pitched sounds come from the males hoping to attract females. Look for them on the sides of trees, fences and buildings as they molt.