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.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Goose Pond Mountain Created Wetlands, 12 July 2007

Though only a month had elapsed since our last trip to Goose Pond, the landscape was quite different. The first pond (the toads' favorite) had completely dried up. Free from the confines of their strollers, our toddlers walked over what used to be the clear and cool breeding ground of the American Toad. The hot summer sun had caused it to turn into a cracked and dry mud flat. There were tracks of many different animals baked into the mud, making this spot just as exciting for us as if the toads were still here.
As we walked to the second and third ponds, we saw that the milkweed had grown quite tall. Rumor has it that this spot has the largest local population of Purple Milkweed (in addition to Common and Swamp Milkweed). This must be why the Monarch Butterflies love Goose Pond as mush as we do!
The sun was quite strong, and the moms and dads basked in it as the children ran up and down their favorite little "hill." We counted two Garter and three Northern Watersnakes enjoying the sun with us. Most of the butterflies and dragonflies were hidden, but we understood... it was HOT! We headed back to the cars to drink plenty of water and head home for dinner.



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