Kenridge Farm, 17 September 2007

The end of summer can often fool people into thinking that their outdoor excursions are over, and that there is nothing really to see outdoors anymore anyway. This was absolutely not the case for the 13 families (and six sets of twins) that joined us on our our outing today. As we walked around the grounds of the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum's Outdoor Discovery Center we were treated to up-close looks at Monarch Butterfly caterpillars and Tussock Moth caterpillars on their milkweed leaves. We had such a large group, so some of our regulars took over pointing out these creatures to our participants today. Lorin and Scarlett held the Monarch Butterfly caterpillar on display as stroller after stroller rolled by. The fuzzy and bright tufts of the Tussock Moth caterpillar delighted Lily and Penelope, who wanted nothing more than to touch it. After our walk today many families had a different view of the end of summer. Though many might feel a sense of sadness looking at a flower pot of geraniums gone by, upon closer observation we can delight in being able to clearly see a Praying Mantis among the flower debris.