Wildlife in the Gunks

Over the past month, I have been able to get out into the field and assist with collecting phenological data about the flora and fauna on the Shawangunk Ridge. Along these field trips, I have been able to see some really cool natural history finds! Check 'em out!

TheChristyBel

Blistered Rock Tripe (Left) and Smooth Rock Tripe (Right)
Lichen that can be found on the Shawangunk Conglomerate
Normally, you find it dry, brittle, and brown. When wet, it becomes flexible, shiny, and GREEN!

Red-Spotted Newt - Red Eft Juvenile

Adult & Juvenile Red-Spotted Newts

Five-Lined Skink

HUGE Snapping Turtle at Duck Pond

Fly Brook with Huge Beaver Dams 

Wild Turkey!

Peregrine Release at Sky Top

Today, we discovered that the Department of Environmental Protection of New York and the raptor Trust of New Jersey were releasing a Peregrine Falcon at Sky Top today. It was a cool site to watch as this bird got banded and was able to stretch its wings and fly!

TheChristyBel

Beautiful Raptor!

Getting Banded

About to be Released!

28 & A New Home

Happy 28th ChristyBel!

For my 28th Birthday, we really did not do anything too special - we did most of my celebrating back in Delaware the week before. But, oh yea, we moved into our new apartment! We found this awesome set up through Wendy Toman. We are living in this 2-story house that is incredibly energy-efficient (solar panels, wood stove, etc). It is pretty open with 2-bedrooms and a mother-in-law studio above the garage (which our landlord uses every once in a while). Other than that, the rest of the house is ours to use! Not to mention there is a huge yard and garden on the property. We are also across from a farm where they sell local meat, milk, eggs, cheese, honey, and a CSA! Pretty sweet deal! The whole birthday was filled with moving in and unpacking. It was pretty exhausting, but we still took sometime to celebrate with apple cider donuts and wings! :)

TheChristyBel

The House Part

The Garage

The Garden

Living Room

Another Perspective of Living Room & Part of Kitchen

The Loft/Mast Bedroom! (The Entire Second Floor)

Bathroom

Guest Bedoom - Aka Storage Room (for now)

Kitchen

Teaching at Mohonk Preserve

Mohonk Preserve has received a grant to work with the San Miguel Academy's students all year-long! Each month these gentlemen (6th-8th grade) come out and participate in STEM-focused programs all over the Shawangunk Ridge. I was able to observe a few programs so far. Below are photos from our Sense of Place and Climate Change programs. The SMAN boys were able to explore and view raptors at our Hawk Watch station, collect soil samples, and learn more about the geology and creation of the ridge! Enjoy!

TheChristyBel

Viewing Raptors at the Hawk Watch on Top of the Near Trapps

Collecting Soil Samples

At First I Thought These Were Petrified Wood!
But They Are Glacial Striations When Rock is Grinding Against Each Other

Sitting on Top of the Ridge on Top of Shawank

Visit Down to Delaware

Had to Buy Some Waders for Pond Keepers

This weekend, I drove Marc and I down to Delaware to visit with my family and to catch up with some friends to celebrate my birthday (a little early). While back in the First State, I showed Marc around DE, introduced him to my brother and friends, took him to Longwood Gardens, and of course...went to Home Grown!!!!! It was a nice weekend back in Delaware. I also said goodbye to brother before he moved to San Francisco to work for a drone company called Airware! Super proud of him! Here are some highlights from the Delaware Trip!

TheChristyBel

A Home Grown Grilled Cheese!

Marc Nerding Out at Longwood Gardens!

The Longwood Ponds - Beautiful!

I've Missed the Longwood Bonsai Trees!

Welcome to New Paltz, TheChristyBel

On Top of the Lemon Squeeze at Mohonk Mountain House
You can see the Ridgeline here! Beautiful!

So, Marc and I have been back east for a few weeks now. I am still learning about my job, the Preserve, and this place pretty much everyday. But I am loving it! It is of course challenging, but I am just super happy to be really using my degree and really eager to be teaching school programs again! Here are some pictures of what I have been up to so far:

Coming Home to Find Marc and Garrett Playing Video Games
Marc is a pure role model for this 13-year old! Oh boy!

We can see the Catskills from our Spring Farm Trailhead location!

I am an official staff member of the Mohonk Preserve!

It's Official - Staff Shirts, Letter of Hire, and a Business Card!

Learning About Pond Keepers - And Enjoying the Story Time

This is Half of My Job - The Conservation Science Dept's Homebase is at the Daniel Smiley Research Center.
A building at the Mohonk Mountain House!

Saying Hello to One of my Favorite Trees - Sassafras!

Pickerel Frog at Duck Pond

Amphibians!!!

Hanging Out with Frisco, the Cool Pup!