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.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Goose Pond Mountain Created Wetlands, 29 August 2008

We went looking for the Orb Weavers we saw last year, but we had no luck. We saw a different and equally as beautiful spider this time, also with a tiny little signature in its web. We did catch a glimpse of our Northern Watersnake as it slithered to safety from our curious toddlers, and we watched the frogs as they hopped into the surprisingly full pond.

Farmer's Market Fridays, 29 August 2008



Riding to Farmer's Market Fridays... FUN!!!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Kenridge Farm, 26 August 2008

It was certainly a hot day, but that didn't stop our 16 families (and about 35 people total) from joining us on our outing at Kenridge Farm. We spotted Tree Swallows and dragonflies up-close, and got great looks at a Monarch Butterfly caterpillar. Children and parents alike enjoyed searching for Milkweed Bugs on the leaves, and we had a couple of new "leaders" showing us the sights!



Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Goose Pond Mountain Created Wetlands, 06 August 2008

Kat talks about the wetlands today...
The crazy summer weather (rain one minute, sun the next) has forced us to cancel and reschedule quite a number of our outings, but we have been lucky enough to be able to get out at least once a week. Today we checked out the wetlands to see if the ponds have dried up and to see the Cicada Killer and Golden Digger activity. You have to check this out for yourself, even though seeing these insects in person can be intimidating. We actually got on video a Cicada Killer struggling to get its Cicada into its burrow. Usually the wasp can carry the Cicada right into the burrow in two seconds flat, but this particular wasp took a couple of minutes to get the Cicada in... allowing us to get it on tape. We also filmed a tumbling mass of Cicada Killers, perhaps trying to pair up so as to mate (we saw mating pairs as we walked further down the path). The rangers have repaired the part of the boardwalk that had been struck by lightning and Lily and Penelope took a little rest on it toe-to-toe, looking like mirror images, playing indentical twins for the day. Laurel and I checked out the wildflowers (New York Ironweed, Joe Pye Weed, Black Eyed Susan, etc), trying to capture the depth and beauty on film (which is virtually impossible), while the kids threw rocks into the water. It was pretty windy and we watched two sets of Monarchs and two sets of Tiger Swallowtails try to cling to the Joe Pye Weed (some of which were about 10 feet tall). Since we've had so much rain we saw plenty of fungus: Puffballs, some bright orange fungus growing on the boardwalk, Bird's Nest fungus, and Earth Star fungus. Check it out!








Friday, August 01, 2008

High Point State Park, 17, 25, & 30 July and 01 August 2008

This place is great! High Point State Park in Sussex has a pristine lifeguard-protected lake beach, with sandy and grassy areas, sunny and shady areas, a playground, a clubhouse with concession area, small crowds, plenty of accessible up-close wildlife, and just lots and lots of FUN! We've been trying to go each week. Today we celebrated baby Samantha's first birthday, too. It was a blast! Please consider joining us or taking your family on your own to High Point for a wonderful day.