6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary and Goose Pond Created Wetlands, 20 October 2006

It was "Two by Two" day for the Nature Strollers today! We had two outings on this gorgeous warm fall day.

At 6 1/2 Station Road, two moms (Suzanne and Kat), two boys (twins Jonathan and Nathan), and two girls (twins Lily and Penelope) met to see what there was at the Sanctuary. They were so excited to see a juvenile common snapping turtle... right on the path! Interestingly, the common snapping turtle was recently named the State Reptile for New York. Everyone stood for a while and looked at this state representative, wondering how old it was and if it, too, was out for a nature walk. Common snapping turtles mate and lay eggs in the spring and summer, and their hatchlings emerge in early September. We have learned (through experience!!) that some common snapping turtles can grow to 18 inches in length. This individual was roughly 6 or 8 inches in length, suggesting that it was a juvenile. Perhaps it was looking for its own territory to overwinter. We will have to do some research to learn more about these creatures, as they are proving to be a large part of our walks!

Later, for an impromptu last-minute outing (to make the most of the beautiful autumn day), Kat and the girls went out again to meet Laurel, Sebastian and Acadia at Goose Pond. They heard first and then saw a belted kingfisher (the picture didn't come out so well), which is a neat-looking bird that is commonly found fishing for food around ponds, lakes, and other wet areas. Kat once saw one at the catch basin at the Palisades Center Mall! The group also spotted a very large grasshopper, which Acadia delighted in announcing to everyone ("hopper! hopper!"). Sebastian befriended a cream-colored fuzzy caterpillar, which we will need to identify. They also caught some spotted tadpoles in the two larger ponds, and Acadia seemed to decide she wanted to kiss one. Perhaps she is looking for her prince! Does it count if you kiss a tadpole, or do you have to kiss a frog??