Tinlid Hat Company

09/09/2026

Michigan skies are expected to be busy tonight as an estimated 13.4 million birds migrate over the state during their annual journey south.

Fall migration is underway across North America, with huge numbers of birds leaving breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States as temperatures cool and food becomes less abundant. Many will eventually reach wintering grounds in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America.

Michigan sits along an important migration corridor. The Great Lakes have a major influence on how birds travel through the region, with large bodies of open water shaping their routes and concentrating movement along shorelines and across the state’s peninsulas. Michigan’s forests, wetlands and coastal habitats also provide important places for migrating birds to stop, feed and regain energy before continuing their journeys.

Much of this movement happens without us ever seeing it. A large percentage of migratory bird species travel at night, when conditions can be cooler and calmer. Scientists are able to track these movements using weather radar, which detects enormous numbers of birds moving through the atmosphere after sunset.

During particularly heavy migration nights, residents are encouraged to turn off unnecessary outdoor lights and close blinds or curtains when possible. Artificial light can attract and disorient migrating birds, increasing the risk of collisions with buildings.

09/07/2026

A private developer is seeking permission to build a road through Yosemite National Park. 🏔️

Nevada-based Kingsbarn Realty Capital owns 83 acres just outside Yosemite’s western boundary in California. The company is pursuing a land deal with the National Park Service that could allow it to build a short private road through park land, connecting its property directly to Highway 120.

The property, formerly known as Hazel Green Ranch and now called “Sanctuary at Yosemite,” was purchased by Kingsbarn in 2024 for $4 million. Currently, the property’s access road is more than 10 miles from a Yosemite entrance. The proposed road would create a much more direct connection near the park’s Big Oak Flat Entrance.

The proposal could involve either a land swap with the National Park Service or an easement allowing the developer to construct the road across federal land.

A previous owner of the property attempted a similar project, but that effort was ultimately blocked in court. The idea has now resurfaced and reportedly has support from the Trump administration.

The proposal has drawn criticism from former Yosemite officials and conservation groups, who argue that allowing a private development to gain special access through national park land could set a troubling precedent for public lands.

Kingsbarn argues that the road could actually reduce environmental impacts by shortening the distance residents of the property would need to drive to reach Yosemite.

The National Park Service says no final decision on the proposed land deal has been made.

Kingsbarn is also behind a controversial proposed development at Lake Tahoe’s Kings Beach that includes a luxury hotel, townhomes, retail and commercial space, and workforce housing.

09/06/2026

Isle Royale has closed tent camping at four campgrounds because of increasingly bold wolf activity.

Beginning August 28, Isle Royale National Park prohibited tent and hammock camping at Three Mile, Daisy Farm, Moskey Basin, and Caribou Island campgrounds for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The reason? Wolves have become increasingly interested in tents and camping gear. According to the National Park Service, wolves have been reported pawing and digging at tents, entering them, and dragging away backpacks and sleeping pads.

This isn’t the first warning sign. Earlier this summer, wolf activity prompted temporary campground closures after wolves began showing signs of becoming accustomed to people and associating campsites with food. Isle Royale has since tightened its food storage rules, requiring food, trash, and scented items to be kept in designated lockers or approved hard-sided containers.

The four campgrounds themselves remain open, and their 32 shelters can still be used. But their tent sites, group sites, hammock camping, and nearby off-trail camping zones will remain closed through the end of the park’s season on October 31.

Isle Royale is home to one of the most famous wolf populations in North America, and encounters between wolves and people remain relatively unusual. The closures are intended to protect both visitors and the wolves by preventing the animals from becoming further accustomed to humans and human food.

09/05/2026

These are 10 of the best towns and regions in the U.S. to experience peak autumn color:
1. Hudson Valley, NY – rolling hills, historic river towns, and unbeatable October scenery.
2. Upper Peninsula, MI – rugged wilderness, waterfalls, and fiery maples overlooking Lake Superior.
3. Snoqualmie Valley, WA – misty waterfalls and forested valleys glowing in autumn shades.
4. Bucks County, PA – picture-perfect covered bridges and pastoral countryside.
5. Bretton Woods, NH – the White Mountains wrapped in brilliant reds and golds.
6. Columbia River Gorge, OR – dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and sweeping fall views.
7. Red River Gorge, KY – sandstone arches and forest canyons alive with color in October.
8. Asheville, NC – Blue Ridge Parkway drives, vibrant mountain views, and cozy cultural vibes.
9. Stowe, VT – quintessential New England fall: winding roads, maple trees, and charm.
10. The Berkshires, MA – rolling hills, orchards, and artsy small-town escapes.

Peak foliage typically runs from late September through late October, depending on the region. Northern spots like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and New England usually peak earlier (late September to mid-October), while the Southern Appalachians like Asheville and Kentucky peak a bit later (mid to late October).

09/04/2026

The annual change in leaf color is caused by chemical changes that occur in deciduous trees as they prepare for winter.

During spring and summer, leaves contain large amounts of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for their green color. Chlorophyll plays an essential role in photosynthesis, allowing plants to absorb sunlight and convert it into chemical energy.

As daylight decreases and temperatures begin to fall in autumn, trees gradually reduce chlorophyll production. The existing chlorophyll breaks down, causing the green color of the leaves to fade. This reveals other pigments that were already present in the leaves, including carotenoids and xanthophylls, which produce yellow and orange colors.

Red and purple colors are primarily produced by pigments called anthocyanins. Unlike carotenoids, anthocyanins are often produced in greater quantities during autumn. Their development can be influenced by factors including sunlight, temperature, and the concentration of sugars within the leaves.

Weather conditions can also affect the timing and intensity of fall color. Sunny days and cool nights generally favor anthocyanin production, while drought, unusually warm temperatures, or early freezes can alter the duration and appearance of the season.

Eventually, trees form a layer of cells at the base of each leaf stem known as the abscission layer. This gradually cuts off the movement of water and nutrients between the tree and the leaf. The leaf eventually separates and falls, while the tree enters a period of reduced metabolic activity during winter.

05/19/2026

04/21/2026

Congress has voted to overturn a mining ban in northern Minnesota’s Superior National Forest that was put in place in 2023 and was set to last 20 years. Full story in comments below. 👇

04/21/2026

Only 10 in stock! Conservation In Progress now available.

04/20/2026

Available now! Shop via link in bio or the Meta shop. 🌲

04/18/2026

Half Dome. 😍

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