Kenridge Farm, 25 March 2008

The rolling hills of Kenridge Farm in Cornwall were inviting exploration, and a group of eleven nature strollers took up the invitation. Tree swallows dipped and red tails soared above as we pushed the strollers toward the pond. Our net brought up backswimmers, a dragonfly nymph and a small fish, probably a pumpkinseed. Several members of the group saw a muskrat enter its tunnels along the bank of the pond. Others strolled ahead and heard the call and watched the flight of the belted kingfisher. A bench along the banks of one of the larger ponds provided a nice rest stop for a toddler snack break.

On the return hike the two groups met up at a newly dug pond that was hosting a contingent of wood frogs, these masked amphibians were quacking it up, calling for mates with their characteristicly duck-like babble.