Hike to Duck Pond

Decided to take a stroll up to Duck Pond after work today. Warmer temperatures have been causing a lot of new phenology to pop up and emerge, so going out onto the land and catching it happen is a must right now! Here are some finds I found today:

Jack in the Pulpit in Full Bloom (it was also super large)

Northern Water Snake sunning itself in the only sunny spot in the forest.

The First Adult Dragonfly I have seen this spring
(Have seen a whole bunch of nymphs throughout the early spring due to Pond Keepers).

Mossy Head

Look who decided to pay us an upclose and personal visit during my 3rd grade Pond Study program at Duck Pond today! None other than our infamous friend, Mossy Head! This Common Snapping Turtle has to be the size of the seat of an office, swirly desk chair! Whenever it comes up close, I get super nervous with our students checking it out, but they always keep a good distance and Mossy Head never really gets too close. 

#RespectWildlife from a good distance!

TheChristyBel

Mossy Head Visits!

After Work Duck Pond Walk

I needed a brain break after work today. Decided to go hike on the Duck Pond Trail. What I anticipated being an hour hike ended up being more than two hours of nerding out over things I discovered along the hike. Check out some really cool highlights from my hike.

TheChristyBel

Trout Lily
(an East Coast favorite of mine)

Large Stonefly Larvae

Red Trillium Flower Buds

Red Trilliums in Open Bloom

An Adult Luna Moth that just emerged from its pupa

Gorgeous!!!
(a first alive find for me - I have always found them dead)

Bloodroot

The foundation of a house that Daniel Smiley built with his schoolmates...at the age of 13!

I mean, what types of things did you accomplish at 13 years old? Build a house?

I think I survived 7th grade...that was it!