Nature Strollers

The mission of the Nature Strollers is to support parents and grandparents in their role as primary interpreters of nature for their families; to provide opportunities for families to enjoy unstructured time outdoors; to familiarize families with local trails, refuges, sanctuaries and preserves; and to develop networks among families with a common interest in nature.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Goose Pond Mountain Created Wetlands, 30 May 2007

Laurel reflects on our outing at Goose Pond...
Mom, Lorin and kids Dakota, Willow and baby Scarlett joined us on an afternoon jaunt around Goose Pond. Lorin admitted that the walk was really for her and had urged the kids to come along. It was no dull task for them however. Along with its familiar cast of creatures, the first pond held a surprise. Dakota discovered that many of the tadpoles had metamorphosed into froglets. Hundreds of these minute beings hopped like crickets all around the pond’s edge. We had to tiptoe to approach them and still we feared we’d steped on a few.
These early froglets were probably spring peepers as they retained some of their tadpole tail, though there is a probability that they were joined by some early transforming toadlets as well. Four gossamer wings lay on the banks where the froglets hopped. Bejeweled with dew, the dragonfly’s wings were all that was left of somebody’s dinner. Along the boardwalk, those who were not chasing runaway toddlers watched the common yellowthroat warblers as they flew back and forth from their nest.
On the other side of the preserve we looked for northern water snakes. While Sebastian introduced Willow to the praying mantis egg cases in the pine trees, Dakota stalked and captured a green frog. The adults were especially taken with its metallic golden eyes and because of the angle of the light we were able to see through its tympanum (eardrum) and notice what appeared to be a hollow chamber beneath.
The girls enjoying "their hill."

Common Yellowthroat.


Toadlets emerging! Can you find one? It's no bigger than the letter "C" in the Canon logo.

The male Northern Oriole keeping watch over his nest.

Dakota caught a Green Frog, and we had great looks.


Dakota's Green Frog. Look at the beautiful golden color underneath.


Sybil and her children arrive... they HAD to come see the toadlets!

Peeking in at little Scarlett.

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